MEMR asks Industry Ministry to formulate metal industry roadmap

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has asked the Ministry of Industry to formulate a domestic metal industry roadmap to help the former in determining the domestic market obligation for mineral concentrate producers in the country.

Mohammad Hidayat, Director for Mineral Development at the MEMR, said Thursday that with clear information on the capacity of domestic smelters, it will help MEMR in determining a more accurate export quota of mineral concentrates.

He said that the ministry fears that if export of mineral concentrates continues unchecked, reserves will be quickly depleted, creating difficulties for domestic smelters to get raw material.

Hidayat said that going forward, the government hopes not much mineral concentrates can be exported as it should be further refined at home to provide greater added value.(*)