Freeport Indonesia is in discussions with the government about copper concentrate exports

A company spokesperson revealed on Friday that copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia is currently in talks with the government about being able continue to export copper concentrates until its new Manyar smelter resumes full operation.

The company had been allowed to export concentrate copper until the end December as it was expected that its new smelter would process its mine production domestically. The Manyar smelter, however, is currently closed due to a fire that occurred in October.

Katri Krisnati, the spokesperson for the company, said that repairs are underway at the plant and that the ramp-up of operations is expected to start around the middle of the year.

She said that the PTFI smelter and the Amamapare Port, where concentrates are stored, will soon be at capacity.

She added, "We are in discussions with the government about selling concentrates that will be refined by the PTFI smelter overseas until the smelter reaches 100% operational."

According to local media, PTFI Chief Executive Tony Wenas had a meeting with officials from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs last Friday.

The news site Kontan reported Elen Setiadi, a ministry official, saying that they discussed plans to repair the damage at the smelter quickly.

(source: Reuters)