On June 9, 2025, Ju Anran, Senior Manager of SMM's Aluminum Division, and Liu Xinyi, Analyst of SMM's Aluminum Division, led a delegation on a field trip to visit Indonesia Chemical Alumina (ICA), a bauxite mine and chemical-grade alumina refinery owned by PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) in Indonesia.
PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, established in 1968 and headquartered in Jakarta, is wholly owned by the state-owned holding company PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero). The company's main businesses include the mining and sales of mineral resources such as nickel, gold, and bauxite. In 2024, Antam achieved a bauxite production of 1.1 million wmt and a chemical-grade alumina production of 180,000 mt, providing a solid resource guarantee for Indonesia's domestic industry chain.
To promote deep processing of ores, Antam, in collaboration with Inalum, invested US$941 million to build a smelting-grade alumina refinery with an annual capacity of 1 million mt in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. The project officially commenced operations in September 2024. Antam is responsible for supplying high-quality ore raw materials, achieving a seamless connection from the mine to the alumina refinery.
During the field trip, the two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on important topics such as the potential for increasing current production capacity, future expansion plans, cost structures at various stages, and the application prospects of renewable power and self-generated power supply. The Antam and ICA teams provided detailed introductions to the mining processes and environmental protection measures at the bauxite base and led the delegation on a site visit to the alumina production workshop, energy-efficient roasting furnaces, and the river port facilities adjacent to the factory.
The two sides explored ideas for cooperation in areas such as technological optimisation, supply chain coordination, and market development. This visit not only deepened mutual understanding but also laid a solid foundation for future technological exchanges, resource sharing, and market cooperation. It is expected that in the next phase of in-depth cooperation, the two sides will work hand in hand to jointly promote the sustainable development of Indonesia's aluminium industry.
Image Source: Indonesia Chemical Alumina (ICA)
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