ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Indonesian seas hold enormous potential and wealth. Apart from fish, Indonesian seas also hold the potential for rare earth elements (REE) and clean energy.
Based on the results of surveys and mapping as well as data processing carried out by the Center for Marine Geological Survey and Mapping, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, it was found that there is a potential of 4.6 billion m3 of heavy minerals carrying rare earth metals, 268.4 million placer gold m3, 386.4 million m3 of tin sand, 22.8 billion m3 of silica sand, and 30 billion m3 of iron sand.
Head of the Center for Marine Geological Survey and Mapping, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Hadi Wijaya, emphasized that this potential cannot be interpreted as potential for all regions of Indonesia, because the survey conducted only covered 10% and had not been supplemented with surveys from stakeholders.
“This is actually the result of a pure survey from the Geological Agency and has not been added to the research results of related partners or stakeholders. So this means that the potential for marine minerals in Indonesia is huge,” he said at the ‘End of Year Reflection: Resource Utilization for Indonesia’s Energy Transition’ event. ‘ which will be held in Bandung, West Java, Saturday, December 16 2023.
Hadi revealed that his party has been diligently looking for the potential for Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Indonesian oceans.
Rare earth metals themselves are the world’s favorite along with the increasing use of clean energy and have become the main element in electric and electronic vehicle products.
With the great benefits of these rare earth metals, the Geological Agency continues to carry out surveys and mapping and has collected data on existing potentials.
“We have obtained the data, so from the survey throughout Indonesia, we still cover around 10%, which means there is still a lot of homework to do,” he said.
Of this 10%, the Geological Agency has surveyed and mapped 1,820 samples from 12 commodities in 30 locations in Indonesian waters, where the samples were taken from seabed sediment using geological equipment.
Apart from that, if the samples taken are in sea that is more than 500 meters deep, the Geological Agency uses a sophisticated research vessel, namely the Geomarine III, which has a multipurpose vessel, with its function for hydrographic, oceanographic, geological and geophysical mapping.
“Throughout 2023, we are carrying out surveys using geomarine ships and small boats, it is recorded that we have obtained a survey track of 4,790 KM, or almost 5 round trips from Jakarta to Banyuwangi, this is the longest in the last 5 years,” he added.
Energy 60 GW
Hadi Wijaya also explained that Indonesia’s seas also hold large clean energy potential and can be utilized to support Net Zero Emission (NZE) by 2060.
“Indonesia has marine energy potential such as current, wave and OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) energy,” he explained.
Hadi revealed that the Geological Agency had carried out a series of activities to measure Indonesia’s marine energy potential which could be utilized for electrical energy at 17 points, with a total potential of reaching 60 GW.
The 17 water points are in the Riau Strait, Sunda Strait, Toyapakeh Strait Nusa Penida, Lombok Strait, Alas Strait, Molo Strait, Larantuka Strait, Boleng Strait, Pantar Strait, Mansuar Strait, Lirung Talaud Strait, Sugi Riau Strait, Lampa Strait Natuna, Lembeh Strait, Southeast Medan Sinaboi Strait, South Halmahera Patinti Strait, and Alor Strait.
The results of this mapping have also been launched by the Geological Agency in 2022 into the Indonesian Marine Energy Potential Map.
Hadi continued, his team had gone through the first phase of looking for data to support the mapping, by carrying out a Pre-Feasibility Study (FS), one of which was site selection.
“So Pre-FS site selection is to be able to determine the best location, so that we can get current, wave or OTEC energy,” he explained.
Furthermore, Hadi said that from the mapping that had been carried out, it could be said that all of Indonesia’s seas contain marine energy potential.
“Western, central, eastern, even southern and northern Indonesia all contain marine energy potential, whether ocean currents, waves or OTEC energy,” he concluded. (AT Network)
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