Dr. Ir. Agus Purwadi, MT. Cemas Industri Baterai Mobil Listrik Mirip Freeport
Electrical Power Engineering Researcher at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), also a lecturer at STEI ITB, Agus Purwadi, expressing concerns about the development of a centralized battery industry In Central Halmahera, Maluku, Agus urged the Weda Bay Nickel industrial area not to experience a similar situation to Freeport's natural resource management.
Freeport has a mine in Timika, Papua. Agus touched on the processing method Freeport uses for its mining products, which is largely not done domestically.
The Freeport case is said to be likely to recur in Halmahera if the government is not serious about overseeing the battery industrial area.
Groundbreaking Weda Bay Nickel was launched at the end of August 2018. This industrial area project is being worked on by PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP).
IWIP is the result of a joint venture between three Chinese investors: Tsingshan, Huayou, and Zhensi. The company also represents the realization of an agreement between Eramet Group (France), Tsingshan, and ANTAM (Indonesia's largest oil and gas company) signed earlier this year.
The investment value at Weda Bay Nickel reaches US$10 billion (approximately Rp144 trillion). The first phase of development is US$5 billion, followed by another US$5 billion for subsequent phases.
IWIP will process nickel ore deposits. An on-site smelter will then process the mineral resources into final products, including batteries. lithium-ion for electric vehicles. Agus explained the importance of government oversight of the Chinese side, which is leading IWIP. He emphasized that the government must ensure that the industrial park develops vehicle batteries domestically.
He said that Indonesia should not end up just being a consumer.
"That's what we need to push, don't be like Freeport. (Raw materials) are shipped abroad, and then when they're finished, we buy them. The source is here, and our environment is already damaged," Agus said when met on the sidelines of the Electric Vehicle Discussion Forum held detikcom And CNNIndonesia.com in Jakarta, Thursday (4/10).
"That's why we have to ensure that we don't export the raw materials, but rather that they are manufactured here first. So, don't just take the raw materials, send them to China, and then use the finished products. China knows that all electric batteries are nickel and cobalt-based. Those are raw materials from Indonesia, and that's why they control them first," he said.
China Kuasai Bahan Baku
Many countries, including Indonesia, are currently exploring the era of electric vehicles. As this era unfolds, dependence on fossil fuels will gradually decrease as they are replaced by battery-powered alternatives.
According to Agus, China has moved quickly to dominate the battery industry. Previously, China was said to have already "acquired" the Latin American region to gain access. lithiumNow it's Indonesia's turn to get nickel and cobalt.
According to Agus, China had a long-term perspective because it had already anticipated that the global automotive industry would shift to electric vehicles.
“China thinks long term. In Latin America, it has already mastered it. lithiumSo China controls the basic materials for electric vehicles. This is something we must be wary of, such as magnets and batteries. China has... research "What an extraordinary institute," he said. (ryh/fea via cnn)