According to reports, the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association said on Thursday that the Indonesian government will selectively approve additional nickel ore production quotas only for smelters with low raw material stocks. Currently, the market is awaiting clear information on this year's quota adjustment plan. The association stated in a statement that the overall nickel ore production quota will remain at around 260 million to 270 million tons, compared to 379 million tons in 2025. From January to July this year, domestic nickel ore consumption reached 1429.6 million tons, accounting for about 53% to 55% of the annual quota. The Indonesian government sets annual production quotas for all minerals. The association proposed that miners should be allowed to produce an additional 30 million tons of nickel ore this year as a strategic buffer, bringing the total volume to about 300 million tons. This increase in production is to meet the demand for additional smelting capacity, which is expected to be put into operation in 2026. There are currently about 80 nickel smelters in Indonesia. If they all operate at full capacity, the annual ore consumption is about 315 million tons. The association also called on the government to be more transparent in setting production quotas. The Association's Secretary General said, “Without a transparent and rules-based revision framework, the global market will continue to overreact to rumors or decisions about individual companies' quotas. Price fluctuations on the London Metal Exchange in early August have fully confirmed this.” Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources did not immediately respond to the increase in production volume, but reiterated that the government aims to guarantee the sustainability of the country's resources and support prices.

According to reports, the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association said on Thursday that the Indonesian government will selectively approve additional nickel ore production quotas only for smelters with low raw material stocks. Currently, the market is awaiting clear information on this year's quota adjustment plan. The association stated in a statement that the overall nickel ore production quota will remain at around 260 million to 270 million tons, compared to 379 million tons in 2025. From January to July this year, domestic nickel ore consumption reached 1429.6 million tons, accounting for about 53% to 55% of the annual quota. The Indonesian government sets annual production quotas for all minerals. The association proposed that miners should be allowed to produce an additional 30 million tons of nickel ore this year as a strategic buffer, bringing the total volume to about 300 million tons. This increase in production is to meet the demand for additional smelting capacity, which is expected to be put into operation in 2026. There are currently about 80 nickel smelters in Indonesia. If they all operate at full capacity, the annual ore consumption is about 315 million tons. The association also called on the government to be more transparent in setting production quotas. The Association's Secretary General said, “Without a transparent and rules-based revision framework, the global market will continue to overreact to rumors or decisions about individual companies' quotas. Price fluctuations on the London Metal Exchange in early August have fully confirmed this.” Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources did not immediately respond to the increase in production volume, but reiterated that the government aims to guarantee the sustainability of the country's resources and support prices.