Indonesia introduces new rules allowing exports of minerals in cases of force majeure

The Indonesian Government has published a regulation that allows mineral companies to export ore unprocessed in situations of force majeure, said the Energy Ministry on Thursday.

Indonesia has banned the export of raw minerals by 2023 in order to encourage metals to be processed at home. However, there are some exceptions. One is for miner PT Freeport Indonesia which received a permit to export copper until repairs to its Manyar smelter were completed. Freeport asked the government to renew its export license, which expired at the end last year.

Dadan Kusdiana said that export permits will be valid for six month after the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry issues a recommendation to grant them.

Dadan informed Freeport Indonesia that a new license to export copper concentrate had not yet been requested. Freeport Indonesia didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

Bloomberg Technoz reported earlier Thursday that a deputy minister of energy had said Freeport Indonesia will be allowed to continue exporting copper concentrates until June 2025 after the new regulations are issued.

(source: Reuters)