Govt to tighten mining products export rules

Exporters of all mining products will have undergo a new verification process by government appointed surveyors effective July, a senior trade official said on Tuesday.

Diah Maulida, Director General of Foreign Trade at the Trade Ministry said that in future, Indonesia's mineral exports must be verified by independent surveyors before they are loaded aboard ships for sale overseas.

"If we have accurate data, it will help good mining practices, including minimising environmental damage and illegal exports of mining products," said Maulida, adding that the new policy would come into effect on July 5.

"Mining companies are scattered across the country and are located in remote areas. So we think two months is sufficient to introduce the new policy," Maulida said.

Mining products which will be verified before export include coal, nickel ores and concentrates, copper ores and concentrates, as well as bauxite.

At present, exporters are only required to submit export documents to the customs office.

In February last year, the ministry passed a similar regulation requiring all exporters of tin and type C mining products (except sand, soil and top soil) to undergo the verification process.

Type C products include granite, kaolin, marble and pumice. (*)