Exports of mineral ores rise 19.7 percent in first quarter

Exports of Indonesia?s mineral ores rose by 19.7 percent to 30.73 million tons in the first quarter of this year from only 25.67 million tons in the first quarter of last year despite the government?s restriction on exports of unprocessed mineral products, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Monday.

In term of their value, the mineral ore export rose 36.21 percent to US$1.38 billion in the first quarter from the level recorded in the same period, last year, according to latest export data issued by the trade ministry.

The highest increase was recorded by copper ores and concentrates which rose 91.4 percent to 266,064 tons worth $582.02 million, followed by nickel ores and their concentrates which rose by 61.15 percent to 15.97 million tons worth $467.35 million and iron ores and their concentrates which increased by 18.16 percent to 4,1 million tons worth $100.99 million.

The exports of mineral ores rose sharply despite the government?s restriction on exports of unprocessed minerals which were introduced last year to prevent overexploitation of the country?s mineral resources ahead of the government?s plan to ban raw material exports in 2014.

Dede Ida Suhendra, the director of mineral enterprises training & supervision division at the energy and mineral resources ministry, said that the increase was partly due to the ministry?s decision to ease export restriction in late 2012.

?Exports of unprocessed ores are still allowed with special requirement including an agreement that miners will abide to the export ban which will be implemented in 2014,? he said. (*)