According to the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI), the demand for nickel ore will reach 250 million tons by 2025. The actual demand only reached 57 million tons in 2021, equivalent to 47.5% of the 2021 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) goal at 120 million tons, said Meidy Katrin Lengkey, Secretary General of APNI.

Meidy Katrin Lengkey said that there are currently 27 business entities for nickel ore processing in Indonesia, and the figure may grow to 81 by 2025, including 71 pyrometallurgical plants and 10 hydrometallurgical plants, which will consume approximately 250 million tons of nickel ore in 2025 or afterward.

Indonesia’s government targeted to operate 53 smelters by 2024, including 4 copper smelters, 30 nickel smelters, 11 bauxite smelters, 4 iron smelters, 2 manganese smelters, and 2 lead and zinc smelters. The needed investment for these smelters totaled US$21.59 billion.