Switzerland explores Indonesian bauxite and critical minerals for domestic manufacturing

Switzerland is seeking critical minerals from Indonesia to support domestic manufacturing, including producers of medical devices such as artificial joints, according to Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia Konstantin Obolensky.

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, Obolensky said Swiss manufacturers were seeking to diversify their mineral supply sources and viewed Indonesia as a potential supplier of materials required by local industries.

He said, “There are critical minerals and other materials that Indonesia produces which are important for the Swiss industry.”  

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Indonesia has significant reserves of several minerals used in industrial manufacturing. According to the US Geological Survey, the country holds approximately 2.9 billion metric dry tonnes of bauxite reserves, while domestic alumina production reached 1.5 million metric dry tonnes last year. Indonesia also has 760,000 tonnes of cobalt reserves and produced 44,000 tonnes of cobalt last year.

Nickel is another important resource, with Indonesia holding the world's largest reserves at approximately 62 million tonnes. Nickel-based stainless steel is used in some knee prostheses.

Obolensky said Switzerland wanted to strengthen the use of the agreement and was discussing mineral cooperation with the Indonesian government and other stakeholders.

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He also called for greater use of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The agreement, which took effect in November 2021, provides for tariff reductions on goods traded between the two sides.

Swiss officials have also been engaging with the Indonesian government and various stakeholders on mineral cooperation, Obolensky said, when asked about discussions with sovereign wealth fund Danantara. 

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Danantara oversees Indonesia's state assets, including mining holding company MIND ID, and has been seeking foreign investment partnerships.

The two countries have also signed a memorandum of understanding on minerals and metals cooperation, covering investment promotion, technology transfer and sustainable supply chains. During the first nine months of 2026, Indonesia recorded USD 188 million in Swiss investment.