Two firms obtain permit to export low grade nickel ores, bauxite
Wednesday, July 5 2017 - 01:29 AM WIB
The recommendation letter from the ministry is necessary for the two mining firms to obtain export permit from the Ministry of Trade.
Director for Mineral Development and Management at the ministry Bambang Susigit said on Tuesday that the recommendation letters were issued after the ministry completed evaluation of the required documents submitted by the two firms including their plans to develop domestic smelters.
According to the recommendation letter, Ceria is given a one-year quota to export 2.3 million tons of low grade nickel ores with purity of less than 1.7 percent. Meanwhile, Dinamika is given a one-year quota to export 2.4 million tons of washed bauxite with purity of less than 42 percent.
Bambang said that Ceria plans to develop a nickel smelter in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, while Dinamika plans to develop smelter in Sanggau, West Kalimantan.
The government introduced new regulations in January of this year allowing mining firms to export low grade nickel ores and washed bauxite under certain conditions including putting in place plan to develop domestic smelter.
The government has previously issued permits for IDX-listed mining firm PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) and privately-held mining firm PT Fajar Bhakti Lintas Nusantara to export low grade nickel ores, respectively with one-year export quota of 2.7 million tons and 1 million tons. Antam has also been given permit to export 850,000 tons of washed bauxite.
Bisnis Indonesia quoted Chairman of the Indonesia Nickel Miners Association (APNI) Ladjiman Damanik as saying Wednesday that there has so far only a few companies which have obtained permit to export low grade nickel ores because miners need time to complete the documents required by the government. He pointed out that there are 11 requirements that must be met by miners to be able to export the commodity. (*)