Rare earth elements (REEs), especially heavy REEs (HREEs), are important in modern industry. However, the conventional mining technique applies excessive usage of ammonium-salt-based leaching agents to recover HREEs from ion-adsorption rare earth deposits (IADs), which exhibits low efficiency and devastating environmental impact on the local ecosystem.Thus, it’s necessary to shift from the traditional “mountain scraping” type of mining to a new generation of green HREE mining.Recently, a research team led by Prof. HE Hongping from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a new technique, electrokinetic mining (EKM), for the green and efficient recovery of REEs from weathering crusts.The technique exerts a voltage on the top and bottom of the IAD, which generates an electric field to accelerate REE and water migration toward the cathode.Compared with conventional techniques, EKM achieves ca. 90% recovery efficiency, ca. 80% decrease in leaching agent usage, and ca.70% reduction in metallic impurities in the obtained REEs.The study was published in Nature Sustainability on Oct. 31.To evaluate the feasibility of EKM for REE recovery, Prof. HE’s lab first carried out bench-scale experiments in a homemade prototype with a simulated IAD. Results suggested that the REE recovery efficiency achieved by the EKM technique was 2.6 times higher than that achieved by the ammonium leaching technique.Then, they further carried out scaled-up experiments at the kilogram scale (20 kg) in a larger EKM setup. The results were consistent with bench-scale experiments, i.e., the EKM technique can achieve higher recovery efficiency and requires less treatment time.Based on the successful bench-scale and scaled-up experiments, they applied the EKM technique to an actual IAD (~14 t-scale) via an on-site field experiment. Results suggested that the REE recovery efficiency achieved higher than 90% in 264 hours.The researchers further explored mechanisms underlying the high REE recovery efficiency of the EKM. “The applied electric field that accelerates REEs and water migration unidirectionally towards the designed place via electromigration and electroosmosis is the key for enhancing REE recovery efficiency,” said Prof. HE.Apart from the sustainability and high recovery efficiency, the EKM shows selectivity for REEs as compared with other metallic impurities (Al3+, Ca2+ Na+, and K+), i.e., the collected metallic impurities are decreased by using the EKM technique. “We identified an autonomous impurity purification mechanism during the electrokinetic process, which is based on velocity and reactivity diversity between REE and other active metal ions,” said Prof. HE.Image source: The VergeSource: https://www.miragenews.com/researchers-develop-electrokinetic-mining-897814/

BUMN Holding Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) continues to improve Indonesia's very potential mining management system. One of them is by realizing a sustainable natural resource supply chain.The business process initiated by MIND ID is also to increase the added value of commodities through sustainable schemes. The sustainable narrative carried by MIND ID is spelled out in the company's business strategy.As a Mining Industry Holding with its members, namely: PT Antam Tbk, PT Bukit Asam, Tbk. PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Inalum (Persero), PT Timah Tbk., MIND ID continues to improve and focus in accordance with the Government's mandate to become a world-class company.MIND ID's Director of Institutional Relations Dany Amrul Ichdan mentioned that there are three main business strategies of MIND ID. First, MIND ID exercises control over mining reserves. MIND ID continues to conduct various research and developments to maximize aggressive mining exploitation and production. This red plate company also continues to strive to increase competitiveness through the use of digital technology."The idea of Smart Mining carried by MIND ID is expected to be able to encourage mining optimization through the implementation of the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, as well as big data that can maximize mining sector activities," he said at the Special Ministerial Meeting in Bali, Thursday (11/17/2022).Second, MIND ID develops its downstream business. Efforts to maximize the scale of downstream assets by optimizing the company's internal performance. Hendi said that the development of project management standards in the company continues to be carried out in order to reap maximum results such as being able to accelerate high-quality projects."The purpose of the improvements made is none other than to develop downstream assets on a global scale," he said.In addition, MIND ID is also aggressively collaborating strategically with several companies to expand its business in the downstream sector.When upstream mining products are abundant, the company's next target is to anchor the downstream industrial sector.The third strategy is to become a global player. The target carried by MIND ID is to become a world-class player from the upstream to downstream sectors in the mining industry and its derivatives. The company continues to develop its capabilities and optimize its portfolio."The capacity building and optimization of the portfolio aims to build organization and culture in the company, develop technological capabilities through partnership schemes, optimize the portfolio through integrated concepts and restructure company management to make it more profitable," said Dany.MIND ID also implements sustainable practices such as through local community empowerment systems and others. This company also continues to innovate to explore new business potential through development in an extraordinary way.Image source: Aris KurniawanSource: https://ekbis.sindonews.com/read/944999/77/minesterial-meeting-ktt-g20-mind-id-siap-menjadi-pemain-dunia-pengelolaan-tambang-berkelanjutan-1668755510

Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Experts Association (Perhapi) Rizal Kasli welcomed the government's plan to stop new investments in the construction of the Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RKEF) pyrometallurgical plant.As is known, RKEF is a downstream line of processing high-grade nickel ore or saprolite to then produce stainless steel.Rizal said the current reserves of high-grade nickel ore are relatively limited with an effective age in the range of 10 years. According to him, investment in saprolite processing and refining plants or smelters to produce stainless steel raw materials is fairly intensive, thus lowering the currently available reserves."There are already quite a lot of smelters that produce raw materials forstainless steel. The need also remains stable forstainless steelbecause it is needed for construction, medical devices and other machinery," said Rizal when contacted, Sunday (20/11/2022).On the other hand, Rizal said, low-grade nickel ore is still not optimally cultivated. The reason is that investment in hydrometallurgical smelters to process limonite as raw material for electric vehicle batteries is still relatively limited.According to him, the moratorium policy will also divert investment in smelters with RKEF technology in low-grade nickel processing plants. Thus, the downstream development of electric vehicle batteries can be more aggressive in the future."Several companies are in the refinery construction stage to produce mixedhydroxide precipitate (MHP) which will later be used as raw material for electric vehicle batteries," he said.Previously, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) was preparing a policy of stopping or moratorium on new investments in the construction of the Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RKEF) pyrometallurgical plant which became the downstream line of processing high-grade nickel ore or saprolite to then produce stainless steel.The moratorium policy will also be followed by corrective factor (CF) adjustments for the benchmark mineral price (HPM) of high-grade nickel ore. The hope is that there will be a shift in raw material consumption for nickel processing plants in limonite.Special Staff to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Irwandy Arif said the manoeuvre was taken to increase new investment in hydrometallurgical plants that further process low-grade nickel ore or limonite into electric vehicle batteries to solar panels."Mr. Menko Luhut has spoken with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Minister of Industry so that the direction of stainless steel that consumes high levels of nickel should be limited," said Irwandy during an online discussion, Friday (11/18/2022).Irwandy said his ministry and the Ministry of Industry are discussing the downstream intensification of the low-grade nickel ore in line with plans to stop new investment in the upcoming stainless steel-producing RKEF technology-based plant.On the other hand, he said, the moratorium plan is still being matured after the initial meeting that has started since early 2021."At the beginning of last year, there was an internal meeting, yes, Rapim specifically for industry and mining, but it must be encouraged again to be more advanced," he said.Image source: Ahli Tambang Sebut Alasan Pemerintah Bahas Moratorium Investasi Smelter RKEF NikelSource: https://ekonomi.bisnis.com/read/20221121/44/1600186/ahli-tambang-sebut-alasan-pemerintah-bahas-moratorium-investasi-smelter-rkef-nikel

Metso Outotec has been awarded a repeat order to deliver sustainable tailings filtration technology for Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co Ltd’s new laterite nickel mine project in Indonesia. The order value, which is not disclosed, has been booked in Minerals fourth-quarter 2022 orders received.Metso Outotec’s scope of delivery consists of the engineering, manufacturing and supply of 15 Larox® FFP3512 filters, as well as installation and commissioning advisory services and spare parts. The fully automatic, fast-opening filter press (FFP) is part of Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive offering. The filter combines the benefits of membrane technology and sidebar design with high mechanical and process performance, providing safe and sustainable high-volume dewatering of tailings with low operating and life cycle costs.“As a core supplier of Huayou Cobalt, we are honoured to be selected again to provide efficient and sustainable tailings filtration technology. The signing of this order represents not only the continuation and deepening of our long-term cooperation, but also Huayou Cobalt’s trust in Metso Outotec technology and services. To date, we’ve received orders for 37 Larox® FFP3512 filters from Huayou,” says Xun Fang, General Manager, Minerals sales, Greater China at Metso Outotec.Huayou Cobalt is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the research, development and manufacturing of new energy lithium-ion battery and cobalt materials in China. Its nickel cobalt hydrometallurgy project in Indonesia is one of the largest and most advanced hydrometallurgy projects in the world. Metso Outotec has signed several cooperation agreements with Huayou Cobalt to provide comprehensive mineral processing solutions for its projects in Indonesia, including SAG mills, ball mills, as well as Larox® FFP3512 filters and thickening equipment of various specifications.Image source: Huayou CobaltSource: https://im-mining.com/2022/11/09/huayou-cobalt-awards-tailings-filtration-equipment-order-to-metso-outotec/

PT Bumi Resources Tbk (BUMI) won the Corporate Risk Manager of the Year category award at the Energy Risk Asia Awards 2022. This award is the second time BUMI has obtained it since 2021 and was announced in conjunction with the Energy Risk Asia Virtual Conference.Bumi won this award for the innovation and creativity of companies in the Asian region in overcoming the challenges they face in the field of risk management."The award, which has been obtained for two consecutive years, is a reflection of the strong international recognition of BUMI's achievements in managing risks to maintain business performance, achieve the Company's strategic goals and grow sustainably amidst the severe challenges of geopolitical uncertainty and also the severity of the world's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic," said BUMI President Director, Adika Nuraga Bakrie, saturday (11/19/2022).Adika added that BUMI's corporate risk management system and culture, which has been built since 2008, shows its role in helping the Company mitigate operational risks while managing business uncertainty that arises from world geopolitical conditions.The risk management function played a role since the beginning of the pandemic by formulating the Company's policies related to health protocols and COVID-19 mitigation procedures in BUMI and its subsidiaries.In 2022 BUMI will remain consistent in managing risks, including through improving the performance of Governance, Social and Environmental or ESG aspects, this is evidenced by the increasing ESG BUMI openness score assessed by Bloomberg and Refinitiv.This year BUMI continues to strengthen its ESG performance by focusing on social aspects, namely through the implementation of human rights due diligence in BUMI and its subsidiaries, namely PT Kaltim Prima Coal and PT Arutmin Indonesia.It is also part of BUMI's commitment to implementing the United Nations Guidelines for Business and Human Rights which stipulate that human rights due diligence is a mandatory process for companies to comprehensively respect human rights across their business activities.Image source: Detikcom/Dikhy SasraSource: https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20221120063328-17-389564/top-bumi-raih-penghargaan-corporate-risk-manager-of-the-year

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) seeks to optimize digitalization in the Grasberg mining operational area in Papua.Freeport Indonesia President Director Toni Wenas said PTFI strives to always be adaptive to technological developments. The mining sector is also considered to have not escaped digitalization. Moreover, this sector is said to have a high risk to the safety of its workers.The condition of PTFI's mine is quite complex because it is located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. The city of Tembagapura, which is close to PTFI's operational area, is also located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. PTFI also has a riverside port 100 kilometers from the sea coast."Rainfall in our mining area is the highest in the world," he said at the Indonesia Digital Conference, Tuesday (22/11).PTFI has begun to adopt mining digitalization since 2006 and has gradually passed through the Advanced Digital Technology program. One example of its implementation is the installation of chips on PTFI mining cars or trucks, which currently number more than 3,000 units.With the chip, supervisorsat PTFI can track the company's mining trucks, including anticipating when the trucks experience problems on the road.When PTFI began to focus on working on underground mining, digital technology was increasingly massively implemented by the company. Heavy equipment used for underground mining activities can all operate automatically. The operator of such heavy equipment carries out work from an office 10 km away from the mine area."The risk of underground mining is very large, so if mining activities can be carried outremotely, this is certainly very helpful for us," said Toni.Not only that, since 2021, PTFi has also adopted 5G mining technology in the Grasberg mining area through collaboration with Telkomsel. This 5G technology cooperation covers an operating area of 2loadersor ore transport devices in extraction tunnels 34 and 35 at the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) mine.In addition, 5G is also implemented by PTFI in public areas such as underground mining administration offices, tera shops, Tembagapura's main office building, and Kuala Kencana office buildings.Toni said that PTFI has poured investment in the range of US$ 20 million since 2006 for the implementation of digitalization in the company's mining area. This value does not include investment in mining digitalization support equipment. "This digital investment is long-term," he said.With the adoption of digital technology, PTFI can improve its mining efficiency and productivity. In addition, the work safety of PTFI employees is also more guaranteed with the implementation of digital technology.Image source: ILUSTRASISource: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/freeport-indonesia-optimalkan-teknologi-digital-di-tambang-grasberg

The World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement body or DSB viewed that Indonesia’s ban on the export and refining of nickel minerals had violated regulations. Responding to the verdict, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) said Indonesia will appeal the court verdict. "The government argues that the panel's decision does not yet have permanent legal force, so there is still an opportunity for appeal and there is no need to change regulations or even revoke policies before the disputed decision is adopted by the DSB," said ESDM Minister Arifin in a working meeting with members of House Commission VII on Monday, November 21.Arifin maintains that the government would keep the mineral (nickel) downstream policy by accelerating the construction of smelters. The regulations highlighted in the WTO trial include Law No.4/2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No.11/2019 the second amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 25/2018 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining.In the final ruling, it is stated that the export policy and the obligation to process and refine nickel minerals in Indonesia violate the provisions of the WTO Article XI.1 GATT 1994. This policy cannot be justified by Article XI.2(a) and XX(d) GATT 1994.The Panel also rejected the defense submitted by the Government of Indonesia regarding the limited amount of national nickel reserves and good mining practices. The final decision will be distributed to other WTO members on November 30 before it will be included in the DSB agenda on December 20.Image source: TEMPO/M Taufan RengganisSource: https://en.tempo.co/read/1659618/indonesia-to-lodge-appeal-after-losing-wto-dispute-on-nickel-export-ban

Indonesian gold miner Indo Muro Kencana (IMK) has experienced exciting productivity improvements since connecting the country’s largest ever fleet of machines to Volvo ActiveCare in late 2021 ­– the remote monitoring and proactive maintenance service from Volvo Construction Equipment.VolvoCE IndonesiasIMK’s 52 articulated haulers and seven crawler excavators are fitted with sensors that convey real-time information relating to their production, fuel consumption, health, and even operator skill to a portal in the cloud. Some data points, such as location, speed and load, are also communicated from machine to machine to help the operators complete work safely and efficiently.The dashboards and reports then enable the plant and site manager to identify areas for productivity and efficiency improvements, implement adjustments, and set new targets for further progress. This could involve tweaking the number and capacity of machines on site to reduce idling time, finding more direct driving routes, or introducing training for certain operators.Nine months on, the data has helped IMK increase productivity across its three sites by approximately a third, noted Volvo, while reducing fuel consumption for the benefit of the environment and the company’s bottom line.Another major benefit has been the positive impact on the convenience, effectiveness, and cost of managing machine servicing and repairs. With ActiveCare, an artificial intelligence tool monitors all error codes and alarms transmitted from the machines to the cloud. The algorithm sorts through the data, prioritizing the alerts according to urgency and severity, and attributing probable causes.“Now [that] IMK has seen the benefits, we hope that other companies across Southeast Asia will join them in connecting their construction equipment in the fourth industrial revolution,” said the OEM.Image source: Volvo Construction EquipmentSource: https://www.asiaminer.com/news/latest-news/11194-volvo-pushes-automation-in-indonesia.html#.Y3SiZMdByMp

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) attended the Conference of the Parties (COP)-27 held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This is a form of support to the Indonesian government in achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target.The Indonesian government's greenhouse gas emission reduction target is 31.89 percent with its own efforts and 43 percent with international assistance. This has been stated in the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (ENDC).President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia Tony Wenas said that this full support was given because his party was aware of the impacts of climate change that needed attention and made joint efforts to be able to achieve the GHG targets set by the Government."So we recognize that the impacts of climate change are something that is very worrying and needs to be of concern to us together. We need to make joint efforts to overcome this problem," Tony told CNNIndonesia.com, Tuesday (8/11).Tony said, PT Freeport Indonesia is one of the companies participating in reducing emissions. The company aims to reduce carbon by 30 percent by 2030.In order to achieve this target, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is transforming technology in its mining operations. Currently PTFI's underground mining operations use electric trains to transport mine ore, and no longer use trucks with fossil energy."So there are no more large truck operations that use fossil energy and we are transporting the underground mine operation using electric-engined unmanned trains," Tony said.This shift also has a positive impact on the company's productivity level, where in the Deep Mile Level Zone (DMLZ) underground mine that uses trucks can transport mining products on average 2 80 thousand tons of ore a day, using electric trains at the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) underground mine can reach an average of 110 thousand tons a day."This is of course very significant in reducing carbon emissions. And the electric train could transport 110 thousand tons of ore every day. And if it's transported by truck, it will require a lot of fossil fuels," Tony said.In addition, it also carried out transformations in the drying plant. Previously, PT Freeport Indonesia used fossil fuels to dry. Currently, it uses an electric-powered Vertical Plate Pressure Air Blow (VPA) that is more environmentally friendly."It also results in a very significant reduction in carbon," he said.According to Tony, the reduction in carbon emissions carried out by his party has now reached 22 percent. To reach 30 percent by 2030 a number of steps and breakthroughs are being carried out by PT Freeport Indonesia."We are making other efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030," Tony said.With this step, Tony is optimistic that the target of reducing carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030 will be achieved."And even now we're doing studies to be able to increase carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030 to 60 percent after 2030," Tony said closing the conversation.Image source: Arsip Freeport IndonesiaSource: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20221112153831-90-872871/langkah-freeport-dukung-pemerintah-capai-target-ndc

PT Bayan Resource Tbk (BYAN) continues to be committed to restoring the environmental conditions offlora and fauna habitats as much as possible after mining activities are completed. President Director of PT Bayan Resources, Dato' Low Tuck Kwongsaid biodiversity conservation is part of efforts to preserve nature, from the pre-mining stage of mining to post-mining.Bayan Group'scommitment to environmental conservation and nature conservation is shown by the implementation of rehabilitation in watersheds (DAS) independently and with local contractors, as well as involving communities around the planting site area."The area of rehabilitation area for the Bayan Group Watershed in East Kalimantan Province and South Kalimantan Province until the end of 2021 reached 6,181 ha," he told CNBC Indonesia, quoted onFriday (11/11/2022).According to him, Bayan Group has carried out reclamation on ex-mining land cumulatively amounting to 7,218 ha until the end of 2021.Separately, Bayan's Director and Chief Operational Officer, Lim Chai Hock also did not deny that there was an impact from the mining industry's operations. Therefore, mining companies are required to prepare various efforts to minimize these impacts.This is in line with the urgency of the mineral and coal mining sector in Indonesia to meet global requirements in the form of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in order to carry out a sustainable business.Lim pointed out that for ex-mining land, mining companies can make the land productive again. For example, land with forest status needs to be restored to its original status."First, our company performs according to our obligations, reclamation, etc. Furthermore, what we can participate from the community is how to conserve nature, flora and fauna," said Lim.Meanwhile, in implementing green mining on former mining land, Bayan Group together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources have conducted an evaluation to adjust conditions in their respective areas for use.According to him, the determination of the use of ex-mining land needs to be carried out a joint assessment, based on social mapping. That way, the land can be optimally useful for the community.Image source: Dato’ Low Tuck Kwong, dok Maris Stella High School Alumni NetworkSource: https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market/20221111125939-17-387058/byan-telah-reklamasi-7218-ha-lahan-bekas-tambang-hingga-2021