Perminas and Timah research rare earth recovery from tin waste
The Indonesian state-owned miners are studying production residues and tin slag, while Perminas also conducts exploration drilling in West Sulawesi.
Indonesia’s PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional (Perminas) and PT Timah Tbk are conducting joint research into recovering rare earth metals from tin-processing waste, Perminas technology and business development director La Ode Tarfin Jaya said on 3 November 2026.
Speaking at the Minerba Convention & Exhibition 2026 at Jiexpo, La Ode said technical teams from both companies were studying production residues, known as SHP, and tin slag. The two state-owned miners, which are under Danantara, signed their cooperation agreement several months earlier, he said.
The partnership covers rare earth processing in Bangka Belitung. Timah’s corporate strategy and business development director, Harry Budi Sidharta, previously said Perminas would serve as its technology partner, drawing on its mandate to manage rare earths.
In remarks at Timah’s annual general meeting for the 2025 financial year, cited on 15 June 2026, Harry said processing technology was difficult to obtain and sensitive to geopolitical issues. He said the partnership was intended to help Timah access suitable technology for processing rare earths in Bangka Belitung.
Separately, Perminas holds a rare earth exploration mining licence in Mamuju, West Sulawesi. Its 7,300-hectare concession comprises two blocks and is undergoing exploration drilling, according to La Ode.
