The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Emphasizes that it Has Not Decided on the Volume of Nickel RKAB

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has confirmed that there has been no decision regarding the total amount of the 2026 nickel Work Plan and Budget (RKAB).

"Regarding the nickel RKAB, the government will still use the official evaluation mechanism before determining changes to the RKAB. It has not reached the decision on the number, it is still under discussion," said Director General of Mineral and Coal (Minerba) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Tri Winarno, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 25.

The confirmation was made when various speculations about the possibility of changes in nickel production quotas ahead of the RKAB revision period were developing.

Tri said the government was still discussing various proposals for changes to the RKAB that were proposed by business actors and had not set a specific production figure.

The process that is currently running is an evaluation of the needs of the industry, not a relaxation of production quotas.

"Later there will still be an evaluation. So it can't be immediately (relaxation)," he said.

According to Tri, the government needs to ensure production is in line with market and downstream industry needs.

Thus, the supply of raw materials for smelters can be maintained, while market balance, commodity prices, and the sustainability of national mineral reserves remain a concern in every decision-making process.

This decision responds to growing speculation in the market regarding possible changes to the nickel RKAB after the revision period scheduled for next month.

However, the government emphasized that all proposals that enter must still go through the review process before being decided.

According to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 17 of 2025, business entities can indeed submit changes to the RKAB after submitting periodic reports until the second quarter or no later than July 31 of the current year.

However, the submission of a change to the RKAB is not necessarily approved.

"Each proposal is carefully evaluated based on production data, industry needs, market conditions, and the balance of the national supply chain," said Tri.

He added that the revision process is not merely aimed at increasing or reducing production quotas, but ensuring that the figures set are truly reflective of the actual needs in the field.

The government continues to strive to maintain a balance between the interests of the upstream and downstream sectors.

Miners need to get space to continue operating and carrying out their investments, while the processing and refining industry needs adequate raw material supplies so that downstream activities can continue.

At the same time, the government also needs to ensure that production does not grow excessively.

Too high production risks suppressing commodity prices, accelerating the depletion of reserves, and reducing the effectiveness of national mining governance.