Freeport Resumes Copper and Gold Exports

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Energy and Mineral Resources Deputy Minister Susilo Siswoutomo said PT Freeport had resumed its operations and begun to ship the second batch of its copper and gold concentrates.

“I visited them [Freeport] yesterday. They were preparing to export 50,000 tons [of copper and gold concentrates],” Susilo said on Monday, August 18, 2014, at Balai Kartini.

As the export bans for Freeport have been lifted, the government hoped the amendment of Freeport's mining contract would run without a hitch.

Freeport Indonesia president director Rozik B. Soetjipto said his company had exported 50,000 tons of copper and gold concentrates to Spain. On August 8, Freeport exported 10,000 tons of similar products to China.

Freeport signed an MoU related to the mining contract amendment before the Lebaran holiday on July 25, 2014. On the same day, mineral and coal director general R. Sukhayar issued a recommendation for export approval.

This year, Freeport’s export quota has been set at 756,300 tons valued at US$1.56 billion. A total of 532,000 tons has been allocated for domestic demands through PT Smelting Gresik. The MoU also requires Freeport to pay US$109 million as a royalty payment to the state.

AYU PRIMA SANDI | ANTARA