Indonesia is home to 285 million people, the enormous Komodo dragon, and the largest number of volcanoes of any country. But it also happens to be home to the world’s biggest nickel reserves and is one of the world’s leading producers of coal, copper and gold, making the country a major player in the global mining sector.

Since 1997, PT. Liebherr Indonesia Perkasa has supported Indonesian mining companies from its base in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. But in the past few years, the Indonesian mining industry has experienced enormous change. We spoke to Christian Bombenger, managing director of sales and operations, Liebherr Indonesia, to learn how he and his team continue to provide exceptional service to their growing customer base during this transformative time.

What makes the Indonesian mining industry different from other industries?

Mining in Indonesia is unique for a number of reasons. We are major producers of a number of important commodities and are in fact the biggest producer of nickel and the second largest producer of tin, coal, copper and gold. As such, mining is a key economic pillar in Indonesia. Particularly because, as the world's leading nickel producer, we’re at the centre of the global electric vehicle battery supply chain and energy transition. Our position provides substantial opportunities for export earnings and employment in the mining sector, especially in remote areas where these kinds of opportunities aren’t as plentiful. However, one of the major challenges we face is the extensive infrastructure development required for new mines. A sizeable percentage of our mineral deposits are in remote areas which means things like ports, roads and smelters need to be built in order for those deposits to be extracted and processed.

Another way in which the Indonesian mining industry is unique is Indonesia’s nationalistic approach to our mineral resources. There’s a ban on raw ore exports here and so, unlike other major mining markets, the largest players in the Indonesian mining sector are local private companies and state-owned enterprises.

What has been the impact of the new remanufacturing centre in Balikpapan since it opened in February 2025?

Since opening in February, the new remanufacturing centre in Balikpapan has made a big difference in the way we work, both in terms of quality and the overall experience for our team.

We have had a remanufacturing facility in Balikpapan for many years, but this new one brings everything to the next level. With better equipment, updated processes and a more efficient layout, we are now able to deliver high-quality components with greater consistency. It’s a major upgrade that helps us meet growing customer expectations while improving performance and reliability across the board.

This new chapter in Balikpapan reflects our ongoing commitment to do things better. Not just in the quality of our work, but in the way we support the people who make this work possible.

How have you seen the Indonesian mining landscape change since you first started at Liebherr Indonesia – what are the main drivers for industry and how is Liebherr Indonesia responding to these?

Over the years, Indonesia’s mining landscape has evolved significantly. Where the industry was once dominated by a few large players, today the market is more dynamic, with a growing number of local companies entering the field. At the same time, regulatory changes have played a major role. The government has continued to introduce policies aimed at maximising national benefit, whether through domestic market obligations, increased royalties or efforts to localise ownership and operations.

In response to these changes, our approach has remained consistent: we stay close to our customers, listen to their evolving needs and focus on delivering high-performance machines that offer maximum productivity and minimal operating costs. Our goal is to support their success in this ever-changing industry.

Published October 2025