NTB govt urges extension of AMNT export permit ahead of April expiry

The provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is urging the central government to extend the copper concentrate export permit of PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT), citing concerns over potential economic disruption if shipments are halted.

The company’s current export permit is set to expire this month, following a six-month approval granted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) from late October 2025 to April 2026.

Lalu Mohammad Faozal, Assistant II for Economic Affairs at the provincial secretariat, said the administration is prioritizing short-term economic stability and supports continued exports.

“Our option is to prioritize what benefits the economy in the short term. Therefore, we are pushing for AMNT’s export permit to be extended,” he said on Thursday, as quoted by local news outlet Suarantb.com

Read also: Amman secures Copper Mark certification for Batu Hijau operations

Lalu warned that the expiration of the export permit could negatively affect the province’s economic growth in the second quarter of 2026, including regional revenue derived from royalties.

“Our regional revenue will be eroded, and our growth figures will be affected,” he said.

He added that AMNT’s copper smelter in West Nusa Tenggara has yet to reach full operational capacity and still requires time before it can fully process output domestically.

“We will meet again with AMNT management next week to assess what steps are needed and what support the provincial government can provide,” he said.

Separately, NTB Energy and Mineral Resources Agency head Samsudin said there has been no certainty regarding a possible extension of the export permit.

He noted that prior to the expiry of such permits, coordination meetings are typically held between the regional government, AMNT and relevant ministries, with the outcome of the evaluation determining whether an extension will be granted.

“The extension period will depend on a comprehensive evaluation, including social, political and economic considerations,” he said.

As previously reported, AMNT received approval to export up to 480,000 dry metric tons of copper concentrate until April 2026, allowing the company to resume shipments while repairs to its smelter are ongoing.

The smelter, which experienced damage to key components including the flash converting furnace and sulfuric acid plant, is undergoing complex repairs expected to continue into the first half of 2026, AMNT said in November of last year.

The export permit has enabled AMNT to avoid excessive stockpiling of concentrate and maintain mining operations, while contributing to both national and regional economies.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak