JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia denied rumors that he was preparing a special critical mineral mine for the United States. Bahlil emphasized that Indonesia treats all countries equally and that no one receives preferential treatment.
Bahlil explained that discussions regarding critical minerals were actually held with the US during tariff negotiations and that no decision had been made.
"It's still being discussed. It's still being lobbyed," Bahlil said, as quoted on Tuesday, August 11.
Bahlil explained that downstreaming is one of President Prabowo Subianto's main programs and will be given equal treatment to all countries.
On the same occasion, Bahlil also denied rumors that the government would grant access to brownfield mines to the US, which were previously expressed by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
"Ask the Coordinating Minister (Airlangga). To date, I haven't done that (granting brownfield mines)," Bahlil continued.
For your information, the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) successfully identified 47 critical and strategic mineral commodities in 2023, including nickel, cobalt, and zirconia.
Previously, Bahlil also stated that during negotiations with the US, Indonesia was ready to follow up on the request as long as the United States could bring in investors to develop critical mineral processing projects in Indonesia.
"I said we would provide the same (as other countries). All that's left is for the US to bring in investors, and I'll prepare the mine, but the business will be the same (equal treatment)," Bahlil said on Tuesday, August 5.
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