Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after Inspection to Smelter and Mining of PT Vale Indonesia, East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province, March 30, 2023

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 30 Maret 2023
Category: Press Statement @en
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Press

In what form good mining practices implemented by PT Vale will be or should be followed by others, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

It is the regulation. Prepare the rules so that others undergo rehabilitation. All mining companies carry out reclamation by adopting good international standards, good environmental standards. I believe it is not difficult to do so. It is only a matter of willingness. And, I will force minings to be willing to do so by imposing a regulation, and it is not expensive.

Press

How do you force the minings that already adopt bad practices?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, everything needs correction, evaluation. Our weakness is the management of field control. We want to strengthen this management so that all minings are forced to do it. It is not a difficult practice after I inspected the field.

Press

Mr. President, the contract extension of PT Vale, so far, is impeded by the local government. In fact,….

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We are still discussing and calculating, which are good and not good. Everything is still in calculation.

Press

Do you think your visit to PT Vale drives you more optimistic that downstreaming, which has been an important program, can be carried out and will be successful?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

It is already on going, isn’t it? Downstreaming of nickel is already on going. Even in my opinion, there are too many smelters so we have to restrain. Bauxite is also already on going in Bintan island, West Kalimantan, and other minings. Copper is already on going in Freeport and Amman, previously Newmont. Downstreaming of all minings is already on going.

We want to encourage them to produce not only semi-finished goods but also finished goods. Not only ketones, precursors, but also EV [Electric Vehicles]. When EV has completed, moves to automotive, you know. That is a big ecosystem we want to build. That thing which will provide a big added value four our country. Big added value and job opportunities for our people. Don’t let other countries enjoy those opportunities.

Press

What is your message to foreign investors who want to invest in Indonesian mining industries?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, all foreign investors can invest in Indonesia through independent investment, collaboration with State-Owned Enterprises, collaboration with Indonesian private sectors. However, the most important thing is they should process raw materials into semi-finished or finished goods so that it will have added value. That is the key. We do want added value.

(GA/MMB)

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