Rare Earth Elements Found Beyond Bangka Belitung, Says House Commission
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has revealed that Indonesia possesses significant potential ‘treasure’ in the form of Rare Earth Elements (REE) spread across several regions, not solely in Bangka Belitung. This commodity is known to be one of the strategic minerals of the future, as it is required for various strategic industries.
Commission XII Chairman Bambang Patijaya stated that rare earth elements have become a vital component in numerous sectors, ranging from telecommunications and advanced technology to the defence and security industry.
‘Yes, rare earth minerals are the minerals of the future. They have been used lately in various contemporary technologies, whether for telecommunications, other technologies, or defence and security technology,’ Bambang told CNBC Indonesia.
He disclosed that Indonesia has several locations suspected of holding rare earth element reserves. One of the most recognised is in Bangka Belitung, which has historically been a tin-producing region.
According to him, rare earth elements in Bangka Belitung are generally found as associated minerals from tin mining activities. During the tin processing, other minerals such as xenotime and monazite, which contain rare earth elements, are discovered.
‘The story is that rare earth elements are typically the by-product of the primary mineral,’ he said.
However, there are also indications of rare earth elements being found as the primary mineral. One such instance is the potential discovery of rare earth elements in the Sulawesi region.
‘There, the Industrial Minerals Agency, or Perminas, has already obtained a Mining Business Permit (IUP) from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources related to Rare Earth Elements. So, reportedly, there is an area there where, when mining was conducted, the rare earth elements were obtained directly as the primary mineral. Whatever the case, the point is we have them,’ Bambang concluded.