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Freeport alerts copper export ban could cost Indonesia $2 bln in lost profits

Copper miner Freeport Indonesia has actually warned the Indonesian federal government that banning exports of copper concentrate in June might lead to a loss of $2. billion in profits for Jakarta, a business official stated on. Thursday.

Indonesia's export restriction takes effect from June in an effort. to force miners to invest in domestic smelting centers, therefore. adding value to their products, boosting profits from exports.

Freeport Indonesia, managed by mining giant Freeport. McMoran, though the Indonesian federal government is a bulk. investor, has required the restriction to be unwinded as its Gresik. smelter would not be running at full capability by June.

If we can't export, state revenues will drop by around $2. billion, based upon existing costs, media quoted Chief Executive. Tony Wenas as saying in remarks validated by a company. representative.

The comments followed a meeting with President Joko Widodo,. at which he was accompanied by Freeport McMoran's chairman. Richard Adkerson and inbound president Kathleen L. Peculiarity.

Wenas repeated that construction of the Gresik smelter. would be total by May and start operating the following. month, reaching full capacity later on in 2024.

A spokesperson for Indonesia's mining ministry decreased to. remark. The president's office did not instantly react to a. ' ask for comment.

Wenas has actually previously said Freeport Indonesia would need to. cut ore production by 40% this year if the government did not. delay the restriction.

On Wednesday, Indonesian copper miner Amman Mineral. Internasional said it was also working out with the government. to relax the restriction considering that its smelter would not be ready by May,. arguing that the government makes tax incomes from Amman as. well as Freeport.

Freeport also raised the matter of extending its mining. permit during the conference, Wenas said.

Widodo and Adkerson met last November to talk about a 10%. increase in Indonesia's ownership of Freeport Indonesia and a. 20-year extension of its mining license beyond the current expiry. date of 2041.

(source: Reuters)