French Mining Company Establishs Critical Mineral Partnership With Geological Agency In Indonesia

Eramet Indonesia Director Bruno Faour (second from the left). (Photo: Doc. KESDM)

JAKARTA - Eramet, a global mining and metallurgical group from France engaged in metal announced a strategic partnership signed with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through the Geological Agency.

This collaboration aims to strengthen the electronic vehicle (EV) ecosystem in Indonesia.

The signing of the MoU was carried out in the presence of the Director of Eramet Indonesia, Bruno Faour and the Head of the Center for Coal and Geological Heat Mineral Resources (PSDMBP) of the Geological Agency, Agung Pribadi, which was also witnessed by the Special Staff of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) for the Acceleration of the Minerba Governance Division of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Irwandy Arif, and the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Economics of the French Embassy for Indonesia, Pauline Leduc, on Monday 6 May in Jakarta.

The partnership between Eramet in Indonesia and the PSDMBP Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the French Government and Indonesia in the field of energy and mineral resources signed in 2011.

This partnership includes joint studies of critical minerals in Indonesia, including studies related to potential lithium resources.

Various aspects ranging from technical studies, exploration, to the development of human resource capacity will be covered by the partnership.

Eramet Indonesia Director Bruno Faour expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership.

He said Eramet was committed to supporting the efforts of the Indonesian government to become a global player responsible for encouraging the world's energy transition.

"This partnership is an important step in ensuring available resources supply the metals needed in the energy transition. Eramet will help contribute its international expertise to the Indonesian government in the energy transition metal sector," Bruno said as quoted on Tuesday, May 7.

Special Staff to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) for the Acceleration of Mineral Management at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Irwandy Arif, said that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources welcomed the opportunity for cooperation with Eramet in Indonesia.

According to him, electric vehicles are now the focus of the Government in the midst of energy transition efforts and require cooperation, including joint studies, for development.

Electric vehicles are one of the government's focuses in encouraging the energy transition and to make it happen, cooperation with various parties is needed. A joint study of critical minerals, especially regarding the potential for lithium reserves in areas that have not been developed in Indonesia, has never been done before. In the end, this study plays a role in understanding Indonesia's potential in the supply chain of the electric vehicle industry and helping to develop the electric vehicle industry strategy in Indonesia," said Irwandy.

Deputy Head of the Economic Department of the French Embassy in Indonesia Pauline Leduc expressed his support for this partnership and emphasized the importance of international partnerships in encouraging sustainable development in the mineral sector in Indonesia.

Indonesia is a strategic partner for France and this partnership shows a close relationship between the two countries. We hope this partnership can build closer synergies between the private sector and the government, especially in the electric vehicle battery ecosystem," said Pauline Leduc.