Jakarta – In the planned revision of Law (Law) Number 4 of 2009 concerning Minerals and Coal, there is a proposal to re-open the export of raw minerals (ore). The proposed amendment immediately triggered protests from entrepreneurs who have been consistently building mineral processing (smelters).

Chairman of the Indonesian Smelter and Mineral Processing Association, Raden Sukhyar said, it felt unfair if other mining entrepreneurs had committed to build a smelter, even the progress was already more than 80%, at the same time, the government actually reopened ore exports through the planned revision of the Minerba Law.

“Many friends have built smelters, there are even 40 companies whose smelters have reached 80% progress, especially nickel the most. So we ask to move forward (ban on ore exports), “said Sukhyar in a discussion on the Minister of Trade’s Prohibition on Mineral Export Restriction at Tjikini 5 Restaurant, Jakarta, Sunday (9/25/2016).

He revealed, if the government reopens ore exports, it would certainly damage the confidence of entrepreneurs who have committed to run downstream.

On the other hand, it is also seen as not protecting a company that has a good intention to build a smelter.

“Those who are already working (build smelters) must be protected. Ore must be processed domestically, otherwise this will hit investors who are already awake. If there are businessmen who are obedient, they should be appreciated, “said Sukhyar who is also a former Director General of Mineral and Coal.

It should be noted, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources data as of September 2016, of the 84 IUP (Mining Business Licenses) in the center, there are already 64 smelters currently under construction.

With the most smelters coming from 34 nickel smelters, zircon 11 smelters, 7 smelters bauxite, 5 smelters iron, 4 smelters zinc, 4 smelter kaolin and manganese 2 smelters. (drk / drk)

In Media, Media Coverage | PWYP Indonesia | September 25th, 2016