The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) acknowledged a gap between this year's national nickel ore production target (based on the Annual Work Plan and Budget/RKAB) and the total demand of domestic smelters. The Director General of Minerals and Coal at ESDM revealed that the nickel ore production quota set in this year's RKAB is approximately 260 million tons, while domestic smelter demand reaches 310 million tons.
He explained that the supply gap for smelters will likely be filled by imports from neighboring countries, mainly from the Philippines, with imports of about 15-20 million tons, and import permits have always existed. Additionally, the government is considering adjusting the nickel ore production quota in the second half of this year through the RKAB revision mechanism, based on current regulations and industry needs.
The government implements a nickel ore production restriction policy aimed at protecting the country's current nickel reserves of approximately 5 billion tons. He emphasized that controlling the production speed is crucial: it prevents nickel resources from being depleted in the short term (if unchecked mining continues, they could be exhausted in less than 20 years), while also maintaining global market price stability. The government will actively seek new nickel reserves while controlling production.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) acknowledged a gap between this year's national nickel ore production target (based on the Annual Work Plan and Budget/RKAB) and the total demand of domestic smelters. The Director General of Minerals and Coal at ESDM revealed that the nickel ore production quota set in this year's RKAB is approximately 260 million tons, while domestic smelter demand reaches 310 million tons.
He explained that the supply gap for smelters will likely be filled by imports from neighboring countries, mainly from the Philippines, with imports of about 15-20 million tons, and import permits have always existed. Additionally, the government is considering adjusting the nickel ore production quota in the second half of this year through the RKAB revision mechanism, based on current regulations and industry needs.
The government implements a nickel ore production restriction policy aimed at protecting the country's current nickel reserves of approximately 5 billion tons. He emphasized that controlling the production speed is crucial: it prevents nickel resources from being depleted in the short term (if unchecked mining continues, they could be exhausted in less than 20 years), while also maintaining global market price stability. The government will actively seek new nickel reserves while controlling production.