9 June 2026 – European stainless steel prices are expected to continue rising in the coming weeks and months, while delivery times are also set to lengthen further. Indonesia: no changes to mining regulations planned.
Indonesia: No Changes to Mining Regulations Planned
After European nickel prices had risen to more than USD 19,000 per tonne at the end of April 2026, they were able to hold their value relatively steadily throughout May. After a brief spike at the beginning of June, however, they have since consolidated somewhat and are currently moving at around USD 18,300. A very similar movement has also been seen in Asian nickel prices.
Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, stated on Monday that the Indonesian government did not intend to change the existing regulatory framework for nickel or coal – which would also include mining quotas, or RKAB. Only if necessary could the RKAB quotas be adjusted to market conditions in order to ensure a favourable market environment.
This stands in contrast to isolated reports that the Indonesian government could be planning to expand quotas for nickel and coal.
Last week, an Indonesian mining company also announced that its allocated nickel mining quotas for 2026 had already been exhausted, after they had been cut by almost 70% compared with the previous year.
At the moment, we are seeing conflicting reports from the authorities on one side and the private sector on the other. For now, we tend to believe the authorities with regard to the RKAB quotas. In our experience, when private market participants spread news about quotas, this can be compared with similarly stupid rumours that one or two EU producers have circulated when it came to the introduction of quotas and deadlines.
European Stainless Steel Prices Expected to Continue Rising
As media are currently reporting, European stainless steel prices are expected to continue rising in the coming weeks and months, while delivery times are also set to lengthen further. Among the reasons cited are renewed increases in alloy surcharges, but also the new successor measure to the EU safeguard, which is due to start on 1 July 2026. All major EU stainless steel producers have also reportedly already closed their order books, which would further extend delivery times.
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