The Geological Agency of Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has revealed promising lithium prospects at Bledug Kuwu, Grobogan, Central Java, leading to a partnership with the French company, PT Eramet Indonesia Mining, aimed at exploring and tapping into lithium resources across the nation.
Muhammad Wafid, Head of the Geological Agency at ESDM ministry, revealed that initial investigations indicate that the brine water at Bledug Kuwu, which produces dried salt, may also contain significant lithium concentrations.
“When dried, the salt from the brine shows a higher lithium parts-per-million (ppm) concentration,” Wafid said on Friday, November 8, 2024.
Lithium is considered a critical mineral for electric vehicle (EV) battery production, and the collaboration with Eramet focuses on identifying the most effective extraction technology for the area. The partnership will extend beyond exploration to include various advanced geophysical and geochemical techniques.
The lithium exploration at Bledug Kuwu builds on earlier studies initiated in 2023, aimed at assessing the feasibility of lithium extraction from brine deposits.
Agung Pribadi, Head of the Center for Mineral, Coal and Geothermal Resources (PSDMBP), cited that both geophysical and geochemical methods would be applied.
PSDMBP’s exploration will involve techniques like gravity, ground magnetic, and magnetotelluric surveys, while Eramet will employ geoelectric, self-potential, and passive seismic methods.
In addition, brine water samples will be collected and analyzed in specialized laboratories to assess lithium content and extraction viability.
A delegation from Indonesia’s Geological Agency and PSDMBP is scheduled to visit Eramet’s R&D facilities in Paris in early December 2024 as part of the partnership, with hopes that this cooperation could unlock valuable lithium resources to fuel Indonesia’s EV battery ambitions.
