PT Timah and Perminas Step Up Downstream Processing of Critical Minerals
This is not merely rhetoric, but a concrete step to begin a new journey in building Indonesia’s mineral sovereignty.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT Timah and PT Perminas are collaborating to strengthen the development of national strategic mineral downstream processing, in line with the government’s commitment to building industrial self-reliance and reinforcing Indonesia’s position in the global supply chain for critical minerals.
“After a long struggle, we have finally agreed on a collaboration between PT TIMAH and PERMINAS. This is not merely rhetoric, but a concrete step to begin a new journey in building Indonesia’s mineral sovereignty,” said Gilarsi Wahju Setijono, President Director of Perminas (Persero), in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
One concrete step is the signing of the Conditional Framework between PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk and PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional (Persero) (Perminas) for the development of tin slag processing and rare earth elements (REE/LTJ) in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province.
This cooperation is set out in a conditional cooperation framework titled Sovereign Strategic Mineral Cooperation Framework for Tin Slag Processing, Monazite & REE/LTJ Bangka.
The collaboration forms part of efforts to support the government’s downstream agenda while strengthening national mineral sovereignty through the optimal utilisation of resources that have not been fully exploited to date.
Gilarsi said that the agreement with PT TIMAH represents an important moment in building national strategic mineral management, particularly tin slag processing and rare earth elements.
According to him, the process towards the collaboration involved intensive discussions to formulate a framework of cooperation to be implemented by both companies.
Meanwhile, PT TIMAH’s President Director Restu Widiyantoro expressed appreciation for government support that opens opportunities for the company to expand its role in developing strategic mineral downstream processing.
According to him, for decades PT TIMAH had focused on processing tin ore from upstream to downstream for export. However, through this strategic collaboration, the company now has the opportunity to increase added value through the management of strategic minerals.
“During this time, PT TIMAH has only focused on managing tin ore from upstream to downstream for export. With this collaboration, we have the chance to move up a notch through downstream processing and management of strategic minerals,” he said.
MIND ID President Director Maroef Sjamsoeddin said the strategic collaboration is part of efforts to optimise the nation’s natural resources for the country’s and people’s interests.
“We want to manage the natural wealth owned by this nation for the primary purpose, namely national interests and the welfare of the nation and state,” he said.
According to him, the collaboration is not expected to stop at the discussion stage but to produce concrete and sustainable steps in supporting national strategic mineral downstream processing.