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cover of episode How Indonesia cornered the nickel market

How Indonesia cornered the nickel market

2025/6/11
logo of podcast Behind the Money

Behind the Money

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A
Anantha Lakshmi
C
Camilla Hodgson
C
Camilla Hodson
M
Michaela Tindera
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Camilla Hodgson: 印度尼西亚的镍产业经历了显著的转型。巴哈多皮地区从一片人口稀少的雨林发展成为全球镍生产的中心。十年前,印尼在全球精炼镍供应中仅占6%,但现在已跃升至61%。这种增长得益于镍在电子产品和电动汽车电池中的广泛应用,导致全球对镍的需求激增。然而,这种快速增长也导致了全球镍市场供应过剩,压低了价格,迫使其他国家的矿业公司关闭。尽管面临这些问题,世界似乎仍然不得不依赖印度尼西亚的镍资源。 Anantha Lakshmi: 印度尼西亚镍产业的崛起与中国密切相关。2014年,印尼政府禁止镍矿石出口,旨在提高出口商品的价值并吸引外国投资。中国公司迅速在印尼投资建设镍加工厂,控制了印尼大部分的镍提炼能力。虽然印尼最初对中国的投资表示欢迎,但随着地缘政治紧张局势加剧,印尼开始鼓励西方公司投资其镍产业,以实现多元化并对冲中国投资。然而,由于中国公司在成本和技术方面的优势,印尼吸引西方投资的努力尚未取得巨大成功。 Michela Tindera: 印度尼西亚控制着关键的镍资源,这使得世界似乎别无选择,只能使用印度尼西亚的镍。然而,这种控制也带来了一系列问题,包括环境破坏和工人安全问题。此外,由于对中国投资的依赖,印度尼西亚可能面临西方国家的疏远。因此,印度尼西亚需要在经济利益、环境责任和地缘政治之间取得平衡。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores Indonesia's remarkable journey in becoming the world's leading nickel producer, highlighting its transformation from a minor player to a de facto monopoly. The rapid growth of the nickel industry in regions like Bahadopi is examined, showcasing both the economic benefits and the challenges faced.
  • Indonesia's refined nickel production soared from 6% to 61% in a decade.
  • Bahadopi's transformation from a sparsely populated area to a bustling mining hub.
  • Indonesia holds the world's largest nickel reserves.
  • Global demand for nickel, driven by electronics and EV batteries, fueled Indonesia's growth.
  • Indonesia's dominance raises concerns about the consequences of a single country controlling such a critical commodity.

Shownotes Transcript

A decade ago, Indonesia produced only 6% of the world’s supply of refined nickel. Now, it has a de facto monopoly on the market. How did it happen? The FT’s Jakarta correspondent A. Anantha Lakshmi and FT’s commodities correspondent Camilla Hodgson examine what propelled this explosive growth and how China helped it happen. 

For further reading:

‘The Opec of nickel’: Indonesia’s control of a critical metal)

‘Production first, safety later’: inside the world’s largest nickel site)

Western miner Eramet sees no profits in nickel processing without Chinese partners)

Follow A. Anantha Lakshmi and Camilla Hodgson on X (@AnanthalakshmiA)) (@CamillaHodgson)). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07)) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com)), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy) for more information.