According to Mysteel's survey confirmation, PT Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), one of Indonesia's largest nickel ore suppliers, has been granted an additional RKAB quota of approximately 25 million wet metric tonnes of nickel ore for the second half of 2026. Combined with the quota already approved in the first half, WBN's total RKAB nickel ore quota for 2026 has now increased to approximately 37 million wet metric tonnes.
It is understood that of this additional 25 million tonnes quota, approximately 15 million tonnes falls under a new energy-specific quota, earmarked to secure limonite ore supply for HPAL projects, with the remaining approximately 10 million tonnes allocated for conventional saprolite ore. Previously, WBN's initial quota for the first half was only 12 million tonnes, and the mine was placed under care and maintenance in May after exhausting its quota.
Currently, no official documentation regarding the quota approval has been issued to WBN. Following this addition, WBN's annual quota has rebounded to 37 million tonnes though still below the post-addition level of 42 million tonnes in 2025, this represents a significant improvement from the initial 12 million tonnes at the start of the year. Further developments regarding approvals for other mining companies also warrant continued attention.
