Freeport exports 50,000t concentrates to Spain

Gold and copper giant PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has made a 50,000-ton copper concentrates export to Spain, its second export shipment since obtaining export permit from the government following a six-month suspension.

This was said by Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Susilo Siswoutomo who visited PTFI?s operation in Papua on Monday to among others look into the company?s underground mining construction progress. PTFI has just made the concentrates shipment to Spain when Susilo made the visit.

PTFI resumed export of concentrates earlier this month, with the first shipment made to China, after more than six months of suspension since January 12 following the introduction of tighter export requirements set by the government including obligation to build domestic smelter.

The company finally obtained the necessary export permit from the government after meeting a number of requirements including putting in place a plan to build the smelter.

Meanwhile, Director General of Mineral and Coal R. Sukhyar, who accompanied Susilo in the visit, said that PTFI is selecting for locations in Gresik, East Java, to be the site of its planned smelter.

PTFI?s US$2.3 billion smelter is expected to start commercial operation in 2017. (*)