Coordinating Minister Airlangga Calls The Mineral Industry Agency The Managing Focus Of Rare Earth

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the establishment of the Mineral Industry Agency is aimed at managing strategic minerals, especially the "rare earth" which is currently a global concern.

"Mineral and industrial are related to rare earth, where it comes to attention," said Airlangga as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 25.

Airlangga explained that the mineral has urgency because it is widely needed by the world so special attention is needed.

The new agency, he said, would play a role in extracting, protecting, and further developing the industry.

"First, to extract rare earth, protect rare earth, only for industry," he said.

Airlangga said the final product of the "rare earth" is magnetic and battery. He added that the need for rare earth is also closely related to the defense sector, because almost all industries need magnetism as an important component.

"Everyone needs it, for defense needs it, almost all industries need a magnet," he said.

Furthermore, he explained, the appointment of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto as Head of the Mineral Industry Agency because the agency also has a function as a field of research and science.

"Because it is close to research and science, especially for rare earth because it needs development," said Airlangga.

When asked about the possibility of overlapping tasks and functions between the Mineral Industry Agency and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Industry, Airlangga said each of them had its own scope of work.

"There is a division of cinemas," he said.

It is known, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto appointed Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto as Head of the Mineral Industry Agency.

Brian took on his new responsibility through the oath of office at the State Palace, Jakarta, today in accordance with the Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number Presidential Decree 77P of 2025 concerning the Appointment of the Head of the Mineral Industry Agency.

Pelantikan Brian sekaligus menandai dibentuknya Badan Industri Mineral di Indonesia yang selama ini dikelola Direktorat Jenderal Mineral dan Batu Bara yang berada di bawah Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM).

Hilirisasi sumber daya mineral yang kini dikelola di Indonesia seperti nikel, bauksit, tembaga, hingga rare earth untuk menyasar kebutuhan global atas energi bersih dan teknologi baterai.

Brian's inauguration also marks the establishment of a Mineral Industry Agency in Indonesia which has been managed by the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

Downstreaming of mineral resources is now managed in Indonesia such as nickel, bauxite, copper, and rare earth to target global needs for clean energy and battery technology.