Central Sulawesi pushes for full mining downstreaming

The Central Sulawesi Provincial Government is emphasizing the necessity of complete mining downstreaming to ensure regional commodities are processed into finished products rather than being exported as raw or semi-finished materials. Vice Governor Reny A. Lamadjido stated that focusing on final-stage processing, particularly for nickel, is essential to maximize economic value, create jobs, and foster supporting business ecosystems.

The government remains open to investors willing to build processing industries in the province, provided they adhere to all regulatory and licensing requirements. Currently, Central Sulawesi holds 151 mining business licenses (IUP) and 293 non-metallic mineral and rock licenses. The region's economy grew by 5.06 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, with the manufacturing industry contributing 44.37 percent to the regional GDP.