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Indonesia focuses on rare earth industry development

The Indonesian government is making a plan for the development of the rare earth industry that is applied in a wide range of sectors, including for energy and transportation needs.
The Indonesian government is making a plan for the development of therare earth industry that is applied in a wide range of sectors,including for energy and transportation needs.

Harjanto from theIndustry Ministry said the ministry will establish a consortiumcomprising research agencies, such as the Agency for the Assessment andApplication of Technology Agency (BPPT), the National Nuclear Energy(Batan) and universities, to seek out ways to add value to the nation’smineral resources.

A pilot project is being run by state-owned tin producer PT Timah and Batan in Bangka Belitung province.

Accordingto Harjanto, as many as 17 minerals are categorised as rare earthelements, which have a wide variety of applications, including inautomobiles and consumer electronics.-VNA
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