Get Ready! Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Explores Rare Earth Metal Findings In Lapindo Mud

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in its performance presentation today explained that there is a potential for rare earth elements in the Lapindo mud, Sidoarjo, East Java.

The Head of the Geological Agency, Eko Budi Lelono, in his research also found potential for other materials besides rare earth metals and is being developed with the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal (Minerba).

"It is true that there are indications of rare earth metals and in fact there are indications of other metals and we are currently investigating these findings," he said in a virtual press conference, Friday, January 21.

For that, he continued, his party collaborated with the Center for Research and Development of Mineral and Coal Technology (TekMIRA) and is currently conducting a study in the area.

Eko added that his party had conducted research and searches since early 2021 and only completed it at the end of 2021 so that further research was still being carried out.

"Because it was only completed at the end of 2021 yesterday, we are still processing the results and we will not follow up, of course," he added.

For your information, rare earth metals are one of the minerals needed in the development of electric vehicles. In fact, rare earth minerals can also be used as raw materials for nuclear power plants (NPP).

Based on data from the Center for Coal and Geothermal Mineral Resources (PSDMBP) of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, 28 locations have been identified that have the potential for rare earth metals. The potential is spread across 16 locations in Sumatra, seven locations in Kalimantan, three locations in Sulawesi and two locations in Java.

Meanwhile, there are nine survey sites and investigations conducted by the Geological Agency to reveal mineral potential, which are spread in Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra for gold metal and associated minerals. Next, West Sumbawa, NTB for precious metal minerals and base metals.

Banggai Islands, Central Sulawesi, for rare earth metals. Gebe Island, Central Halmahera, North Maluku for nickel and its associated minerals. Halmahera Island, North Maluku for a regional geochemical survey with the Morotai Sheet system. South Aceh, Aceh for limestone. Aceh Besar, Aceh for phosphate. Sambas, West Kalimantan for kaolin. Lastly, Mamuju, West Sulawesi for precious stones.