Indonesia’s nickel miners association said the government will selectively approve additional 2026 nickel ore production quotas only for smelters with low raw-material inventories, as markets await clarity on this year’s quota adjustments. The association expects overall 2026 quotas to be held at about 260–270 mln tonnes versus 379 mln tonnes in 2025. Domestic nickel ore consumption from Jan–Jul reached 142.96 mln tonnes, roughly 53–55% of the annual quota. The group recommended permitting an ex

Indonesia’s nickel miners association said the government will selectively approve additional 2026 nickel ore production quotas only for smelters with low raw-material inventories, as markets await clarity on this year’s quota adjustments. The association expects overall 2026 quotas to be held at about 260–270 mln tonnes versus 379 mln tonnes in 2025. Domestic nickel ore consumption from Jan–Jul reached 142.96 mln tonnes, roughly 53–55% of the annual quota. The group recommended permitting an extra 30 mln tonnes this year as a strategic buffer to lift supply toward ~300 mln tonnes and meet smelter capacity expected to start in 2026; Indonesia’s ~80 smelters would consume about 315 mln tonnes a year at full load. The association urged greater transparency in quota-setting, warning that opaque revisions prompt market overreactions — citing early-August LME price volatility. The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry did not immediately specify volumes, reiterating policy aims to safeguard resource sustainability and support prices.