Denpasar, TAMBANG – ASEAN member states are ready to bolster cooperation in the mining sector to support sustainable economic growth. This commitment was evident from the discussions among delegates at the ASEAN Mining Conference (AMC) 2024.
“The ASEAN Mining Conference must continue to leverage the symbiotic relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), industrial development, and regional integration,” said Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Yuliot, in his remarks at The Meru Sanur, Denpasar, on Monday (November 18).
To maintain the momentum of achieved FDIs, ASEAN, Yuliot stated, needs to strengthen regional collaboration, develop human resources and skills for emerging industries, and attract technology-focused investments to advance the industrial ecosystem from upstream to downstream.
“To sustain the achieved FDI momentum, ASEAN must further enhance regional cooperation, develop human resources and skills for growing industries, attract technology-oriented investments, foster industrial advancement, and strengthen public-private partnerships in industrial ecosystem development,” Yuliot emphasized.
“I hope the ASEAN Mining Conference 2024 will bring significant benefits and prosperity for the sustainable development of the mining industry in our region,” he added.
ASEAN Mining Conference 2024: Perkuat Keberlanjutan dan Kolaborasi Regional Sektor Pertambangan
Echoing this sentiment, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, Satvinder Singh, stated that AMC reflects a strong commitment to unity and the progress of collaboration as ASEAN countries address critical issues related to sustainable development and transformations impacting the mining industry.
“Our meeting this week truly demonstrates a steadfast commitment to unity and collaborative growth as we advance critical issues concerning sustainable development and transformations affecting our industry,” he remarked.
Satvinder Singh projected that by 2030, ASEAN will become the fourth-largest economic bloc globally. This would establish ASEAN as a globally relevant economic powerhouse driven by sustainable mining industries.
“Equally important is the commitment of our entire mining community to position ASEAN as an attractive investment destination, especially for sustainable mineral commodities,” he added.
Sustainable mining is a practice that prioritizes the prudent management of natural resources while considering environmental, social, and economic aspects. Its goal is to minimize negative impacts on the environment and society while ensuring efficient and responsible resource utilization for the benefit of current and future generations.
Chairman of the Indonesia Mining Association (IMA), Rachmat Makkasau, highlighted ASEAN’s strategic role in the global mining industry. According to him, nearly 50% of the world’s tin, as well as significant proportions of nickel and copper, come from ASEAN.
“I believe 50% of the world’s tin comes from ASEAN. As for nickel, about half of its global production originates from ASEAN. Regarding copper production, I think currently, it accounts for around 3-4% of global output,” he said.
“But what will happen in the next five years, when copper demand is high, and production is low? I think ASEAN will play a major role in copper production,” Rachmat explained.
The ASEAN Mining Conference 2024 is organized in collaboration between IMA, TAMBANG Magazine, and the Indonesian Mining Services Association (ASPINDO), with the support of the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). The event takes place at The Meru Sanur, Denpasar, from November 17 to 20, 2024.
AMC 2024 is also part of the festivities marking The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Minerals (ASOMM), attended by government officials from ASEAN member states specializing in energy and mining.
