Indonesia weighs nickel smelter freeze; Chinese investors face disruption

Indonesia is considering a moratorium on new nickel smelters to counter global oversupply and protect local industry, per energy minister Bahlil Lahadalia. Chinese investors, who dominate Indonesia's nickel processing sector, would face significant disruption if the freeze is implemented. The move signals a policy shift toward supply management, potentially supporting nickel prices but adding regulatory risk for foreign capital.