Ministry sets up team to assess smelter projects

Petromindo

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has selected the list of companies that that will form an independent team assigned to verify domestic smelter projects promised by mineral mining firms.

Bambang Susigit, Director for Mineral Management and Development at the ministry, said on Friday that the team will comprise of 20 experts recruited from the selected companies.

He said that the companies will be given freedom to appoint members for the team as long as they follow the criteria set by the ministry such as having at least seven years of work experience in state firms, and has expertise in the fields of metallurgical and smelter.

He added that a ministerial regulation on the appointment of the verification team has been finalized and will soon be issued.

The government in January introduced a new regulation allowing mining firms to continue export of mineral concentrates for another five years on certain conditions including expressing commitment to develop domestic smelters. The government will assign the independent team to verify smelter projects promised by the miners which have obtained export permit. The smelter projects will be reviewed by the team of experts every six months, and those failing to show significant progress will risk their export permit revoked. (*)