Indonesia Reduces Nickel Mining Permits to Boost Value-Added Production
Indonesia, the world's largest nickel producer, has significantly reduced its nickel mining permits by about a third in 2026. This move is part of a strategic shift from exporting raw nickel ore to producing higher-value downstream products, such as battery-grade materials. The government has stopped approving new licenses for basic processing plants and is now prioritizing companies that invest in advanced processing. This includes refining nickel into materials used in electric vehicle batteries. The changes also involve a new pricing formula for nickel ore, which now includes other valuable metals like cobalt and iron, ensuring miners receive higher payments. This strategy aims to address the oversupply of basic nickel products and increase the value of nickel exports. 
