Consultancy on the Legal and Regulatory Considerations for a Business Case of Re

About this role

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with more than 30 years of experience working to solve today's greatest sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise across critical policy areas with a collaborative approach to research, advice, and hands-on support that delivers real-world results. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 experts working from offices in Canada and Switzerland as well as other locations around the world.
1. Background
Indonesia’s continued push for domestic mineral processing and downstream industrial development has led to the expansion of alumina refining capacity. This is generating increasing volumes of red mud, a high-volume industrial residue from alumina production that poses environmental, operational, technical, economic, and legal challenges. Red mud may also contain recoverable minerals and could offer potential value if feasible management and utilization pathways can be identified.
The overall assignment will develop a business case for red mud management and utilization in Indonesia. The study will assess the current context, management challenges, sustainable tailings management considerations, legal and regulatory issues, economic and commercial feasibility, and practical implementation options. The final business case is expected to support decision making by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and other relevant stakeholders.
Within the business case, Chapter 5 will focus on legal and regulatory considerations. This chapter will clarify how Indonesia’s current legal and regulatory framework affects the handling, storage, transport, testing, treatment, utilization, valorization, and site-level management of red mud. It will identify regulatory constraints, opportunities, clarification needs, and practical policy implications to develop a stronger evidence base for policy-makers and regulators to formulate policies and regulations on bauxite value addition, hazardous waste management from refining industry, utilization of valuable minerals, and on the broader scope of industrial development planning and investment and responsible mining and processing. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) intends to engage a legal and regulatory consultant to prepare this chapter in close coordination with IISD, the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), Testing Center for Mineral and Coal (TekMIRA), Yayasan Corong Reformasi Ekonomi Indonesia (CORE Indonesia), the British Embassy Jakarta, and relevant Indonesian stakeholders.
2. Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct research and write a chapter on the legal and regulatory considerations for the business case on red mud management and utilization in Indonesia. To achieve this objective, the consultant will engage closely and consult with relevant stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Environment.
The chapter should provide a practical, implementation-oriented analysis of the legal and regulatory framework relevant to red mud management and utilization. It should help determine whether and how current laws, regulations, institutional mandates, permitting requirements, waste classifications, environmental obligations, and policy frameworks may enable or constrain red mud management, reprocessing, valorization, and utilization pathways.
The chapter should provide a clear assessment of the current regulatory baseline, identify key gaps and areas of uncertainty, and recommend practical areas for clarification, policy guidance, institutional coordination, and, where necessary, the development of new regulations. It should also analyze the potential impacts and implications of any proposed new regulations.
3. Objectives
The consultant will

• review the main Indonesian legal and regulatory provisions relevant to red mud management and utilization;

• assess how existing rules apply to red mud handling, storage, transport, testing, treatment, reprocessing, utilization, and site-level management;

• identify legal and regulatory issues that may affect the feasibility of red mud valorization and utilization options;

• assess relevant institutional roles and coordination needs across ministries, regulators, technical agencies, and subnational authorities;

• identify areas where legal clarification, regulatory guidance, policy direction, or institutional coordination may be needed;

• compare the implications of the current regulatory baseline with possible improved regulatory or policy approaches; and

• provide practical recommendations for inclusion in the overall business case and implementation roadmap.

4. Key Questions to Address
The consultant should ensure that the chapter answers the following questions:

• What laws, regulations, standards, and policy instruments are most relevant to red mud management and utilization in Indonesia?

• How is red mud currently classified or treated under the applicable legal and regulatory framework?

• What legal obligations apply to red mud handling, storage, transport, testing, treatment, and site-level management?

• How are potential additional requirements and consequences assessed when new regulations are considered necessary?

• What approvals, permits, licences, certifications, or reporting requirements may apply to red mud utilization or valorization?

• What legal or regulatory barriers may affect the feasibility of different red mud management and utilization pathways?

• What regulatory risks or liabilities may affect government, alumina operators, investors, processors, users of red mud–derived products, and local communities?

• Which institutions have mandates relevant to red mud management, environmental control, industrial development, mineral processing, and utilization?

• Where are there…