Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Says Quarsa Sand Exports Are Still A Discourse

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif said that the discourse on the export of silica sand or quartz sand was still in the form of discourse.

Just so you know, the raw material component for making solar panels.

"It's still a discourse. But we see the availability of our potential sources," said Arifin, quoted on Monday, August 7.

Arifin added that currently his party is still reviewing the potential for quartz sand in Indonesia. He gave an example, the calculation to produce 1 square meter solar PV requires how many kilograms of silica sand.

As is known, Indonesia has a plan to develop a Solar Power Plant (PLTS) with a capacity of 300 to 400 gigawatts (GW) so that it still has to encourage the construction of solar panel facilities.

"Well, is this enough (silica sand potential)? But first we have to try to build the manufacturing facilities first," continued Arifin.

With the price of quartz sand which is still relatively cheap, continued Arifin, a processing industry is needed in order to increase the selling price so that it benefits Indonesia.

"If you make solar pv, how much is it? It's expensive, right? So that's what we have to consider in the future," concluded Arifin.

Previously, the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia opened the option of Indonesia to stop the tap for exporting quartz sand abroad in order to increase the added value of quartz sand which is the main raw material for building solar glasses and panels.

"We want this quartz sand to be also managed, and we don't rule out the possibility that in the future we will also consider, yes, we prohibit exports as well. It's up to people to protest us, so just protest. Cook our country can't progress," said Bahlil.