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Govt instructs MIND ID to explore for lithium in Australia
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MIND ID president director Orias Petrus Moedak speaks during the company's three-year anniversary celebration in this undated picture. (Courtesy of MIND ID)
T
he Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) has instructed state-owned mining holding firm MIND ID to explore for lithium reserves in Australia’s Northern Territory.
Tri Winarno, the ministry’s coal and mineral mining director general, said the Indonesian government had signed an electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem development contract with the Northern Territory government in mid-November.
“The [exploration] point is in the Northern Territory, where there is only one lithium mine. It offered a partnership to Indonesia because it views Indonesia’s EV share in the future as a benefit,” Tri said on Tuesday, as quoted by Kumparan.
Beijing and Jakarta have recently agreed to strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including lithium, new energy vehicles, green energy and tourism, according to a joint statement released on Nov. 9.
The statement followed a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was visiting China through Nov. 10 as his first foreign destination since taking office.
Read also: China, Indonesia enhance ties with key deals on lithium, green energy, tourism
MIND ID’s Tri explained that the partnership would begin with the exploration stage, which was a high-risk activity and had to be compliant with regulations given that the territory was home to 30 percent of Australia’s Aboriginal peoples.
