Nickel Potential Must Be Supported With Good Governance

Chairman of Indonesia MPR Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet) appreciated the signing of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in nickel ore mining. The signing was an agreement to take advantage of nickel’s potential to prosper the people of Indonesia, especially South Sulawesi.

“Nickel is a valuable treasure for the Indonesian nation. Which must be utilized to the maximum extent for the prosperity of the people. Therefore, the large potential of Indonesian nickel must be supported by good governance by various nickel processing companies. So that it can provide sustainable economic value for the people,” said Bamsoet in his statement, Saturday (1/4/2023).

Reported by detik.com, Bamsoet explained that natural resource management is an important development effort. Especially for Indonesia which has abundant natural resource wealth, such as nickel.

“In 2021, Indonesia’s nickel production will reach 1 million metric tons. It is estimated that 37.04 percent of the world’s nickel is in Indonesia. As much as 90 percent of Indonesia’s nickel reserves are scattered in Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi and North Maluku,” he said.

Based on LPEM FEB UI data processed from the Nickel Institute in 2021, Indonesia is recorded as the second country with the largest nickel resources in the world. The amount of nickel in Indonesia is 33.3 million tons or 11 percent. In terms of nickel reserves in the world, Indonesia is in first place with 21 million tons or 23.7 percent.

“According to Minerba One Data Indonesia, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in 2021, ferronickel production will be 1.6 million tons with sales of 1.03 million tons. Followed by nickel pig iron produced 664,746.8 tons with sales of 73,562.2 tons. Nickel matte was produced as much as 82,564 tons with sales of 69,620.6 tons,” added Bamsoet.