ASSESSMENTS

Indonesia Gambles on Refined Nickel Amid the Global Energy Transition

Oct 24, 2022 | 21:55 GMT

A worker uses a furnace during the nickel smelting process at Indonesian mining company PT Vale Indonesia's smelting plant in Soroako, South Sulawesi province, on March 30, 2019.

A worker uses a furnace during the nickel smelting process at Indonesian mining company PT Vale Indonesia's smelting plant in Soroako, South Sulawesi province, on March 30, 2019.

(BANNU MAZANDRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Indonesia is attempting to capitalize on the growing global demand for high-quality refined nickel to attract investment and secure a foothold in the key metal used in developing electric vehicles. If Indonesia overcomes the sizable technological and economic limitations in ramping up its nickel production, it could shift how the world obtains high-quality refined nickel products. As the world increasingly looks to electric vehicles (EVs) to help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, Indonesia is looking to take advantage of its large reserves of nickel -- a key component used in EV batteries -- to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and boost economic growth. Demand for refined nickel is expected to skyrocket in the coming years in tandem with global demand for EV batteries. In a statement issued on Sept. 7, Brazilian mining company Vale said it expected global annual demand for the metal to increase by roughly 44%...

Keep Reading

Register to read three free articles

Proceed to sign up

Register Now

Already have an account?

Sign In