French mining and metallurgical group Eramet has officially introduced Jérôme Baudelet as the new CEO of Eramet Indonesia, effective September 2024, replacing Bruno Faour.
Through this new leadership, Eramet is ready to become a strategic partner of the Indonesian government in supporting the development of the electric vehicle (EV) industry and Indonesia’s energy transition goals.
Baudelet has been with Eramet for over two decades, beginning his career as a Market Analyst at Eramet USA in 1994. He later held various managerial roles in Taiwan, China, and France, before becoming Sales and Marketing Director for Nickel and Lithium in 2013.
With his extensive global experience in the nickel and stainless steel industries, Baudelet brings a strong vision to position Eramet Indonesia as a strategic government partner and a key player in the global EV ecosystem.
Eramet in Indonesia
Eramet has operated in Indonesia since 2006, starting with exploration activities in Halmahera, North Maluku. In 2017, Eramet formed a joint venture with Tsingshan, establishing PT Weda Bay Nickel (WBN). In the WBN ownership structure, Strand Minerals holds 90% of the shares, consisting of Eramet (43%) and Tsingshan (57%). The remaining 10% is owned by PT Antam Tbk, representing the Government of Indonesia.
Through this strategic partnership, Eramet brings technical expertise in international-standard mining operations and contributes to the sustainable development of Indonesia’s nickel industry.
The company has recorded substantial progress in nickel production at WBN, supported by the fact that Weda Bay is one of the world’s largest nickel mines. Eramet’s latest report states that over 52% of its total nickel ore volume is produced in Indonesia.
In addition to nickel, Eramet is also focusing on other critical minerals in the EV battery value chain, such as lithium. This year, Eramet signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia’s Geological Agency (ESDM) to jointly study the potential lithium resources in the country.
Moreover, in 2023, Eramet partnered with Kalla Group, PowerCo, and Stellantis to form a consortium for the development of an environmentally friendly EV hub called “Responsible Green Electric Vehicle” (RGEV) in Indonesia, aiming to promote sustainable extraction and processing practices.
Baudelet emphasized that going forward, Eramet will focus on achieving its ambition to become a key player in Indonesia’s EV industry by prioritizing investment and the development of critical minerals that support the energy transition, including nickel, lithium, and cobalt.
As a mining player, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to implementing sustainable mining practices, including the adoption of international standards such as the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), which is globally recognized.
On another front, this major nickel player is also deploying a CSR Roadmap for 2024–2026 titled “Act for Positive Mining” to reinforce its sustainability commitments.
“Eramet is committed to ensuring that mining operations at Weda Bay Nickel follow the CSR roadmap. At the global level, Eramet has scheduled IRMA audits across all our operational areas,” he concluded.
