Govt deploys TNI to accelerate rare earth mapping: BIM

By Adianto P. Simamora

The government has deployed personnel from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to assist in collecting samples as part of efforts to accelerate the mapping of rare earth element (REE) resources across Indonesia.

Julian Ambassadur Shiddiq, Deputy for System and Governance at the Mineral Industry Agency (BIM), said the step was taken to speed up field work as the government pushes to identify strategic mineral potential amid rising global demand.

“Because President Prabowo asked for the mapping to be completed quickly, we are conducting quick surveys in several locations. In some areas, we are even involving the TNI to collect samples, which are then sent to Jakarta for analysis,” Julian said at the Indonesia Mining Outlook 2026 forum in Jakarta.

Julian said the government has identified around 36 locations across Indonesia that are believed to contain rare earth resources. However, only about 22% of these areas have undergone detailed geological investigation so far.

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The mapping is part of the government’s effort to better understand the country’s rare earth potential and lay the groundwork for developing a domestic industry for strategic minerals.

Rare earth elements are increasingly important for a range of industries, including renewable energy, advanced electronics and defense technologies. Global demand for these materials is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades, while supply and refining capacity remain dominated by only a few countries.

He said that Indonesia is currently preparing a roadmap for rare earth development.

The plan will begin with further resource mapping and pilot processing projects before moving toward downstream production of rare earth materials and other strategic components.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak