The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has confirmed that it has started approving the 2026 Mining Work Plans and Budgets (RKAB).
In addition to the RKAB for PT Vale Indonesia Tbk. (INCO), the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has also disclosed several mining RKABs belonging to PT Aneka Tambang Tbk. (ANTAM), or Antam.
Director General of Minerals and Coal at ESDM, Tri Winarno, acknowledged that the ministry has approved the 2026 RKAB for several ANTAM's mines.
On the other hand, he also stated that approval documents for the 2026 RKAB have been issued for several other companies. However, Tri again declined to disclose exactly how many RKAB documents have been approved by the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal.
Previously, the President Director of Vale Indonesia, Bernardus Irmanto, requested support from Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives to increase nickel ore production quotas, despite the company already having received RKAB approval from the mineral and coal authorities.
Tri stated that Vale may submit a revised 2026 RKAB. He mentioned that applications for revised RKABs can be submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources between April and July 2026.
Additionally, Tri had previously acknowledged that he had not yet approved the 2026 RKAB plans, in line with discussions this year about reducing production of several mineral commodities to support prices.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
