From Extraction to Industry: Aligning Indonesia's mining governance and downstream industrial strategy

Indonesia holds some of the world's largest reserves of critical minerals, including nickel and cobalt, which are essential for the global energy transition, including production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. To capture greater economic value from these resources, the Government of Indonesia is working to position the country as a strategic player in global supply chains, prioritizing downstreaming policies that promote domestic processing and manufacturing.

Building on a series of studies by IISD and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), this event convened stakeholders from government, industry, finance, and civil society to share findings, validate policy recommendations, and identify priority policy actions for Indonesia's critical mineral sector.

Discussions explored how Indonesia can strengthen critical mineral governance to support downstream industrial development while enhancing its position in global markets. Participants examined opportunities to strengthen critical mineral value chains; align domestic and international environmental, social, and governance standards; and advance a globally competitive EV battery industry. The event also highlighted how stronger alignment between mining governance, industrial policy, and sustainability objectives can deliver long-term economic value while ensuring that critical mineral development benefits workers, local communities, indigenous peoples, women, youth, and other affected groups through responsible environmental management.

Full coverage of the event discussions and key takeaways is available here. 

Agenda

1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
2. Presentations: Studies Results and Recommendations
   1. Nickel and Cobalt Value Chain Strategy
   2. Aligning Domestic and Global ESG Standards
   3. Industry Readiness of EV Batteries in the Global Market
3. Panel Discussion
   1. Strengthening Value Addition in Indonesia’s Critical Mineral Industry to Achieve National Targets
      Totoh Abdul Fatah, Acting Director for Coal and Mineral Program Development, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR)
   2. Ecosystem Readiness for Downstreaming Industries
      Mahardi Tunggul Wicaksono, Director for Maritime, Transportation, and Defense Equipment Industry, Ministry of Industry
   3. Mining Industry Perspective on ESG Implementation and its Challenges
      Bernardus Imanto, President Director of PT Vale Indonesia, Tbk
   4. Indonesia’s Readiness in EV Batteries Industry
      Aditya F. Arif, President Director of PT Indonesia Battery Corporation (PT IBC)
   5. Managing the Implementation of Indonesia’s Ambition on Nickel Downstreaming with ESG Principles
      Putra Adhiguna, Managing Director of Energy Shift Institute
   6. Global Context in Aligning Upstream Mining Governance with Downstream Industrial Strategy
      Carlo Starace, Associate, IISD
4. Discussions (Q&A) and Conclusion