Govt softens stance on mineral ores export ban

Edi Junaedi

As deadline for the planned export ban left only three weeks to go, the government softened its stance by unveiling plans to allow mining companies to export mineral ores after May 6.

Directorate General of coal and mineral resources at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource Thamrin Sihite however quickly added that the office has not yet made a final decision on the matter, saying to reporters ?The company which has secured clean and clear certificate and has business plan to build smelter by 2014 and make commitment to not export raw materials by 2014 could still export mineral ores after May 6,?.

Ministerial Regulation Number 7/2012 requires that after May 6 all ores produced by mining have to go through processing/refining in the country to increase their value for them to be allowed for export.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora