Indonesia Targets 295.4 Million WMT of Nickel Production in 2025
Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesia is projected to produce approximately 295.4 million wet metric tons (wmt) of nickel in 2025, based on the approved Work Plan and Budget (RKAB), according to data presented by the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI) during a recent hearing with legislative body of the House of Representatives.
This forecast reflects an increase from the production target of 271.8 million wmt for 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of approximately 9.8%.
APNI reported that Indonesia currently operates 95 smelting plants, comprising 85 pyrometallurgy plants and 10 hydrometallurgy plants. Pyrometallurgy plants, which process 390.3 million wmt of ore annually, dominate the sector with 133 production lines and another 49 lines under construction. These plants are primarily used to produce ferronickel and nickel pig iron (NPI).
In contrast, hydrometallurgy plants process 119.2 million wmt of ore with 6 production lines operational and 9 lines under construction. This method is more commonly associated with producing high-grade nickel used in batteries for electric vehicles.
The increased smelting capacity is aligned with Indonesia’s downstream industrialization policy, which aims to maximize value-added production and support global energy transitions.
Southeast Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi remain the epicenters of nickel processing activity, as these regions house the majority of the country’s smelters and mining licenses.
