PT BAIT invests US$2m for manganese processing in Kupang

PT Bhakti Alam Indonesia Timur (BAIT) is building a manganese processing plant that would produce manganese concentrates in Silu Village, Fatuleu District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. BAIT Yusuf Merukh stated that the investment for the plant's construction reached US$2 million (about Rp 32.5 billion).

"The manganese concentrate plant we are building is located on an 8,000 square meter (m²) plot of land, with an investment of US$2 million," said Yusuf after the groundbreaking for the plant on Aug. 8, 2025.

Yusuf stated that the plant will empower communities in Kupang Regency, ncluding through collaboration with the Red-and-White Cooperatives (KMPs) from several villages. The cooperatives (co-op) will supply manganese, as the village cooperatives have obtained community mining permits (IPRs).

Yusuf explained that the plant's estimated material requirements are 1,000 tons to produce about 500 tons of manganese concentrate. He noted that the factory could employ 100-200 permanent workers, as well as 300-500 daily or contract workers from the local community.

"Our hope is that the factory will become a collection point for the community. We can also empower the surrounding community, including the people who work here," Yusuf said.

BAIT Business Development and Human Resources Director Puji Setiawan Dipraja informed that the factory is targeting initial exports of 300 tons of manganese concentrate per month to Taiwan and Vietnam.

"Actually, buyers from Taiwan and Vietnam requested a minimum of 2,000 tons [of manganese] per month. However, we chose to be realistic and start with 300 tons first," he divulged.

Puji said that the company will continue to strive to explore manganese potential in Kupang Regency in an environmentally friendly manner. One way to do so is by encouraging the development of IPR cessions managed by village communities and supervised by KMPs.

Meanwhile, PT BAIT Commissioner Wibowo Suseno Wirijawa explained about the company's history in Kupang Regency.

"We started operating at this location since 2012. We were twice subject to a moratorium by the governor at that time, and our permit was also revoked by the central government. But thankfully, we are back here," he revealed.

He hopes that the presence of this factory will contribute to the local government and the surrounding community.