Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Encourages

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Encourages PT Timah to Become a Pioneer in Rare Earth Development in Indonesia

PANGKALPINANG -- Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek), Prof. Brian Yuliarto, Ph.D, carried out a working visit to PT Timah Tbk to observe by-products or rare earth elements at PT Timah in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, on Wednesday (September 17, 2025).

During the visit, he was accompanied by PT Pindad President Director Sigit P. Santoso, who joined him in visiting the RE(OH) pilot plant in Tanjung Ular and the Processing and Refinery Division of PT Timah Tbk in Mentok, West Bangka. The agenda also included observing the Terak II stockpile and the Amang Plant, which is dedicated to the processing of tin by-products.

Prof. Brian, accompanied by PT Timah President Director Restu Widiyantoro and PT Timah's Business Development Director Suhendra Yusuf Ratuprawiranegara, observed firsthand the process of separating tin by-products carried out at the Amang Plant and RE(OH) Tanjung Ular.

He expressed his appreciation for PT Timah Tbk's efforts in developing rare earth metals, which are highly sought after worldwide.

"Indonesia has an extraordinary wealth of minerals, one of which is rare earth elements. This is a tremendous blessing of great value. It represents not only economic wealth but also sovereignty," he said.

Currently, rare earth elements are in high global demand due to their critical role in various industries.

"The President has directed us to utilize these minerals. PT Timah carries an important mandate and a great honor to initiate the extraction and utilization of rare earth elements in Indonesia. This is a tremendous breakthrough," he added.

He further explained that Indonesia is preparing itself to manage rare earth elements, which are expected to become a major leap in the nation's technological development.

"Thank you to PT Timah, which has been calculating these reserves since 2016 in Tanjung Ular and has continued preparing so that rare earth elements can become the wealth of our nation and be used for the greatest benefit of society," he said.

"In the near future, we will work hard to process rare earth elements, with the hope that this will be a major leap for our nation to show the world that we can master purification and separation technologies up to downstream products, thereby creating tremendous added value," he continued.

Looking ahead, he emphasized that his ministry will support PT Timah Tbk in managing rare earth elements for the benefit of the nation.

"PT Timah will become a pioneer in mastering rare earth technology and downstream development. This will provide a significant contribution to improving our people's welfare. We will carry out trials, measurements, and separation processes to advance the nation. This is a huge opportunity and one of Indonesia's breakthroughs. Let us all give our best effort to develop technology and establish rare earth downstream industries, as we have already laid the foundation to grow this sector," he stated.

On this occasion, PT Timah Tbk's Business Development Director, Suhendra Yusuf Ratuprawiranegara, conveyed that PT Timah has been conducting exploration and processing of rare earth metals.

Suhendra explained that PT Timah has implemented the triple helix collaboration model in its research, involving the government, universities, and industry.

He also noted that PT Timah has established cooperation with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to design an integrated collaboration framework covering tin by-product exploration research, rare earth processing, and the utilization of tin slag.

"We are working to ensure that everything we do is based on research and knowledge. Therefore, we ask for the support of all stakeholders to help process these by-products," he said.

He added that PT Timah expects support in ensuring the sustainability of mineral raw material supply through regulatory policies, strategic partnerships, and access to expert networks, testing laboratories, and integrated research and development facilities. These measures will accelerate technology mastery and facilitate partnerships with industrial technology providers to support technology transfer and industrialization. (\*)

Would you like me to make this into a **press release format in English** (shorter, more structured, and media-friendly) or keep it as a **full straight news article translation** like above?