Export volume of low grade nickel, washed bauxite remains low

Petromindo|Thomas

Export volume of low grade nickel ores and washed bauxite remain low as a number of mining firms which have obtained export permit are still at the stage of making preparations to ship the commodities overseas.

Bisnis Indonesia quoted Director for Mineral Management and Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Bambang Susigit as saying Thursday that as per mid-October of this year, realized export low grad nickel ores stood at 2.72 million tons, or 30.29 percent of the total export quota of 8.98 million tons given to six miners.

Realized export volume of washed bauxite in the same period was much lower at 640,214 tons compared to the export quota of 9.66 million tons.

?They (the miners) are certainly still making preparations (for export). So probably, they will start export after a few months obtaining (the export) permit,? Bambang said, adding that the ministry is set to soon issue another export recommendation letter for low grade nickel, and another for washed bauxite.

The ministry introduced a new regulation earlier this year allowing miners to export low grade nickel ores with purity of less than 1.7 percent, and washed bauxite with purity of less than 42 percent under certain conditions including commitment to develop domestic smelter. (*)