The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that it will consider the global nickel metal oversupply at the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) when setting the nickel ore production quota for the 2027 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB).
Tri Winarno, Director General of Mineral and Coal at the ESDM, said that the nickel ore production quota in the 2027 RKAB will be lower than the revised quota of 290-300 million metric tons for 2026. The reason is that some nickel processing and refining plants (smelters) will cut production by the end of this year, and there is a global oversupply of nickel metal. Nevertheless, he could not yet disclose the specific amount of the 2027 RKAB nickel ore production quota.
Tri reiterated that the nickel ore production quota in the 2027 RKAB will emphasize the stability of the global market and the ore demand of domestic smelters. Taking this opportunity, Tri revealed that the revised nickel ore production quota in the 2026 RKAB reached 290-300 million metric tons, higher than the quota of about 260-270 million metric tons at the beginning of the year. Tri also confirmed that all revised RKABs have been issued.
"The total amount [of the revised RKAB nickel production quota] is around 290-300 million [metric tons]," Tri said.
