Indonesia’s state-owned mining holding company, MIND ID, has announced that the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) project, a key part of MIND ID’s strategy operated by PT Bauxite Alumina Indonesia, is slated to begin operation in September 2024.
The project is a key component in MIND ID’s strategy to develop infrastructure and enhance the value of mineral commodities in Indonesia.
Director for Business Development at PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), Melati Sarnita, revealed that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been invited to the Mempawah project site in West Kalimantan for the commissioning phase.
“We want to start the bauxite injection process according to plan. President Jokowi has expressed his enthusiasm and support for this initiative,” Melati said on Friday, August 9, 2024.
The Mempawah Project, as the SGAR project is known, is the result of a consortium between PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) and Inalum.
“MIND ID is committed to ensuring that this strategic project is executed in line with the established standards and timelines,” Melati said.
She also noted that there is room for further optimization and acceleration of the project’s development.
President Jokowi had previously visited the SGAR Mempawah site in March 2024 and is expected to visit again in September when the project is anticipated to reach 97 percent completion.
The Smelter Grade Alumina project is scheduled to reach its Commercial Operation Date (COD) by February 2025, with bauxite processing to commence in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce one million tons of alumina annually, utilizing an estimated 3.3 million tons of bauxite per year.
The project is being developed in two phases, with a total investment value of US$1.7 billion (Rp27 trillion), reflecting MIND ID’s commitment to advancing Indonesia’s mining and mineral processing capabilities.
