Core Viewpoint - Indonesia's nickel industry, once thriving, is now struggling due to miscalculations in capacity expansion, technology adoption, and environmental considerations, leading to a significant decline in nickel prices and a reliance on imports despite having the largest nickel reserves globally [1][3][6][10]. Group 1: Industry Overview - Indonesia possesses 60% of the world's nickel reserves and previously experienced a boom in nickel exports, exceeding $30 billion annually [3]. - The country implemented a strategy to ban raw ore exports and mandated foreign investment in local smelting facilities, initially attracting major players like China's Tsingshan Holding and LG Energy Solution from South Korea [3][6]. Group 2: Misjudgments in Strategy - The first misjudgment was the unchecked expansion of production capacity, leading to a shift from a nickel shortage to a severe oversupply, with refined nickel capacity projected to exceed 2.2 million tons by 2024 [6]. - The second misjudgment involved falling behind in technology, as Indonesia focused on high-energy, high-emission pyrometallurgical processes while global battery technology shifted towards lithium iron phosphate batteries, which now dominate the market [6][10]. - The third misjudgment was neglecting environmental trends, as Indonesia's pyrometallurgical processes have carbon emissions three times higher than hydrometallurgical methods, leading to its nickel products being labeled as "dirty" under the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism [6][10]. Group 3: Comparative Strategies - In contrast to Indonesia, China has adopted a different approach by upgrading technology, establishing strategic reserves of primary nickel, reducing dependency on nickel by 40%, and focusing on high-end breakthroughs in the industry [8]. Group 4: Lessons for Resource-Rich Countries - Indonesia's experience highlights common misconceptions among resource-rich nations, such as equating resource advantages with industrial advantages and blindly copying foreign models without considering local conditions [10][12]. - The importance of a robust industrial ecosystem and technological autonomy is emphasized over mere resource control, as environmental standards increasingly become trade barriers [12][14]. - The ultimate competitive edge lies not in mineral wealth but in technological innovation, manufacturing processes, and market insights, which will determine the sustainability of the industry as resources deplete [14].

Core Insights - The Ivorian Refining Company (SIR) has officially commenced the construction of a Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) technology facility, with a total project cost of €831 million [1] - The project is financed by an international loan syndicate led by the African Development Bank, with technical support from companies like Kinetics Technology from Italy [1] - The facility is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2029, significantly reducing the sulfur content in diesel from 1800 ppm to below 10 ppm, well below the ECOWAS recommended standard of 50 ppm [1] - This development will enable SIR to produce ultra-clean diesel that meets international standards such as "Euro V," marking a significant step in enhancing energy autonomy, promoting environmental standards, and meeting regional market demands [1] - With this facility, SIR will become the first company in Sub-Saharan Africa to produce ultra-clean diesel that complies with international standards [1]