Nickel
Nickel is a critical ingredient in stainless steel and batteries for electric cars.
Indonesia has large nickel reserves, making it a significant player in the global nickel market. The government has implemented policies to get the most out of its nickel resources and banned raw nickel exports to encourage local processing. This has led to more investment in smelters and the growth of the local battery production industry.
However, Indonesia also faces environmental and social challenges. Nickel mining often causes deforestation and conflicts with local communities over land rights. In response, the government has started enforcing stricter environmental standards and is working to ensure local communities benefit directly from mining activities.