Highlights

• Peer-reviewed research from Universitas Muslim Indonesia finds manganese ores in South Sulawesi's Anabanua District contain meaningful light rare earth element (LREE) concentrations that compare favorably with global deposits.
• The study used petrography, X-ray diffraction, and ICP-OES geochemistry on three samples to identify LREEs including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and samarium alongside manganese minerals.
• While the geological discovery adds to Indonesia's critical minerals potential, the lack of domestic processing capacity means any new feedstock risks flowing back to Chinese refineries, highlighting that discovery alone doesn't equal strategic independence.

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A new peer-reviewed study led by Muhamad Hardin Wakila (opens in a new tab) of Universitas Muslim Indonesia, with collaborators from Universitas Gadjah Mada (opens in a new tab), delivers a detailed look at an underexplored source of rare earth elements (REEs): manganese deposits in South Sulawesi. Published in the Journal of Geoscience, Engineering, Environment, and Technology (Vol. 10, No. 4, 2025), the study finds that manganese ores from Anabanua District contain meaningful concentrations of light rare earth elements (LREEs)—in some cases exceeding levels reported at comparable deposits worldwide.

The takeaway is simple for non-specialists: Indonesia has more REE potential than commonly assumed—but turning geology into supply depends on processing, not discovery alone.

How the Study Worked—From Rock to Numbers

The research team collected three manganese samples from Anabanua Village, Barru Regency, South Sulawesi, and applied a three-step analytical approach:

• Petrography to identify mineral textures and alteration.
• X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine crystalline mineral phases.
• ICP-OES geochemistry to quantify individual rare earth elements.

This combination allowed the authors to connect what the rocks look like under a microscope with precise chemical measurements—an important bridge for investors and policymakers who need more than surface claims.

What They Found—REEs Riding Along with Manganese

The manganese ores host a wide range of REEs, including yttrium, scandium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and samarium, alongside smaller amounts of heavy REEs such as dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium. Reported concentrations include:

• LREEs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) are at levels that compare favorably with several known global deposits.
• HREEs are present but generally at lower concentrations.

The authors conclude that these manganese deposits are potentially viable LREE sources, warranting consideration in Indonesia’s strategic mineral planning.

Why This Matters—And Where China Still Dominates

From a Rare Earth Exchanges™ perspective, the geology is encouraging—but it does not change the global balance overnight. China’s near-monopoly in rare earth separation and refining remains the decisive chokepoint. Manganese-hosted REEs add exploration optionality for Indonesia, yet without domestic or allied processing capacity, any new feedstock risks flow back into Chinese refineries. Plus, we must factor in the intertwined trade dynamics between Indonesia and China.

For lay readers: finding REEs is not the same as supplying magnets or batteries. The value—and leverage—sit in the chemical processing steps that convert rock into usable materials.

Limitations and Controversial Edges

The study is careful and narrow by design:

• Small sample size (three samples) limits immediate economic conclusions.
• No beneficiation or processing tests were performed—grades alone do not equal recoverability.
• Market viability is implied, not proven, especially given energy, environmental, and capex constraints.

The most controversial risk is over-interpretation: geochemical promise does not equal strategic independence.

Conclusion—A Geological Opportunity, Not a Strategic Shortcut

Wakila et al. add valuable data to Indonesia’s critical minerals map, highlighting manganese deposits as a credible LREE host. But the larger lesson is global: until processing capacity diversifies beyond China, new discoveries shift options—not power. Indonesia’s rocks may be ready; the supply chain is not.

Citation: Wakila, M.H., Chalik, C.A., Thamsi, A.B., Jafar, N., Harwan, Umar, E.P. (2025). Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements in Manganese Deposits in the Anabanua District, Barru Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Journal of Geoscience, Engineering, Environment, and Technology, 10(4). DOI: 10.25299/jgeet.2025.10.4.24882

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