Jakarta, IO – Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Geological Agency suggested the Lapindo mud disaster in Sidoarjo, East Java might be a blessing in disguise as it holds a “treasure trove” in the form of rare mineral resources such as lithium and strontium.
As is widely reported, lithium is a critical component in electric vehicles battery while strontium is the raw material for electronic goods. This will of course boost the government’s ambition to make Indonesia an EV manufacturing hub.
Read: The spirit of May Day during Eid al-Fitr: Seeking middle ground in midst of Job Creation Law
“The Lapindo mud contains Lithium, which is a highly sought-after minerals needed in the future, especially for electric batteries,” Moehammad Awaluddin, the Geological Agency’s center for mineral, coal, and geothermal resources, told CNBC on Thursday (12/5).
Awaluddin further said that many business entities are now looking to work on the Lapindo mud project. However, the government has yet to give a greenlight. Currently, his agency will focus on further exploration to prove the existence of lithium.