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Freeport cautions copper export ban might cost Indonesia $2 bln in lost revenue

Copper miner Freeport Indonesia has actually warned the Indonesian federal government that prohibiting exports of copper concentrate in June might lead to a loss of $2. billion in profits for Jakarta, a business authorities said 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, improving earnings from exports.

Freeport Indonesia, managed by mining giant Freeport. McMoran, though the Indonesian federal government is a majority. shareholder, has actually required the ban to be unwinded as its Gresik. smelter would not be operating at complete capability by June.

If we can't export, state profits will come by around $2. billion, based upon current rates, media quoted Chief Executive. Tony Wenas as stating in remarks validated by a company. spokesperson.

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

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

A representative for Indonesia's mining ministry decreased to. remark.

At a different occasion on Thursday, Widodo told reporters the. government targets conclusion of all negotiations with Freeport. by June at the current.

We have to settle the policy initially and then we can. finalise the negotiation, he said, describing a guideline on. extension of mining authorizations.

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

On Wednesday, Indonesian copper miner Amman Mineral. Internasional said it was also negotiating with the federal government. to unwind the ban since its smelter would not be all set by May,. arguing that the government earns tax revenues from Amman as. well as Freeport.

Freeport also raised the matter of extending its mining. license during the meeting, Wenas said.

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

(source: Reuters)