TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. Title Media Source Page

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Daily News Update Page 1

"The sales volume by the end of the year could be around 30 million tons per year, while the expected production volume at the end of the year is 31 million tons. This is higher than the realization of full year sales volume of 26.1 million tons and production of 24.8 million tons in 2020," he said.

Meanwhile, the volume of coal transpor-tation has reached 16.5 million tons as of August 2021 with the expectation that by the end of the year it will reach 29 million tons, higher than the 2020 realization of 23.8 million tons.

He explained that currently the issuer coded PTBA is transforming from a coal mining company to an energy company. A number of steps were also taken by establishing a mining ecosystem, starting from mining, handling, transportation, port management to coal distribution to end users.

Top! PTBA Kejar Produksi Batu

Bara 31 Juta Ton Sampai Akhir

2021

Author: Rinaldi Mohammad Azka

E

MITEN tambang BUMN, PT Bukit Asam

Tbk. (PTBA) optmistis dapat memacu produksi dan penjualan batu bara hingga akhir 2021.

Suryo Eko Hadianto, Direktur Utama Bukit Asam, menuturkan perseroan didukung oleh lini bisnis tambang, energi, hingga perkebunan sawit. Sebagai bisnis inti, pertambangan batu bara perseroan men-cetak kinerja ciamik.

Berdasarkan catatannya, volume penjualan batu batu bara hingga Agustus 2021 mencapai 18,21 juta ton dengan volume produksi yang mencapai 19,6 juta ton. "Volume penjualan sampai akhir tahun bisa berkisar 30 juta ton per tahun, sementara volume produksi ekspektasi akhir tahun 31 juta ton. Lebih tinggi dari realisasi tahun penuh volume penjualan 26,1 juta ton dan produksi 24,8 juta ton pada 2020," katanya.

Adapun, volume angkutan batu bara sudah mencapai 16,5 juta ton per Agustus 2021 dengan ekspektasi akhir tahun mencapai 29 juta ton lebih tinggi dari realisasi 2020 sebesar 23,8 juta ton.

Dia menjelaskan saat ini emiten berkode PTBA ini tengah bertransformasi dari perusahaan penambangan batu bara men-jadi perusahaan energi.

Sejumlah langkah pun dilakukan dengan membentuk ekosistem tambang mulai dari penambangan, penanganan, transportasi, pengelolaan pelabuhan hingga distribusi batu bara sampai ke pengguna akhir.

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Daily News Update Page 4 Bukit Asam's strategy going forward is to

achieve the vision of a world-class energy company that cares about the environ-ment. There are 4 main pillars of business transformation, first, building a coal ecosystem, logistics, transportation, and mining operations.

Second, the transformation into an energy business company by establishing a Solar Power Plant and taking over a Coal Power Plant in order to get a definite market for its coal production.

Third, the company has also started to engage in the basic chemical business and derivative products from coal. Fourth, PTBA also promotes better carbon management. Editor : Hafiyyan

Strategi bukit asam ke depan capai visi perusahaan energi kelas dunia yang peduli lingkungan. Terdapat 4 pilar utama trans-formasi bisnis, pertama, membangun ekosistem batu bara, logistik, transportasi, dan operasi tambang.

Kedua, transformasi menjadi perusahaan bisnis energi dengan membentuk Pem-bangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya dan meng-ambil alih Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Batu Bara guna mendapatkan pasar yang pasti dari produksi batu baranya.

Ketiga, perseroan juga mulai terjun pada bisnis kimia dasar dan produk derivatif dari batu bara. Keempat, PTBA juga meningkatkan manajemen karbon yang lebih baik. Editor : Hafiyyan

Buy Freeport Shares Rp 54 T, RI

Gets Dividend Rp 14 T/Year

Anisatul Umah, CNBC Indonesia

P

T FREEPORT Indonesia (PTFI) said that

next year it will distribute dividends of US$ 1 billion or Rp. 14 trillion per year to Indonesian shareholders, namely MIND ID, which is a mining BUMN holding.

This dividend of US$ 1 billion per year can even be given within the next five years. This was conveyed by the President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia Tony Wenas in the Mining Zone program "Exploring Freeport's Contribution to Papua and Indonesia" CNBC Indonesia, Wednesday (22/09/2021).

Beli Saham Freeport Rp 54 T, RI

Dapat Dividen Rp 14 T/Tahun

P

T FREEPORT Indonesia (PTFI)

me-nyebut, tahun depan akan membagikan dividen sebesar US$ 1 miliar atau Rp 14 triliun per tahun kepada pemegang saham Indonesia, yaitu MIND ID, yang merupakan holding BUMN pertambangan.

Dividen US$ 1 miliar per tahun ini bahkan bisa diberikan dalam kurun waktu lima tahun ke depan.

Hal tersebut disampaikan oleh Presiden Direktur PT Freeport Indonesia Tony Wenas dalam program Mining Zone "Menggali Kontribusi Freeport untuk Papua dan Indonesia" CNBC Indonesia, Rabu (22/09/2021).

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Daily News Update Page 5 Tony said the projected dividend

distribution of US$ 1 billion could be achieved with the assumption of mining with the current pattern, the production volume target is achieved, and the price of mining commodities remains high as it is today.

"With the current mining pattern, if targets can be achieved at current prices, MIND ID can give dividends of US$ 1 billion a year starting next year or around Rp. 14-15 trillion per year," he said.

According to him, with such conditions, namely mining patterns and high prices, it is estimated that Freeport will be able to contribute to the state of US$ 45 billion or Rp. 560 trillion during the period of the Special Mining Business License (IUPK) in effect going forward.

"The contribution to the state is Rp 560 trillion or US$ 45 billion, and of course with this Special Mining Business License (IUPK) provincial and district revenues will increase significantly compared to the Contract of Work (KK) period," he explained.

Moreover, he added, the regency and province of Papua have a share ownership of 10%, which means they will also receive income from the dividends distributed. "In addition to regional taxes, such as the surface water tax, which previously paid US$ 3 million, now it is US$ 15 million, and GDP. This is agreed upon in the IUPK," he continued.

He further said that this would have a very significant impact on the national economy. He gave an example, for the Papuan government, both provincial and district, will get local taxes of Rp 7-8 trillion per year.

"This benefits the government, PTFI, and the community," he said.

Tony mengatakan, proyeksi pembagian dividen sebesar US$ 1 miliar tersebut bisa tercapai dengan asumsi penambangan dengan pola saat ini, target volume produksi tercapai, dan harga komoditas tambang yang tetap tinggi seperti saat ini. "Dengan pola penambangan yang saat ini, kalau target-target bisa tercapai dengan harga saat ini, bisa berikan dividen MIND ID US$ 1 miliar satu tahun mulai tahun depan atau sekitar Rp 14-15 triliun per tahun," ungkapnya.

Menurutnya, dengan kondisi seperti itu, yakni pola penambangan dan harga yang tinggi, maka diperkirakan Freeport akan mampu memberikan kontribusi ke negara sebesar US$ 45 miliar atau Rp 560 triliun selama masa Izin Usaha Pertambangan Khusus (IUPK) berlaku ke depannya.

"Kontribusi ke negara Rp 560 triliun atau US$ 45 miliar, kira-kira dan tentu saja dengan Izin Usaha Pertambangan Khusus (IUPK) ini pendapatan provinsi dan kabupaten akan naik signifikan dibanding-kan masa Kontrak Karya (KK)," jelasnya. Apalagi, imbuhnya, kabupaten dan Provinsi Papua memiliki kepemilikan saham 10%, yang artinya juga akan memperoleh pen-dapatan dari dividen yang dibagikan. "Di samping pajak-pajak daerah seperti misalnya pajak air permukaan yang tadinya bayar US$ 3 juta, sekarang jadi US$ 15 juta, dan PDB. Ini disepakati di dalam IUPK tersebut," lanjutnya.

Lebih lanjut dia mengatakan ini akan berdampak sangat signifikan bagi pereko-nomian nasional. Dia mencontohkan, untuk pemerintah Papua, baik provinsi dan kabupaten, akan mendapatkan pajak daerah sebesar Rp 7-8 triliun per tahun. "Ini untungkan pemerintah, bagi PTFI, dan masyarakat," tandasnya.

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Daily News Update Page 6 As is known, MIND ID has purchased 51%

of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) shares in 2018 for US$ 3.85 billion or equivalent to Rp 53.9 trillion (exchange rate of Rp 14,000/US$). Indonesia in 2021 will already receive income or dividends of US$ 200 million from PTFI.

The President Director of MIND ID, Orias Petrus Moedak, said that from the capital that has been spent to buy Freeport shares amounting to US$ 3.85 billion, the invest-ment will be returned in 2025. (wed/wed)

Sepeti diketahui, MIND ID telah melakukan pembelian 51% saham PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) pada 2018 lalu senilai US$ 3,85 miliar atau setara Rp 53,9 triliun (kurs Rp 14.000/US$). Indonesia di 2021 ini sudah akan mendapatkan pemasukan atau dividen sebesar US$ 200 juta dari PTFI. Direktur Utama MIND ID, Orias Petrus Moedak, mengatakan dari modal yang sudah keluarkan untuk membeli saham Freeport sebesar US$ 3,85 miliar akan balik modal pada 2025. (wed/wed)

There is a plan to ban the

export of 40% processed nickel,

this is the prospect of nickel

issuers' shares

Reporter: Akhmad Suryahadi, Filemon Agung | Editor: Khomarul Hidayat

T

HE GOVERNMENT plans to ban the

export of nickel processed products with levels of 30% to 40% in order to encourage the downstream nickel chain in the country.

RHB Sekuritas analyst Fauzan Luthfi Djamal assesses that the proposed ban will not affect PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO). This is because the nickel produced by INCO is matte nickel with a content of 78%. In addition, INCO's products are also sold to Sumitomo and Global Vale.

Previously, Vale Indonesia Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Bernardus Irmanto ensured that Vale's nickel processed products were nickel matte with a nickel content of 78% or above the 70% content limit.

Ada rencana ekspor nikel

olahan kadar 40% dilarang,

begini prospek saham emiten

nikel

Reporter: Akhmad Suryahadi, Filemon Agung | Editor: Khomarul Hidayat

P

EMERINTAH berencana melarang

ekspor produk olahan nikel dengan kadar 30% hingga 40% demi mendorong rantai hilirisasi nikel dalam negeri.

Analis RHB Sekuritas Fauzan Luthfi Djamal menilai, rencana kebijakan pelarangan ini tidak akan berpengaruh terhadap PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO). Sebab, nikel yang diproduksi oleh INCO adalah nikel matte dengan kadar 78%. Selain itu, hasil produksi INCO juga dijual kepada Sumitomo dan juga Global Vale.

Sebelumnya, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Vale Indonesia Bernardus Irmanto memastikan produk olahan nikel Vale adalah nickel matte dengan kandungan nikel 78% atau di atas batas kandungan 70%.

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Daily News Update Page 7 "The possibility of the discourse on the

export ban is to encourage the growth of downstream nickel products in Indonesia, especially for nickel pig iron (NPI)/ferro-nickel (FeNi) products with (NPI)/ferro-nickel content below 40%," Bernardus explained to Kontan.co.id, Tuesday ( 21/9).

Secretary General of the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI) Meidy Katrin Lengkey said that currently only Vale Indonesia can produce nickel with levels above 70%. “So far, factories only process ferronickel. What is the percentage of ferronickel? Maybe only 10% to a maximum of 22%," explained Meidy in an IDX Channel Live broadcast, Thursday (23/9).

However, Fauzan believes that the domestic nickel market is still wide open. The collaboration between PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) and Tsingshan will also open up sales potential in the domestic market. Fauzan said that this year, Indonesia's NPI production with levels of 2%-10% has the potential to reach 385,000 tons per year, an increase from 190,000 tons per year in 2020. Most of it comes from the capacity of Tsingshan Group in Indonesia.

"Until 2024-2025 the Indonesian nickel industry will still focus on meeting the demand for the stainless steel sector," Fauzan explained to Kontan.co.id, Thursday (23/9).

Meanwhile, Pilarmas Investindo Sekuritas analyst Okie Setya Ardiastama saw that the regulation banning the export of processed nickel with a grade of 30%-40% could provide obstacles to incoming investment flows. where nickel absorption will be dominant from within the country.

On the other hand, the government's efforts to improve export quality by considering domestic nickel reserves are also considered quite good for the nickel industry itself.

"Kemungkinan wacana pelarangan ekspor tersebut adalah untuk mendorong tumbuh-nya hilirisasi produk nikel di Indonesia, terutama untuk produk nickel pig iron (NPI)/feronikel (FeNi) dengan kandungan nikel di bawah 40%," terang Bernardus kepada Kontan.co.id, Selasa (21/9).

Sekretaris Jenderal Asosiasi Penambang

Nikel Indonesia (APNI) Meidy Katrin Lengkey

mengatakan, saat ini yang bisa mem-produksi nikel dengan kadar di atas 70% hanya Vale Indonesia. “Selama ini pabrik-pabrik hanya mengolah feronikel. Feronikel berapa persen kadarnya? Mungkin hanya 10% sampai maksimal 22%,” terang Meidy

dalam siaran IDX Channel Live, Kamis (23/9).

Namun, Fauzan meyakini pasar nikel domestik masih terbuka lebar. Kerjasama antara PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) dengan Tsingshan juga akan membuka potensi penjualan di pasar domestik.

Fauzan menyebut, pada tahun ini, produksi NPI Indonesia dengan kadar 2%-10% berpotensi menyentuh angka 385.000 ton per tahun, meningkat dari 190.000 ton per tahun di 2020. Sebagian besar berasal dari kapasitas Tsingshan Group di Indonesia. “Sampai 2024-2025 industri nikel Indonesia masih akan berfokus untuk pemenuhan permintaan sektor baja anti karat (stainless steel),” terang Fauzan kepada Kontan.co.id, Kamis (23/9).

Sementara itu, Analis Pilarmas Investindo Sekuritas Okie Setya Ardiastama melihat, aturan pelarangan ekspor olahan nikel dengan kadar 30%-40% tersebut dapat memberikan hambatan pada aliran investasi yang masuk. dimana serapan nikel akan dominan dari dalam negeri.

Di lain sisi, upaya pemerintah dalam meningkatkan kualitas ekspor dengan mempertimbangkan cadangan nikel dalam negeri juga dinilai cukup baik bagi industri nikel sendiri.

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Daily News Update Page 8 "Considering that currently the industry's

needs are quite strong amid price increases in the past year," Okie explained to Kontan.co.id, Thursday (23/9).

Okie believes that the increase in the selling price of nickel and the increase in the volume of domestic nickel production can reduce the negative impact of the ban on nickel exports. Moreover, the government is also considered serious in encouraging the downstream nickel industry, especially for NPI/FeNi products with nickel content below 40%. "So hopefully this can have an impact on business continuity in the long term," he said.

Choose ANTM or INCO?

In terms of valuation, ANTM's shares are currently traded at a lower price, with a P/E of 27 times, while INCO is trading at a valuation of 38 times. INCO's valuation is more premium because 100% of INCO's sales come from nickel. Meanwhile, the sales of the ANTM segment are quite diverse.

Fauzan detailed that around 64% of ANTM's revenue came from gold, 21% from ferronickel, and 10% from nickel ore. The rest was contributed by silver (silver) but not so much.

In terms of margin, INCO generates a better operating margin than ANTM. The EBIT margin generated by INCO can be in the range of 15%, while ANTM is in the range of 6%. "Because ANTM has a lot of fixed costs from the gold segment, one of which is indeed from buying gold from third parties," he said.

In terms of production, INCO's market share is 22% while ANTM's is around 7%. RHB Sekuritas recommends buying ANTM shares with a target price of Rp 4,000 and buying INCO shares with a target price of Rp 6,200.

“Mengingat saat ini kebutuhan industri cukup kuat di tengah kenaikan harga dalam satu tahun belakangan,” terang Okie kepada Kontan.co.id, Kamis (23/9).

Okie meyakini, kenaikan harga jual nikel dan peningkatan volume produksi nikel dari dalam negeri bisa mengurangi dampak negatif larangan ekspor nikel tersebut. Terlebih, saat ini pemerintah juga dinilai cukup serius dalam mendorong industri hilirisasi nikel terutama untuk produk NPI/Fe Ni dengan kandungan nikel di bawah 40%. “Sehingga harapannya hal tersebut dapat berdampak pada kelanjutan bisnis dalam jangka panjang,” ujar dia.

Pilih ANTM atau INCO?

Dari sisi valuasi, saat ini saham ANTM diperdagangkan lebih murah, yakni dengan P/E 27 kali, sedangkan INCO diperdagang-kan dengan valuasi sebesar 38 kali. Valuasi INCO yang lebih premium dikarenakan 100% penjualan INCO berasal dari nikel. Sementara penjualan segmen ANTM cukup beragam.

Fauzan merinci, sekitar 64% pendapatan ANTM berasal dari komoditas emas, sebanyak 21% berasal dari feronikel, dan 10% berasal nickel ore. Sisanya ada yang disumbang oleh perak (silver) namun tidak begitu banyak.

Dari sisi margin, INCO menghasilkan margin operasional yang lebih bagus dari ANTM. Margin EBIT yang dihasilkan INCO bisa di kisaran 15%, sedangkan ANTM di kisaran 6%. “Karena ANTM banyak fixed cost dari segmen emas, salah satunya memang dari pembelian emas dari pihak ketiga,” kata dia.

Dari segi produksi, pangsa pasar INCO sebesar 22% sementara ANTM sekitar 7%. RHB Sekuritas merekomendasikan beli saham ANTM dengan target harga Rp 4.000 dan beli saham INCO dengan target harga Rp 6.200.

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Daily News Update Page 9 Meanwhile, Okie maintained his

recommendation to buy ANTM shares with a target price of Rp 2,650. Okie said, this discourse will certainly have an impact on nickel price movements later. Okie maintains that this year's nickel price projection is in the range of US$ 18,280 per ton-US$ 20,000 per ton.

Sementara Okie mempertahankan rekomendasi beli saham ANTM dengan target harga Rp 2.650. Okie menyebut, wacana ini tentu akan berdampak bagi pergerakan harga nikel nantinya. Okie mempertahankan proyeksi harga nikel di tahun ini berada di rentang US$ 18.280 per ton-US$ 20.000 per ton.

Plan to Ban Low Grade Nickel

Exports, Antam (ANTM) Wait for

the Official Rules

Author: Mutiara Nabila

I

NVESTMENT Minister Bahlil Lahadalia

announced that he would make a regulation prohibiting the export of nickel processed products with levels below 30-40 percent, such as ferronickel and nickel pig iron (NPI). As a nickel processing company, PT Aneka Tambang Tbk is ready to follow the rules.

At a press conference, Friday (9/17/2021), Bahlil said he would make a regulation that might include a ban on the export of nickel-processed products with a content of 30-40 percent. This is done in order for the downstream nickel chain to be utilized. Meanwhile, nickel processed products with a content of more than 70 percent can still be exported.

In response to this, Antam's SVP Corporate Secretary Yulan Kustiyan said that currently the company will still focus on running the company's operations and strategic plans.

"Regarding this issue, we have yet to receive official information from the relevant technical ministry. In principle,...

Rencana Larangan Ekspor Nikel

Kadar Rendah, Antam (ANTM)

Tunggu Aturan Resmi

M

ENTERI Investasi Bahlil Lahadalia

meng-umumkan akan membuat aturan larangan ekspor produk olahan nikel dengan kadar di bawah 30 persen-40 persen, seperti fero-nikel dan nickel pig iron (NPI). Sebagai salah satu perusahaan pengolah nikel, PT Aneka Tambang Tbk siap ikut aturan.

Pada konferensi pers, Jumat (17/9/2021), Bahlil mengatakan akan membuat aturan yang mungkin memuat larangan tentang ekspor produk olahan nikel dengan kan-dungan 30 persen-40 persen. Hal tersebut, dilakukan dalam rangka agar mata rantai penghiliran nikel bisa dimanfaatkan.

Sementara itu, untuk produk olahan nikel dengan kandungan lebih dari 70 persen tetap bisa diekspor.

Menanggapi hal ini, SVP Corporate Secretary Antam Yulan Kustiyan mengatakan bahwa saat ini perusahaan masih akan berfokus dalam menjalankan operasional dan rencana strategis perusahaan.

“Terkait dengan isu tersebut hingga saat ini, kami masih belum menerima informasi secara resmi dari kementerian teknis terkait. Pada prinsipnya...

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Daily News Update Page 10 In principle, Antam always supports

government policies, in line with the company's commitment to mineral down-streaming," he told Bisnis, Thursday (23/9/2021).

Antam's nickel processing product (ferronickel) itself contains 80 percent iron and 20 percent nickel. Currently, the majority of these products are absorbed by the international market.

In semester I/2021, Antam recorded a ferronickel production volume of 12,679 tons of nickel in ferronickel (TNi). This number is relatively stable when compared to achievements in the same period in 2020.

"Antam recorded sales of unaudited ferronickel in the first semester of 2021 amounting to 12,068 TNi, which was fully absorbed by overseas export markets," explained management in a written statement.

Meanwhile, for nickel ore, the volume of nickel ore production in semester I/2021 which is used as raw material for Antam's ferronickel and sales to domestic customers was recorded at 5.34 million wet metric tons (wmt), or a significant increase of 287 percent compared to the previous semester. I/2020 of 1.38 million wmt.

In the first half of this year, Antam's sales volume of unaudited nickel ore to the domestic market reached 3.66 million wmt, a significant growth of more than 21 times compared to sales of 168,000 wmt in the first half of 2021. Editor : Hafiyyan

Pada prinsipnya Antam senantiasa men-dukung kebijakan pemerintah, sejalan dengan komitmen perusahaan dalam melaksanakan penghiliran mineral,” ujar-nya kepada Bisnis, Kamis (23/9/2021). Produk olahan nikel Antam (feronikel) sendiri memiliki kandungan 80 persen besi dan 20 persen nikel. Saat ini produk tersebut diserap mayoritas oleh pasar internasional.

Pada semester I/2021, Antam mencatatkan volume produksi feronikel sebesar 12.679 ton nikel dalam feronikel (TNi). Jumlah ini relatif stabil jika dibandingkan capaian pada periode yang sama pada 2020.

“Antam membukukan penjualan feronikel unaudited pada semester I/2021 sebesar 12.068 TNi, dimana sepenuhnya diserap oleh pasar ekspor di luar negeri,” jelas manajemen dalam keterangan tertulis. Sementara itu, untuk komoditas bijih nikel, volume produksi bijih nikel pada semester I/2021 yang digunakan sebagai bahan baku feronikel Antam dan penjulan kepada pelanggan domestik tercatat sebesar 5,34 juta wet metric ton (wmt), atau meningkat signifikan sebesar 287 persen dibanding-kan semester I/2020 sebesar 1,38 juta wmt.

Pada paruh pertama tahun ini, volume penjualan bijih nikel Antam unaudited ke pasar domestik mencapai 3,66 juta wmt, tumbuh signifikan lebih dari 21 kali lipat dibandingkan capaian penjualan sebesar 168.000 wmt pada semester I/2021. Editor : Hafiyyan

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PTFI Boss: Papua Receives Rp 8

T/Year Regional Tax from

Freeport

T

HE EXISTENCE of PT Freeport Indonesia

has a positive correlation with regional and district revenues. This was conveyed by the President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia Tony Wenas in the Mining Zone

program "Exploring Freeport's Contribution

to Papua and Indonesia" CNBC Indonesia, Wednesday (22/09/2021).

"Of course if you look at his contribution, his contribution will be very large for this nation," he said.

Tony said that with the current mining pattern and coupled with the current good commodity prices, it is estimated that Freeport can contribute to state revenues of Rp 560 trillion.

Then with a mining permit in the form of a Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK), provincial and district revenues will increase significantly compared to the Contract of Work (KK) era. Moreover, Papua province and Mimika district also have a 10% stake.

"So they will receive additional dividends

in addition to local taxes, such as the surface water tax, which was previously only US$ 3 million per year, so it has become US$ 15 million per year," he explained.

"For example, the Papuan government, both provincial and district can get from local taxes only Rp 7 trillion to Rp 8 trillion per year. This is a triple win that benefits the government, Freeport, and the community," he continued. (miq/miq)

Bos PTFI: Papua Dapat Pajak

Daerah Rp8 T/Tahun dari

Freeport

K

EBERADAAN PT Freeport Indonesia

berkorelasi positif kepada penerimaan daerah baik provinsi dan kabupaten. Hal tersebut disampaikan oleh Presiden Direktur PT Freeport Indonesia Tony Wenas dalam program Mining Zone "Menggali Kontribusi Freeport untuk Papua dan Indonesia" CNBC Indonesia, Rabu (22/09/2021).

"Tentu kalau dilihat dari kontribusinya, kontribusinya akan sangat besar bagi bangsa ini," ungkapnya.

Tony bilang dengan pola penambangan yang sekarang dan ditambah dengan harga komoditas yang baik saat ini, diperkirakan Freeport bisa menyumbang pada pene-rimaan negara sebesar Rp 560 triliun.

Kemudian dengan izin tambang berupa Izin Usaha Pertambangan Khusus (IUPK) penda-patan provinsi dan kabupaten akan naik signifikan dibandingkan dengan era Kontrak Karya (KK). Apalagi provinsi Papua dan kabupaten Mimika turut memiliki saham 10%.

"Sehingga mereka akan mendapatkan

tambahan lagi dari dividen di samping pajak-pajak daerah, misalnya seperti pajak-pajak air per-mukaan yang tadinya kami hanya US$ 3 juta per tahun, jadi US$ 15 juta per tahun," jelasnya.

"Misal pemerintah Papua, baik provinsi dan kabupaten bisa mendapatkan dari pajak daerah saja Rp 7 triliun hingga Rp 8 triliun

per tahun. Ini triple win yang menguntungkan

pemerintah, Freeport, dan masyarakat," lanjutnya.(miq/miq)

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Bukit Asam Sells Treasury Stock

Rp 691.1 Billion

Ghafur Fadillah

P

T BUKIT Asam Tbk (PTBA) transferred

303.14 million treasury shares on September 22, 2021. The company reaped fresh funds of Rp 691.17 billion.

Bukit Asam Corporate Secretary Apollonius Andwie C explained that the transfer was carried out by selling outside the stock exchange or private placement. Acting as the recipient of the transfer of shares, namely BNI Sekuritas, BRI Danareksa Sekuritas, and Bahana Sekuritas. The price set in this action is Rp 2,280 per share or based on the closing price the day before the sale date.

“The price is not lower than Rp 2,197 per share from the average closing price for the last 90 days before the sale date. Thus, the selling price is in accordance with the provisions of POJK No. 2 of 2013," explained Apollonius in a written state-ment, Thursday (23/9).

Apollonius added that the savings shares sold by the company were the results of the buyback in the period from September 2, 2015 to December 1, 2015. The buyback amounted to 330.29 million or equivalent to 2.87% of the company's total shares. This action is the fourth time, the same action was carried out by the company on December 4, 2019.

The funds obtained from the transfer of deposit shares on September 22, 2021 have not been deducted from placement fees and taxes imposed by the stock exchange (placement fees), which are Rp 691.17 billion.

Bukit Asam Jual

Treasury Stock

Rp 691,1 Miliar

Ghafur Fadillah

P

T BUKIT Asam Tbk (PTBA) melakukan

pengalihan saham simpanan (treasury

stock) sebanyak 303,14 juta saham pada 22

September 2021. Perseroan meraup dana segar sebesar Rp 691,17 miliar.

Sekretaris Perusahaan Bukit Asam Apollonius

Andwie C menjelaskan, pengalihan dilaku-kan dengan metode penjualan di luar bursa atau private placement. Bertindak sebagai penerima pengalihan saham, yakni BNI Sekuritas, BRI Danareksa Sekuritas, dan Bahana Sekuritas. Adapun harga yang ditetapkan dalam aksi ini Rp 2.280 per saham atau berdasarkan harga penutupan sehari sebelum tanggal penjualan.

“Harga tersebut tidak lebih rendah dari Rp 2.197 per saham dari harga rata-rata penutupan selama 90 hari terakhir sebelum tanggal penjualan. Dengan demikian, harga penjualan sesuai dengan ketentuan POJK No. 2 Tahun 2013,” jelas Apollonius dalam keterangan tertulis, Kamis (23/9).

Apollonius menambahkan, saham simpanan yang dijual perseroan yakni hasil buyback pada periode 2 September 2015 hingga 1 Desember 2015. Jumlah buyback sebanyak 330,29 juta atau setara dengan 2,87% dari keseluruhan saham perseroan. Aksi ini menjadi keempat kalinya, aksi yang sama dilakukan perseroan pada 4 Desember 2019.

Dana yang diperoleh dari hasil pengalihan saham simpanan pada 22 September 2021 belum dikurangi dengan biaya placement dan pajak yang dikenakan oleh bursa efek (placement fee), yaitu sejumlah Rp 691,17 miliar.

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Daily News Update Page 13 "However, when considering the

accumulated funds obtained by the company by taking into account the sales on April 2, 2019, May 8, 2019, December 4, 2019 and September 22, 2021, the funds obtained by the company without considering the placement fee amounted to Rp. 2.86 trillion," he said.

Previously, Bukit Asam stated that in the future the company will focus on three types of business development, namely increasing coal transportation capacity, power generation business, and coal downstreaming.

"In the first semester of 2021, we succeeded in increasing the transportation capacity from Tanjung Enim to Tarahan," said Bukit Asam Business Development Director Fuad Iskandar Zulkarnain Fachroeddin in a virtual public expose. The company will also build a new renewable energy (EBT) power plant in collaboration with Angkasa Pura II at Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta), to be precise at the Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC) Building.

Not only that, the company is currently building the largest mine mouth steam power plant in Indonesia with a capacity of 1,240 megawatts (MW). Construction progress as of August 2021 has reached 89.4%. Unit 1 is expected to be completed by the end of this year and unit 2 is expected to be completed in March 2022. Bukit Asam is also in intensive discussion with PT PLN (Persero) to utilize the company's post-mining land, the first in Tanjung Enim, the second in Ombilin, West Sumatra, and the third in East Kalimantan. In the project, PTBA will build a power plant with a large enough capacity, starting from 200 megawatts (MW) for the size of EBT, especially solar power plants.

“Namun, bila menimbang akumulasi dana yang diperoleh oleh perseroan dengan memperhatikan penjualan pada tanggal 2 April 2019, 8 Mei 2019, 4 Desember 2019 dan 22 September 2021, maka dana yang diperoleh oleh perseroan tanpa memper-timbangkan placement fee sebesar Rp 2,86 triliun,” kata dia.

Adapun sebelumnya, Bukit Asam menyata-kan bahwa ke depan perseroan amenyata-kan fokus pada tiga jenis pengembangan usaha, yaitu peningkatan kapasitas angkutan batu bara, bisnis pembangkit listrik, dan hilirisasi batu bara.

“Pada semester I-2021, kami berhasil meningkatkan kapasitas angkutan dari Tanjung Enim menuju Tarahan,” kata Direktur Pengembangan Usaha Bukit Asam Fuad Iskandar Zulkarnain Fachroeddin dalam paparan publik virtual.

Perseroan juga akan membangun pem-bangkit listrik energi baru terbarukan (EBT) bekerjasama dengan Angkasa Pura II di Bandara Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta), tepatnya di Gedung Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC).

Tidak hanya itu, perseroan tengah membangun PLTU mulut tambang terbesar di Indonesia dengan kapasitas 1.240 megawatt (MW). Progres konstruksi per Agustus 2021 sudah mencapai 89,4%. Unit 1 diperkirakan selesai akhir tahun ini dan unit 2 selesai Maret 2022.

Bukit Asam juga sedang berdiskusi intensif dengan PT PLN (Persero) untuk meman-faatkan lahan pasca tambang perseroan yang pertama di Tanjung Enim, kedua di Ombilin Sumatera Barat, dan ketiga di Kalimantan Timur. Dalam proyek tersebut, PTBA akan membangun pembangkit dengan kapasitas yang cukup besar, mulai 200 megawatt (MW) untuk ukuran EBT, khususnya pembangkit listrik tenaga surya.

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Daily News Update Page 14 Lastly, Bukit Asam is in the process of

building Coal Dimethyl Ether (DME) to replace LPG in collaboration with Pertamina and Air Products & Chemicals Inc (APCI). “We will convert 6 million tons of coal which is converted into syngas. Then, it is converted into methanol, then converted into DME to produce 1.4 million tons of DME,” he concluded. Editor : Jauhari Mahardhika

Terakhir, Bukit Asam dalam proses mem-bangun Coal Dimethyl Ether (DME) untuk menggantikan LPG bekerjasama dengan Pertamina dan Air Products & Chemicals Inc (APCI). “Kami akan mengonversi 6 juta ton batu bara yang diubah menjadi syngas. Kemudian, diubah menjadi metanol, lalu diubah menjadi DME untuk menghasilkan 1,4 juta ton DME,” pungkasnya. Editor : Jauhari Mahardhika

Concerning the Ban on Low

Grade Nickel Exports, Vale

Indonesia (INCO) Is Not Affected

T

HE GOVERNMENT, through the Minister

of Investment, Bahlil Lahadalia, recently announced that it would make a regulation prohibiting nickel processed products with levels below 30-40 percent, such as ferronickel and nickel pig iron (NPI). Related issuers ask that this regulation be reviewed well with industry players. Previously, at a press conference on Friday (17/9/2021), Bahlil said he would make a regulation that might include a ban on the export of nickel-processed products with a content of 30-40 percent.

This is done in order for the downstream nickel chain to be utilized. Meanwhile, nickel processed products with a content of more than 70 percent can be exported. "This step is taken to maintain Indonesia's current nickel reserves and increase the added value of the commodity," he said.

Soal Larangan Ekspor Nikel

Kadar Rendah, Vale Indonesia

(INCO) Tak Terpengaruh

P

EMERINTAH melalui Menteri Investasi

Bahlil Lahadalia baru-baru ini mengumum-kan amengumum-kan membuat aturan larangan produk olahan nikel dengan kadar di bawah 30-40 persen, seperti feronikel dan nickel pig iron (NPI). Emiten terkait meminta aturan ini dikaji baik dengan para pelaku industri.

Sebelumnya, pada konferensi pers, Jumat (17/9/2021), Bahlil mengatakan akan membuat aturan yang mungkin memuat larangan tentang ekspor produk olahan nikel dengan kandungan 30 persen-40 persen.

Hal tersebut, dilakukan dalam rangka agar mata rantai hilirisasi nikel bisa diman-faatkan. Sementara, untuk produk olahan nikel dengan kandungan lebih dari 70 persen bisa diekspor.

“Langkah ini dilakukan untuk menjaga cadangan nikel yang dimiliki Indonesia saat ini serta meningkatkan nilai tambah komoditas,” ujarnya.

(15)

Daily News Update Page 15 In response to this, the Director of nickel

issuer PT Vale Indonesia Tbk. (INCO) Bernardus Irmanto said that the possibility of the discourse was to encourage down-stream nickel products in Indonesia. "Of course this discourse must be studied carefully by considering input from industry players," he told Bisnis, Thursday (23/9/2021).

Vale's own product is nickel matte with a nickel content of 78 percent, or above the 70 percent threshold as planned by the government. Thus, this new rule will not have a major impact on the company. Regarding the regulation, Investment Minister Bahlil has not yet released the details of the policy. However, this plan is in line with the government's desire to encourage Indonesia to become an exporter of finished products, not raw materials.

Meanwhile, prior to this plan, the government had issued a ban on nickel ore exports which took effect on January 1, 2020.

The provisions for the ban on nickel ore exports are contained in the Minister of ESDM Regulation Number 11 of 2019 concerning the Second Amendment to the Minister of ESDM Number 25 of 2018 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining. Based on the regulation, nickel ore grades below 1.7 percent cannot be shipped overseas. Editor : Hafiyyan

Menanggapi hal ini, Direktur emiten nikel PT Vale Indonesia Tbk. (INCO) Bernardus Irmanto mengatakan bahwa kemungkinan wacana tersebut untuk mendorong hiliri-sasi produk nikel di Indonesia.

“Tentu wacana ini harus dikaji baik-baik dengan mempertimbangkan masukan dari pelaku industri,” ujarnya kepada Bisnis, Kamis (23/9/2021).

Produk Vale sendiri adalah nickel matte dengan kandungan nickel 78 persen, atau di atas threshold 70 persen seperti yang diwacanakan pemerintah. Sehingga, aturan baru ini tidak akan memberikan dampak besar terhadap perusahaan.

Terkait aturan tersebut, Menteri Investasi Bahlil juga sampai saat ini belum menge-luarkan perincian beleidnya. Namun, rencana ini sejalan dengan keinginan pemerintah untuk mendorong Indonesia menjadi negara pengekspor produk jadi, bukan bahan mentah.

Adapun, sebelum rencana ini, pemerintah sudah pernah mengeluarkan aturan larangan ekspor bijih nikel yang berlaku pada 1 Januari 2020.

Ketentuan larangan ekspor bijih nikel tertuang pada Peraturan Menteri ESDM Nomor 11 Tahun 2019 tentang Perubahan Kedua Atas Permen ESDM Nomor 25 Tahun 2018 tentang Pengusahaan Pertam-bangan Mineral dan Batubara.

Berdasarkan aturan tersebut, bijih nikel dengan kadar di bawah 1,7 persen tidak dapat dikirim ke luar negeri. Editor : Hafiyyan

(16)

The government will ban the

export of processed nickel by

30%-40%, smelter investment

could be hampered

Reporter: Filemon Agung | Editor: Herlina Kartika Dewi

T

HE SMELTER investment which is

currently underway is in danger of stalling. The reason is that the government plans to close the export tap of nickel processed products by 30-40 percent for the sake of security of reserves and increasing added value.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI) Meidy Katrin Lengkey said that by 2025 it is targeted that there will be 98 processing plants targeted to be established in Indonesia. Of these, only 31 are operating while others are in the construction and licensing stages.

With the government's plan to impose a ban on exports of nickel processed products of 30% to 40%, it is feared that this investment interest will be disrupted. Meidy said that her party had received many questions from business actors in foreign countries who asked about the government's plan.

In addition to investment conditions, the readiness of the downstream industry to absorb low grade processed products has also been highlighted by APNI. If then exports are stopped, there is a concern that the domestic industry is not ready to absorb the existing production.

Pemerintah akan larang ekspor

nikel olahan 30%-40%,

investasi smelter bisa

terhambat

Reporter: Filemon Agung | Editor: Herlina Kartika Dewi

I

NVESTASI smelter yang kini tengah

berlangsung terancam tersendat. Pasalnya, pemerintah berencana menutup keran ekspor produk olahan nikel 30%-40% demi keamanan cadangan dan peningkatan nilai tambah.

Sekretaris Jenderal Asosiasi Penambang Nikel Indonesia (APNI) Meidy Katrin Lengkey mengatakan, hingga 2025 di-targetkan bakal ada 98 pabrik pengolahan yang ditargetkan berdiri di Indonesia. Dari jumlah tersebut, baru 31 yang ber-operasi sementara lainnya dalam tahapan konstruksi dan perizinan.

Dengan rencana pemerintah menerapkan larangan ekspor produk olahan nikel 30% hingga 40% maka dikhawatirkan bakal membuat minat investasi ini terganggu. Meidy mengungkapkan pihaknya telah mendapat banyak pertanyaan dari pelaku usaha di negara luar yang menanyakan terkait rencana pemerintah ini.

Selain kondisi investasi, kesiapan industri hilir untuk menyerap produk olahan kadar rendah pun juga jadi sorotan APNI. Jika kemudian ekspor dihentikan, maka ada kekhawatiran industri dalam negeri belum siap menyerap produksi yang ada.

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Daily News Update Page 17 In response to this situation, APNI asked

the government to implement a gradual policy. As a first step, the imposition of taxes is considered feasible.

"The first step is to charge taxes first, so they can still make it easier to invest," explained Meidy in an IDX Channel Live broadcast, Thursday (23/9).

Meidy added, with the imposition of taxes, there is the potential for additional state revenues that can be received. Later, as time goes by, in the next 3 to 5 years, the government can take an export ban policy, especially if the domestic market is ready. On the other hand, APNI also believes that the government needs to ensure a good nickel trade system, especially from the upstream side. With better practices on the upstream side, the downstream industry is also considered to be more secure for the certainty of raw materials.

"There is still a lot of gravel in the upstream, the upstream must be trimmed so that it supports the downstream industry," said Meidy.

Meanwhile, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) Bernardus Irmanto ensured that Vale's nickel processed products are nickel matte with a nickel content of 78% or above the 70% content limit.

"The possibility of the discourse on the export ban is to encourage the growth of downstream nickel products in Indonesia, especially for NPI/FeNi products with nickel content below 40%," Bernardus explained to Kontan, Tuesday (21/9). Meanwhile, SVP Corporate Secretary of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) Yulan Kustiyan said that currently ANTM's nickel processing product is in the form of ferronickel. This product is absorbed by the international market.

Menanggapi situasi ini, APNI meminta pemerintah memberlakukan kebijakan yang bertahap. Sebagai langkah awal, pengenaan pajak dinilai dapat dilakukan.

"Langkah awalnya dibebankan pajak dulu kali ya sehingga mereka masih bisa lebih ringan untuk berinvestasi," terang Meidy

dalam siaran IDX Channel Live, Kamis (23/9).

Meidy menambahkan, dengan pengenaan pajak maka ada potensi penambahan penerimaan negara yang bisa diterima. Nantinya, seiring berjalannya waktu dalam 3 tahun hingga 5 tahun mendatang barulah kebijakan larangan ekspor dapat diambil pemerintah khususnya jika pasar dalam negeri sudah siap.

Disisi lain, APNI pun menilai pemerintah perlu memastikan jalannya tata niaga nikel secara baik khususnya dari sisi hulu. Dengan praktik yang lebih baik disisi hulu maka industri hilir pun dinilai bakal lebih terjamin untuk kepastian bahan baku. "Kerikil di hulu masih banyak, hulu dulu dirapikan sehingga mendukung industri hilir," kata Meidy.

Sementara itu, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO) Bernardus Irmanto memastikan produk olahan nikel Vale adalah nickel matte dengan kandungan nikel 78% atau di atas batas kandungan 70%.

"Kemungkinan wacana pelarangan ekspor tersebut adalah untuk mendorong tumbuh-nya hilirisasi produk nickel di Indonesia, terutama untuk produk NPI/Fe Ni dengan kandungan nikel di bawah 40%," terang Bernardus kepada Kontan, Selasa (21/9). Adapun, SVP Corporate Secretary PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) Yulan Kustiyan mengungkapkan saat ini produk olahan nikel ANTM berupa feronikel. Produk ini diserap pasar internasional.

(18)

Daily News Update Page 18 His party also confirmed that they have not

received official information regarding the planned export ban, although ANTM is ready to support government policies. "In principle, ANTAM always supports government policies, in line with the company's commitment to carry out mineral downstreaming," Yulan said to Kontan, Tuesday (21/9).

Pihaknya pun memastikan saat ini belum menerima informasi resmi terkait rencana larangan ekspor, kendati demikian ANTM siap mendukung kebijakan pemerintah. "Pada prinsipnya ANTAM senantiasa mendukung kebijakan pemerintah, sejalan dengan komitmen perusahaan dalam melaksanakan hilirisasi mineral," kata Yulan kepada Kontan, Selasa (21/9).

Xi Jinping Ignored, Coal Price

Sets a Record Approaching

US$190/Ton!

Hidayat Setiaji, CNBC Indonesia

T

HE PRICE of coal has increased again.

Now the price of the black stone is trying to touch the point of US$ 190/ton.

Yesterday, the price of coal on the ICE Newcastle (Australia) market was recorded at US$ 189.3/ton. Soared 3.58% compared to the previous day's closing position as well as being the highest record since at least 2008.

Coal did not flinch despite the 'bluff' from China. At the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his country's commit-ment to becoming carbon neutral by 2060. "We will make every effort to achieve this goal," he stressed, as quoted from AFP. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, Xi said China will not fund the construction of new Steam Power Plants (PLTU) overseas. PLTU is a power plant that uses coal as a primary energy source.

Xi Jinping Dicuekin, Harga Batu

Bara Rekor Dekati US$190/Ton!

Hidayat Setiaji, CNBC Indonesia

H

ARGA batu bara naik lagi, Kini harga si

batu hitam mencoba menyentuh titik US$ 190/ton.

Kemarin, harga batu bara di pasar ICE Newcastle (Australia) tercatat US$ 189,3/ ton. Melesat 3,58% dibandingkan posisi penutupan perdagangan hari sebelumnya sekaligus menjadi rekor tertinggi setidak-nya sejak 2008.

Batu bara tidak gentar meski ada 'gertakan' dari China. Dalam Sidang Majelis Umum Perserikatan Bangsa-bangsa (PBB). Presiden China Xi Jinping menegaskan komitmen negaranya untuk menuju karbon netral pada 2060.

"Kami akan melakukan segala upaya untuk mencapai tujuan ini," tegasnya, seperti dikutip dari AFP.

Untuk mencapai netral karbon pada 2060, Xi mengungkapkan China tidak akan mendanai pembangunan Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Uap (PLTU) baru di luar negeri. PLTU adalah pembangkit yang menggunakan batu bara sebagai sumber energi primer.

(19)

Daily News Update Page 19 But Xi's target is gradual, it can't be

absolute. Because China is currently the largest coal consumer on planet earth. In 2019, coal consumption in the Bamboo Curtain country reached 4.36 billion tons. United States (US) in second position 'only' 924.44 million tons.

Gas Prices Get More Expensive

In addition, there are other reasons that make coal difficult to abandon, at least in the near future. As a primary energy source for power generation, coal is still more economical than other sources. Coal's closest 'competitor' is natural gas. The problem is, now the price of gas is expensive, it keeps rising.

On Friday (9/24/2021) at 07:57 WIB, the price of gas at Henry Hub (Oklahoma, USA) was recorded at US$ 5.05/MMBtu. Up 1.43% from the previous day and since the end of 2020 (year-to-date) it has posted a surge of 98.78%.

When the price of gas is high, the cost of generating electricity with primary energy also increases. In Europe, for example, the cost of coal-fired power generation is EUR 73.38/MWh as of 21 September 2021. While the cost of coal-fired power generation is EUR 44.18/MWh.

"The increase in gas prices makes coal competitive, thereby increasing demand for coal. Looking at the price of forwards contracts, it looks like this situation will last at least until early 2022," said Toby Hassall, an analyst at Refinitiv, in his research. CNBC INDONESIA RESEARCH TEAM (aji/aji)

Namun target Xi memang bertahap, tidak bisa ujug-ujug. Sebab, saat ini China adalah konsumen batu bara terbesar di planet bumi.

Pada 2019, konsumsi batu bara di Negeri Tirai Bambu mencapai 4,36 miliar ton. Amerika Serikat (AS) di posisi kedua 'cuma' 924,44 juta ton.

Harga Gas Tambah Mahal

Selain itu, ada alasan lain yang membuat batu bara sulit ditinggalkan, setidaknya dalam waktu dekat. Sebagai sumber energi primer untuk pembangkit listrik, batu bara masih lebih ekonomis dibandingkan sumber lainnya.

'Pesaing' terdekat batu bara adalah gas alam. Masalahnya, sekarang harga gas pun mahal, naik terus.

Pada Jumat (24/9/2021) pukul 07:57 WIB, harga gas di Henry Hub (Oklahoma, AS) tercatat US$ 5,05/MMBtu. Naik 1,43% dari hari sebelumnya dan sejak akhir 2020 (year-to-date) sudah membukukan lonjakan 98,78%.

Saat harga gas mahal, biaya pembangkitan listrik dengan energi primer itu jadi ikut menanjak. Di Eropa, misalnya, biaya pembangkitan listrik dengan batu bara adalah EUR 73,38/MWh per 21 September 2021. Sementara biaya pembangkitan listrik dengan batu bara adalah EUR 44,18/MWh.

"Kenaikan harga gas membuat batu bara menjadi kompetitif sehingga meningkatkan permintaan batu bara. Melihat harga kontrak forwards, sepertinya situasi ini masih akan bertahan setidaknya sampai awal 2022," sebut Toby Hassall, Analis Refinitiv, dalam risetnya. TIM RISET CNBC INDONESIA (aji/aji)

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China's Chengxin to invest in lithium project in Indonesia

C

HINA's Chengxin Lithium said on Thursday it would take a 65% stake in a $350 million

lithium project in Indonesia as it looks to build production capacity overseas. The plant, which will make lithium chemicals used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, will be located in Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) on the island of Sulawesi.

The park is already home to several Chinese-invested projects, including some designed to produce two other battery metals, nickel and cobalt. Chengxin said in a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange that Singapore-incorporated Stellar Investment Pte would hold the remaining 35% in the joint venture, which is to be known as PT. ChengTok Lithium Indonesia. It will produce 50,000 tonnes a year of lithium hydroxide and 10,000 tonnes a year of lithium carbonate, the filing said, without specifying the source of the raw materials.

Indonesia is the world's biggest nickel miner but banned exports of nickel ore from the start of 2020 as it sought to process more of its resources at home and set up a complete EV battery supply chain in the country. Last week, South Korea's LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor Group started construction on a $1.1 billion plant to make EV batteries in Indonesia's West Java province.

"This investment will greatly expand the company's lithium salt business production capacity," Shenzhen-based Chengxin said. "After the project is put into operation, it will significantly increase the company's revenue and profitability," it added, without providing a projected start-up date.

In a separate filing on Thursday, Chengxin flagged another overseas move by saying its Hong Kong subsidiary had agreed to buy Argentinian miner Salta Exploraciones S.A. for $37.7 million. (Reporting by Tom Daly; additional reporting by Meg Shen; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

Top copper producers show some love for Peru’s leftist leader

Bloomberg News

S

OME of the world’s biggest miners say they like what they’re hearing from Peru’s new leftist

government of late, further easing fears that drastic policy changes could stall future output in the No. 2 copper nation.

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. boss Richard Adkerson said Thursday at an industry event that he was left “encouraged” from a recent meeting with President Pedro Castillo, a former rural union activist from a Marxist party. At the same conference two days earlier, BHP Group’s president for minerals in the Americas, Ragnar Udd, complimented the government’s “strategic” approach.

(21)

Daily News Update Page 21 The praise marks a sharp turnaround from the investor anxiety that surrounded elections in April, when Castillo vowed to nationalize assets, block projects and take a bigger share of the mineral windfall to fight poverty. The polarizing process spurred concern that a far more onerous operating environment would derail investments needed to help fill a looming copper supply gap as the world tries to wean itself off fossil fuels.

Adkerson, Udd and other executives speaking this week at the virtual Peruvian event known as Perumin highlighted the huge potential for the South American nation to capitalize on rising global demand to boost communities and the broader economy. But given mining’s historically tense relations with communities in Peru, speakers were also clear to underscore the industry’s collaborative and sustainable approach going forward.

And while the more moderate factions in the administration may have won favor of late, Castillo still plans to raise taxes to fight poverty — which explains some cautionary remarks. “Other nations are also well resourced, and the nature of this industry is that not every opportunity will be realized — investment capital is a finite resource that competes on a global scale,” BHP’s Udd said.

American mining veteran Adkerson, who oversees the top publicly traded copper company, also spoke of the “complicated issues” that still have to be addressed. “But as miners, we want to listen to the problems and find ways of working with the government, communities and the country in trying to address them,” the Freeport CEO said. (By James Attwood, with assistance from María Cervantes)

Tin pushes towards record highs as supply tightens

T

IN prices moved towards record highs on Thursday as a shortage of inventories in the

London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouse system pushed up premiums for quickly deliverable material.

Industrial metals broadly were boosted by optimism that China, the biggest market, can avoid a damaging collapse of one of its biggest property developers, Evergrande. Benchmark LME tin was up 2% at $35,680 a tonne at 1630 GMT after rising 3.1% on Wednesday.

The metal used in solder and lead-acid batteries is up more than 70% this year and last month touched an all-time high of $35,955.

Demand growth will outpace supply as the world ditches fossil fuels for electrification, said WisdomTree analyst Nitesh Shah. "The trend (for prices) has got to be higher," he said.

EVERGRANDE: Chinese regulators have asked China Evergrande Group to avoid a near-term default on its dollar bonds, Bloomberg Law reported on Thursday.

MARKETS: Global equities markets rallied, brushing off concerns over the Federal Reserve's plans to taper its stimulus.

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Daily News Update Page 22 DOLLAR: With investors embracing riskier assets, the U.S. dollar weakened, helping dollar-priced metals by making them cheaper for non-U.S. buyers.

INVENTORIES: On-warrant stocks of tin available in LME-registered warehouses have fallen to 675 tonnes from around 1,500 tonnes in July and more than 5,000 tonnes a year ago. SPREAD: Lower stocks have pushed the premium for cash tin over the three-month contract to $1,334 a tonne from around $400 at the start of September.

SHFE STOCKS: Inventories in Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) warehouses have fallen to 1,278 tonnes from more than 8,500 tonnes in March.

DEFICITS: The 380,000-tonne tin market will see a 10,200-tonne deficit this year and a 12,700-tonne deficit in 2022, the International Tin Association said in June. NICKEL: A global nickel market deficit declined to 24,700 tonnes in July from 32,400 tonnes in June, data from the International Nickel Study Group (INSG) showed.

METALS PRICES: LME copper was roughly unchanged at $9,287.50 a tonne, aluminium was up 0.4% at $2,947, zinc rose 2.3% to $3,094.50, nickel gained 1.5% to $19,510 and lead was up 1% at $2,134.50.

(Reporting by Peter Hobson; Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen and Tom Daly; Editing by Jan Harvey and David Evans)

Weekly US coal production rises 1% on week: EIA

Author: Morgan Snook; Editor: Valarie Jackson

C

OAL production in the US totaled 12.01 million st in the week ended Sept. 18, up 1% week

on week and 11% from year-ago levels, according to Energy Information Administration data released Sept. 23.

From January through Sept. 18, US coal production stood at 415.98 million st, up 8.4% from the corresponding period of 2020.

Powder River Basin

As usual, the lion's share of coal was produced in the Powder River Basin, primarily made up of Wyoming and Montana. At 5.5 million st, PRB production rose 1% on the week and 9.1% on the year in week 38. PRB production for the year to Sept. 18 stood at 185.76 million st, up 6.4% from the same period last year. In the latest EIA reported week, Montana produced an estimated 551,387 st of coal, while Wyoming produced 4.95 million st.

NAPP

After the PRB, the Northern Appalachian region was the most productive coal region in week 38. An estimated 1.86 million st of coal was produced, down 1.2% on the week but 22.6% above year-ago levels. NAPP production from January through Sept. 18 was 67.07 million st, up 26.9% from 52.86 million st in 2020.

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Illinois Basin

The Illinois Basin was the third-most productive coal region in week 38 at 1.55 million st, up 3.9% on the week and 14.6% on the year. In terms of week-on-week production growth, the Illinois Basin rose by the highest percentage in the nation. From January through week 38, IB production totaled 55.37 million st, up 13.4% from the corresponding year-ago period.

CAPP

The Central Appalachian region produced the least coal in the week that ended Sept. 18 at 1.25 million st, down 0.2% from the previous week, but up 10.3% from the year-ago week. From January through Sept. 18, CAPP production was 46.4 million st, up 4.7% from the corresponding period of 2020.

Production in nonprimary coal basins totaled 1.86 million st in the week ended Sept. 18.

Coking coal price hits record highs as Chinese steel-makers face pain

ABC Rural/By Tom Major

T

HE PRICE of metallurgical coal has risen to record levels as trade tensions and border

problems push the cost for Chinese importers sky-high.

Coal for coking purposes has soared despite declines in iron ore values attributed to Chinese steel-makers abiding by a government directive to avoid buying from Australia.

The value has surged to $US410 a tonne in the past week, representing a more than tripling in price since early 2020.

Coking coal is now overtaking iron ore as the largest input cost for many of the world's steel mills.

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Daily News Update Page 24 Mining analyst Peter Strachan said while the booming price appeared counterintuitive given the slide in iron ore demand, logistical issues in Asia were at play.

"Normally they get a lot across the border from Mongolia but COVID restrictions have meant they haven't been able to get enough truck drivers to do it," he said.

"Shipping costs have skyrocketed, the Chinese are just scrambling and paying over $US500 a tonne for the stuff delivered. Ex-Newcastle it's well over $US400, that's a new high."

With poor domestic supplies of metallurgical coal, Chinese buyers were racing to source shipments from across Asia, North America and as far afield as Columbia as a result.

As a result of China's hunt for new suppliers, major steel-making nations with limited domestic metallurgical coal such as India, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and the EU are now increasingly turning to Australia.

Director of the Bowen Basin Mining Club Jodie Currie said the loss of the Chinese market had opened new doors for the region's miners.

"I think it gave them opportunity to look at other markets, Queensland coal is sought after across the world," she said.

"There were certainly shock waves sent through the industry but we've diversified, we've looked at other markets."

Property market-induced slide

Concerns over the financial woes of Evergrande, one of China's leading property developers has been seen by many commentators as a catalyst for the declining iron ore value.

Analyst Peter Strachan said, with increased recycling of metals domestically, metallurgical coal demand in China could reach a peak soon.

"Eventually there will be a correction, the Evergrande issue is going to put a hiatus on the expansion of steel-making," he said.

"We're also seeing a lot more scrap iron coming though the [steel production] system, eventually China's going to move towards 20, 30 per cent of their steel coming from scrap." Falling steel production through July and August as a result of the planned cap on steel-making has been mirrored by a decline in other polluting industries such as cement, another sector blamed for poor air quality in Chinese cities.

"There are a number of climate-related, clean-air issues, the big polluters tend to cut back ahead of winter, especially with the Winter Olympics coming," Mr Strachan said.

After the price of iron ore crashed from $230 in May to as low as $93 a tonne in recent weeks, some stability returned to the market in recent days following indications Evergrande will pay interest payments due today.

The price rose back above the $US100 mark in mid-week trade.

Supply-side constraints

The Queensland Resources Council's (QRC) recent state of the sector report highlighted a skilled worker shortage as a handbrake on mining's expansion during the COVID-19 era.

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Daily News Update Page 25 Describing the situation as a "perfect storm of labour shortages at a time of continued growth" CEO Ian McFarlane pointed to government predictions that Queensland's coal exports would rise 23 per cent by 2025.

Finding and retaining skilled employees rose to number one in the QRC's latest CEO sentiment survey as workers across the mining sector surged to 85,000, a two-thirds increase in five years.

"This growth in resources jobs, which has surged since COVID, is around six times the relative growth experienced across the rest of Queensland's workforce over the same five-year period," Mr McFarlane said.

Ms Currie said the industry accepted it had failed on worker retention in the past and was committed to changes.

"We have probably done ourselves an injustice over the years in not investing as much as we should have," she said.

On concerns from the CFMEU about growing casualisation in the workforce, Ms Currie said miners were best placed to decide how to operate their workforces.

"I can see where [unions] are coming from and there are challenges but for mining companies there are reasons for that."

The QRC plans to expand its Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, aimed at encouraging students into mining and associated careers to 100 schools by 2023.

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