Amman Mineral Smelter Stops Operation Since July Due To Kahar, Waits For Export Recommendations From ESDM

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk. (AMMN) confirmed that there was a technical incident that caused the copper cathode smelter facility belonging to its subsidiary, PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT), to stop operating since July 2025.

In an information disclosure on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), management revealed that the temporary suspension of production activities was carried out due to the force majeure that hit two important units in the purification process.

"The commissioning process for smelter facilities is facing a state of chaos caused by damage to Flash Converting Furnace (FCF) and Sulfuric Acid Plant units," said AMMN President Director Arief Widyawan Sidarto, Tuesday, October 28.

Arief explained, according to the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Number 6 of 2025, special mining business license holders (IUPK) for the production operation stage who have built purification facilities are allowed to export concentrate under certain conditions, including when a situation occurs.

The policy allows the company to sell some of its production abroad in a limited number and period, pending the restoration of domestic purification facilities.

"Until the date of this letter, the company is still waiting for the issuance of export recommendations by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, which is a prerequisite for obtaining export approval from the Minister of Trade," said Arief.

He added that the process of submitting export recommendations was in the evaluation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources led by Bahlil Lahadalia.

The results of the evaluation will determine whether the company obtains a temporary permit to export copper concentrate.

Sebagai informasi, surat rekomendasi dari Menteri ESDM menjadi syarat utama sebelum izin ekspor diterbitkan oleh Kementerian Perdagangan.

Evaluasi dilakukan untuk memastikan kepatuhan terhadap progres pembangunan smelter, tingkat kesiapan operasional, dan pemenuhan kewajiban perusahaan terhadap negara.

AMMN belum memberikan informasi mengenai estimasi waktu perbaikan fasilitas smelter maupun potensi dampaknya terhadap volume produksi dan pendapatan perusahaan pada semester II/2025.

For information, a letter of recommendation from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources is the main requirement before the export permit is issued by the Ministry of Trade.

Evaluation is carried out to ensure compliance with the progress of smelter development, level of operational readiness, and fulfillment of the company's obligations to the state.

AMMN has not provided information regarding the estimated time of improving smelter facilities or the potential impact on the company's production volume and revenue in the second semester of 2025.