Indonesia Forecast to Become a Major Global Player in Rare Earth Metals

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Chairman of Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Bambang Patijaya, is optimistic that Indonesia can become one of the main global players in rare earth metals (LTJ) in the near future. This is supported by the country’s large potential supply of raw materials. According to Bambang, Indonesia has long possessed substantial rare earth metal resources. However, this potential has not been managed optimally, resulting in limited added value. “We have the raw material and so far this commodity has been untouched. It has not been processed properly. In fact, the rare earth metal content is often exported mixed with other minerals,” Bambang told CNBC Indonesia in the Economic Update programme, quoted Wednesday (24/6/2026). He noted that the government has now prepared strategic measures to accelerate the development of the national rare earth metal industry, ranging from institutional formation to the preparation of supporting regulations. “I think we must move quickly because the government, in my view, has also prepared a good action plan. The institutions are ready. We just need to finalise the regulations, particularly those that are still lacking,” he said. In the near future, Commission XII of the DPR RI plans to summon the Mineral Industry Agency (BIM) and PT Perminas in early July 2026 to discuss their work programmes and the execution of the government’s mandate regarding rare earth metal development. “We will break it down. We will assist through our oversight and regulatory functions so that we can push this forward together. We hope that in the near future, Indonesia will become one of the main players in rare earth metals on the global stage,” he stated.