In the high-stakes world of global metals, a reclusive figure has quietly ascended to a position of immense power. Arif Kurniawan, a former trader for commodities giant Glencore PLC, is now the dominant force in nickel ore trading within Indonesia, the world's top producer of this critical battery metal. His remarkable journey from corporate employee to industry titan mirrors the explosive growth of Indonesia's nickel sector itself.
The Architect of a Nickel Empire
Operating largely out of the spotlight, Kurniawan and his main business partner, Edi Liu Amas, have built a sprawling network of mining interests. A Bloomberg News analysis of corporate filings reveals they hold stakes in at least 20 mining concessions across Indonesia's key nickel regions. These holdings cover a staggering 71,000 hectares (175,000 acres)—an area comparable in size to New York City and larger than the massive Weda Bay Nickel mine.
While precise public data is scarce, industry insiders estimate Kurniawan's firms traded approximately one-third of Indonesia's domestic nickel ore market in the past year, excluding supply consumed by fully integrated conglomerates. Based on 2024 production of 220 million tons and current government benchmark prices, this volume could represent an annual trade value approaching US$3 billion.
Riding the Wave of Indonesia's Industrial Transformation
Kurniawan's fortunes are inextricably linked to Indonesia's strategic pivot. Over the past decade, technological advances allowed the nation to exploit its vast reserves of previously uneconomical, low-grade nickel ore. This, combined with government production restrictions since 2022 that tightened supply, propelled Indonesia to supply nearly 70% of global nickel production.
"Indonesia has been a complete disruptor of the nickel market over the last 10 years," said Angela Durrant, principal base metals analyst at CRU Group in Sydney. "These local guys are the power brokers." While much attention has focused on Chinese billionaires investing billions in Indonesian nickel processing, the influence of domestic players like Kurniawan, who control the vital mine source, has been less documented.
A Solitary Rise in a Changing Landscape
Unlike many Indonesian magnates who inherit family businesses, Kurniawan's path has been a solo venture, built on alliances, trading acumen, and perfect timing. However, this hard-won position faces new uncertainties. The administration of President Prabowo Subianto is implementing changes in the mining sector, igniting a fresh battle for control over the nation's mineral wealth.
This account of Kurniawan's ascent is based on interviews with more than 19 miners, traders, and smelter operators familiar with his operations, as well as dozens of Indonesian company registry filings. Most sources requested anonymity to discuss private matters. When contacted for comment through associates in December 2025, Kurniawan declined to speak.
His story underscores a pivotal shift in the global commodities map. As nickel becomes essential for electric vehicle batteries and the clean energy transition, the control of its source material grants significant geopolitical and economic influence. Kurniawan's low-profile empire now sits at the very heart of this supply chain, making him a central, if elusive, figure in the world's race to secure critical minerals.
