Indonesia and South Korea Join Forces on Mine Waste Recycling Project to Produce Critical Minerals
Thu 29 Oct 2026, 16:23 PM
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The Indonesian and South Korean governments are working together to finalize a Record of Discussion (ROD) for a mining waste recycling project by the end of 2026. The strategic initiative aims to recover critical minerals from mining waste.
Yan Abrar, Coordinator of Mineral and Coal Cooperation and Investment at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' Directorate General of Mineral and Coal, said finalizing the ROD is a current priority. The document will pave the way for detailed technical preparations and project implementation planning.
"We are currently working to finalize the Record of Discussion, with the goal of completing the process by the end of 2026. Once the ROD is finalized, both parties can proceed with detailed preparations for project activities," Yan said at the Indonesia-Korea Energy Forum (IKEF) held at The Meru Sanur in Denpasar, Bali, as quoted on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The recycling project follows the signing of an implementing agreement between Indonesia's Directorate General of Mineral and Coal and the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR) on September 28, 2026.
The agreement focuses on developing a recycling system to recover critical minerals from mining waste generated in Indonesia.
"This was followed by the signing of an implementing agreement between the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal and KOMIR on September 28. The agreement focuses on developing a critical mineral recycling system using mining waste in Indonesia," he explained.
The initiative is expected to benefit both countries. For Indonesia, it supports more efficient utilization of secondary resources and improved environmental management. South Korea, meanwhile, will contribute processing technologies, equipment, technical expertise, and experience in circular economy practices.
"This initiative is highly relevant to both countries. For Indonesia, it can support better utilization of secondary resources, improve environmental management, and introduce appropriate processing technologies. For Korea, it provides an opportunity to contribute technology, technical expertise, equipment, and circular economy experience," Yan added.
The Indonesian government hopes the project will serve as a practical and replicable model for future bilateral cooperation, combining mineral recovery, environmental improvements, technology deployment, and institutional capacity building.
"We hope this project can become a practical and replicable model of Indonesia-Korea cooperation, integrating mineral recovery, environmental improvement, technology application, and institutional capacity building," he said.
Meanwhile, Eul Roh, International Cooperation Team Manager at KOMIR's Critical Minerals Department, highlighted Indonesia's significant role in the global nickel supply chain. According to Roh, Indonesia accounts for approximately 43% of global refined nickel production and 67% of global mined nickel production, making it a key contributor to the industry's supply chain.
South Korea, on the other hand, is one of the world's major producers of batteries and battery-powered vehicles. However, the country remains heavily dependent on imports for nearly all the metallic minerals required by these industries.
"The Korean government is preparing a plan to expand its critical minerals list to 10 categories. Nickel is among the highest-priority minerals, alongside lithium and cobalt," Roh said at the forum.
He added that South Korea also plans to expand its strategic mineral stockpiles to cover 29 types of minerals, with reserves equivalent to up to 355 days of supply for materials considered most vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Roh also acknowledged Indonesia's policy direction, emphasizing that cooperation between the two countries should extend beyond purchasing mineral ores. Instead, the partnership should focus on jointly developing processing capabilities and generating greater added value within Indonesia.
"The goal is to build a stronger industrial partnership that delivers benefits to both countries," he concluded.
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