Will Relax Exports Of Copper Concentrat To PTFI, IMA: It Should Have Been From The Beginning

JAKARTA - Director of Indonesia Mining Asociation (IMA) Hendra Sinadia responded to the government's plan to open the tap for export of copper concentrate for PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI).

Hendra said this step should have been taken by the government from the start. This is because the fire that occurred in the PTFI smelter in Gresik had occurred since October 14, 2024 and the export ban began on December 31, 2024.

"Now it's February. It is ideal that the government has taken because the government has mapped everything and it has been confirmed that this step was carried out earlier," Hendra said in the MIning Zone quoted on Tuesday, February 25.

Regarding the state of the majeur force or force that occurred to PTFI, Hendra explained that the services of companies such as PTFI and Amman Mineral are mining companies that are then required to establish a smelter by the government. He assessed that the two technologies used in the mining and purification industry are two different things.

Moreover, he said, PTFI uses single line technology in its purification industry which is the first in the world.

"Of course, the risk of technology in processing smelters is very large and should be the government's concern. So that yesterday's chaotic situation can be addressed quickly," explained Hendra.

He also assessed that the government's move to provide export relaxation to PTFI was the right step.

"The steps taken by the government are appropriate by providing relaxation, which is a challenge in the future because technology continues to develop and the complexity is certainly large for mining companies," said Hendra.