Government Prepares Measured Relaxation for Coal-Nickel, This is the Purpose

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has assured that, to date, there have been no changes regarding coal production policies within the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB).

Nevertheless, the government is opening opportunities for production adjustments through a carefully implemented relaxation scheme. This comes as commodity prices are currently rising.

“I say, I say that first, there are no policy changes at all. But we will follow developments by implementing measured relaxation,” said Bahlil at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, quoted on Monday (30/3/2026).

According to Bahlil, this measured relaxation would enable additional production volumes, with the primary condition that commodity prices remain at profitable levels and the supply-demand balance is maintained.

“With the note that the prices must be good and the supply and demand must be balanced. And most importantly, our domestic needs must be fully met,” said Bahlil.

He explained that this policy would apply to both coal and nickel commodities. The government does not want excessive production to instead suppress market prices.

For example, if industrial needs are only 300 million tonnes, production should not significantly exceed that figure. Because if it does, prices will certainly plummet.

“I don’t want our mining entrepreneur brothers to be valued at low prices. If the prices are good, the state gets good royalties, the entrepreneurs also benefit. Then the people who work also get good impacts,” he stated.