Gresik Copper-Gold Downstreaming, Indonesia Builds Integrated Upstream-Downstream Industrial Chain

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government is continuing to strengthen the downstreaming of copper and gold in the Gresik Special Economic Zone (KEK)–Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) as part of a strategy to increase the value added of natural resources. This step is a continuation of the groundbreaking ceremony for the phase II downstreaming project by President Prabowo Subianto, while also affirming the government’s commitment to driving an industrialisation-based economic transformation. MIND ID’s Director of Downstreaming Strategy and Mineral Ecosystem, Tedy Badrujaman, emphasised that this downstreaming development is part of a national strategic project aimed at achieving industrial self-reliance. “This is a moment to affirm the grand direction of national development that Indonesia chooses to stand as a sovereign industrial nation,” Tedy stated in his remarks on Friday (1/4/2026). In its implementation, the copper downstreaming in Gresik reflects an increasingly connected industrial process from upstream to downstream. According to him, copper processing not only produces primary products but also generates anode slime containing precious metals such as gold and silver. This anode slime is then further processed through domestic refining facilities to produce pure gold. Thus, the entire production chain, from raw materials to high-value end products, is carried out domestically. The government, Tedy said, positions downstreaming as the main strategy to enhance national industrial competitiveness, while also driving economic growth and job creation. In this context, the KEK serves as an important platform in building a value-added-based industrial ecosystem. Therefore, KEK Gresik–JIIPE is positioned as a strategic zone that integrates industry and logistics into one system. This integration is supported by infrastructure designed to accelerate the flow of goods distribution and reduce logistical costs.