IMA wants role in drafting new mineral export regulation

By Tri Subhki R

The Indonesian Mining Association (IMA) asked for involvement in drafting the planned new Government Regulation (PP) to relax the mineral ores export ban policy.

"We and all related industries have asked for involvement in discussing the new PP and Minister Regulation," IMA Executive Director Syahrir AB said.

As mandated by the Mining Law, the government plans to ban the export of mineral ores starting January 12, 2014, forcing miners or investors to build domestic smelters in a bid to generate greater value added for the country.

But as the planned new smelters will take time to build, while the export ban policy will take effect soon, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik said on December 27 that the government would issue a new government regulation or PP to relax the export ban policy, allowing miners which have been conducting smelting and refining activities at certain level to continue export their ores next year.

Syahrir said the issuance of the new PP should take into account some requirements, including the exact data of national reserve of minerals, government's support for infrastructure, particularly electricity and the roadmap of metal-based industries

IMA claimed that all of its members, including the Contract of Work (COW) holders, have conducted refining and processing of mineral ores.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak