Government Approves Freeport Mining RKAB Until 2026, Tembus Ore Production 219 Million Tons

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) approved the PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) work plan and budget.

The RKAB issued will take effect for 3 years, starting from 2024 to 2026.

The Acting Director General of Mineral and Coal, Bambang Suswantono, detailed that the amount of PTFI's ore production in 2024 was approved at 63.16 million tons, in 2025 it was 77.52 million tons and in 2026 it was 79.12 million tons.

Thus, the total price of ore production approved for 3 years was 219.8 million tons.

"We have approved PT Freeport RKAB 2024-2026," Bambang said at a press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 16.

Meanwhile, regarding the permit to extend the export of the copper concentrate which ended in May this year, Bambang said that his party was still processing the request because outside of the RKAB, PTFI still had to re-submit.

Previously, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources issued Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 10 of 2023 regarding Work Plans and Budget (RKAB) and New Reporting replacing the regulations that previously regulated the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (Permen) Number 7 of 2022.

In addition to improving governance and efficiency in mineral or coal mining licensing services, the government considers it necessary to rearrange the concept of drafting, evaluation and approval of RKAB, considering that RKAB approval is the basis for IUP holders, IUPK holders, and IUPK holders as Continuation of Contract/Perjantary Operations to carry out Mining business activities.

In general, the main substance regulated in the Ministerial Regulation contains four main things, namely, time distribution of activities for RKAB, administrative sanctions, fulfillment of essential aspects in the preparation of RKAB and time management efficiency.