PT Freeport Indonesia is in discussions with the government about being able to continue copper concentrate exports until its new Manyar smelter returns to full operations, reported Reuters.
The miner was allowed to export copper concentrate until the end of December, as the smelter was expected to process its mine output domestically by then. However, a fire in October has pushed the timeline back.
Repairs are ongoing and a ramp-up to operations is now expected to begin around mid-year, PT Freeport Indonesia spokesperson Katri Krisnati said.
“This will certainly have an impact on our concentrate storage capacity both at the Amamapare port and at the PTFI smelter, which will be full going forward,” she told Reuters.
“We are currently discussing with the government to sell concentrate that should be refined at the PTFI smelter abroad until the smelter is fully operational.”
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters the government is considering the miner’s request and that a decision will be taken in a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto.
Source: Reuters