BRIN Chief: Mining Downstreaming Must Adopt Future Technology

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Arif Satria, has affirmed that downstream processing and industrialisation programmes in the mining sector must no longer depend solely on the short-term technologies currently available.

At the BRIN Goes To Industry 5 (BGTI 5) event, themed “Research and Innovation Downstreaming in the Mining Sector”, held in Jakarta on Tuesday, Arif reminded industry players that they must begin considering projections of future technologies so that the substantial investments poured in do not end up wasted due to the adoption of technology that quickly becomes obsolete.

“We must not undertake industrialisation and investment activities based on short-term technology. Building a factory or industry takes two to three years; by the time it is completed, the technology is already obsolete because new technology has emerged,” he said.

He encouraged the mining industry ecosystem to carry out mapping or forecasting of technology trends far into the future, at the very least to read the direction of industrial development in 2035 to 2040.

“We must use AI, experts, and the ability to read global trends, so that we can understand what technologies are likely to be used in the future,” he said.

This approach is targeted at mapping which instruments and trends will remain relevant in the mining and energy sectors over the coming decades.

Through close synergy between research institutions and mining business players, the Head of BRIN hopes that the mineral downstreaming process in Indonesia can proceed more effectively, remain highly competitive in the global market, and no longer lag behind the rapid innovation of developed countries.