Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Data obtained from the Indonesian Geological Agency in July 2020 showed that Indonesia has nickel ore resources of 11,887 million tons.

Meanwhile, nickel ore reserves amounted to 4,346 million tons, consisting of proven reserves of 3,360 million tons and estimated reserves of 986 million tons.

The data also showed Indonesia’s total metal resources reached 174 million tons and metal reserves was recorded at 68 million tons.

"So far, Southeast Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and North Maluku have the greatest nickel ore potentials in Indonesia," Head of the Geological Agency at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Eko Budi Lelono, stated at a webinar on the Future of Indonesia's Nickel Downstream Industries on Tuesday (Oct 13).

Eko said nickel explorations should continue to make Indonesia more independent in nickel production.

In addition, the downstream process should also be maximized as it will increase added value to minerals that are beneficial to the national economy.

Eko explained that the Geological Agency recommended that nickel exploration be focused on laterite metal mineral deposits over primary types because the former has more economic potential than the latter.

"So far the laterite reserves are much larger than the primary ones," Eko noted.

Indonesia has placed itself as the world's largest nickel ore producer in 2019.

Of the 2.67 million tons of nickel production worldwide, Indonesia has produced 800 thousand tons, far ahead of the Philippines (420 thousand tons), Russia (270 thousand tons), and New Caledonia (220 thousand tons).

Reporting by Indonesia Window