IMI: Bauxite Management Must Be Processed Domestically

Photo: Doc. Antara

Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Institute (IMI) Irwandy Arif assessed that the management of bauxite must be processed domestically, especially since aluminum supply is still in deficit and still follows Law No. 3 of 2020 concerning amendments to Law No. 4 on Mineral and Coal Mining (Minerba).

He conveyed this in response to the proposal of Commission VII DPR RI member Maman Abdurrahman so that the export of bauxite ore is limited to drive the regional economy, especially in West Kalimantan.

"From me, I am not in the ministry anymore, if we have to comply with the applicable regulations and regulations. As long as the regulations and laws are still in Law No. 3 of 2020, of course we still have to be processed domestically. that's what we still have to see," said Irwandy in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Monday 30 September.

He explained that the proposal to open bauxite exports needs to be considered further considering the supply of aluminum which is still in deficit.

"This deficit, we are from bauxite (processed) to alumina, from alumina (processed) to aluminum, we are still in deficit in aluminum. The need is 1 million per year. We are only producing 250 thousand," he explained.

Previously, member of Commission VII DPR RI Maman Abdurrahman had submitted a proposal to the government to open up opportunities for bauxite exports.

This is based on economic conditions that are considered sluggish in the province that produces bauxite, so it requires leniency to start exporting one of the natural resources (SDA).

According to him, currently there are still few bauxite smelters in Indonesia operating, including PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (BAI), PT Well Harvest Winning Alumnia Refinery (WHW), PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia (BAI).