Indonesian lawmaker rates mineral processing progress 9 out of 10
Bambang Patijaya said zircon and monazite still presented challenges, while further nickel processing could support battery production.
Golkar legislator Bambang Patijaya has awarded Indonesia’s mining industry 9 out of 10 for its progress in domestic mineral processing, saying mined materials were no longer being sold without at least an increase in mineral content.
The member of the House of Representatives’ Commission XII spoke at a CNBC Indonesia discussion, in remarks reported on 29 October 2026. He said the first stage of downstream processing was under way through smelters operating under mining business licences, known as IUPs.
His assessment included some qualifications: zircon and monazite continued to present processing challenges. Even so, he said zircon was already undergoing treatment to raise its mineral content.
For nickel, Bambang said processing was developing beyond smelting and that further developments could be used for batteries. The industry was also taking in lower-grade limonite ore alongside high-grade saprolite, he said. Limonite had attracted little interest 10 years ago but was now sought after as its market expanded.
Bambang also pointed to domestic processing in energy and agriculture. He said Indonesia was moving towards E5 fuel, containing 5 per cent bioethanol, and that battery-related activity in mining was already taking place.
