Freeport not yet to export concentrate

JAKARTA. Although the government has permitted PT Freeport Indonesia to export concentrate for the next eight months, while both parties continue negotiations, the cooper and gold miner has not made preparations to export its product.

Freeport Indonesia spokesman Riza Patrama said the company was waiting for the finalization of the legal basis for a special mining license (IUPK) from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry   

When that is finished, Freeport will obtain a concentrate export recommendation from the Trade Ministry, said Riza as reported by kotan.co.id on Thursday.

Freeport stopped exporting concentrate following the issuance of Government Regulation No. 1/2017 on coal and mineral mining (Minerba).

On Tuesday, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry secretary-general Teguh Pamudji said Freeport had been allowed to export its product for the next eight months and it would be evaluated after the first six months, taking into account the progress of smelter construction.

The miner will be allowed to return to the contract of work (CoW) signed in 1991, if a mutual agreement between Freeport Indonesia and the government cannot be made by October. However, it would not be allowed to export any copper concentrates.