Newmont says Batu Hijau mine operation remains normal

Gold and copper giant PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NTT) said that copper production at its Batu Hijau mine in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara Province, continues to run normally although the company has not been able to make export after its export permit expired on May 20.

?The Batu Hijau operation runs normally,? said NTT Spokesperson Rubi Purnomo on Monday. Rubi said that the company has applied for an extension of its export permit since April in line with Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No 5/2016, and hopes the government to quickly approve the request.

Director General of Mineral and Coal Bambang Gatot Ariyono said on Friday that the ministry was still in the process of reviewing whether NTT has met all the necessary requirements to get recommendation letter for an extension of its export permit for another six months. The export permit is issued by the Ministry of Trade.

It is said that one of the key requirements is the progress in in realizing NTT?s commitment to participate in the development of a US$2.3 billion copper smelter in Gresik, East Java, to be developed by another gold and copper giant PT Freeport Indonesia. (*)