Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia announced that the government has granted PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) an extension to export copper concentrate, following the expiration of its previous permit on December 31, 2024.
The decision is outlined in Ministerial Regulation No. 6 of 2025, which amends Ministerial Regulation No. 6 of 2024 regarding the completion of domestic metal mineral refining facilities.
This regulation primarily applies to PTFI, whose copper concentrate exports have been halted since December 31, 2025, due to a fire at its processing and refining (smelter) facility.
Freeport Fire Incident
Previously, Bahlil cited force majeure conditions at Freeport’s sulfuric acid plant in Gresik, East Java, as a key factor in the government’s decision to grant the export relaxation.
“The Freeport smelter fire was not intentional. After investigations by both the police and insurance companies, it was confirmed as an accidental incident. As a result, insurance claims have been paid,” he said on Friday, February 21, 2025.
Under Article 2A of the new regulation, companies are permitted to sell processed mineral products abroad under specific conditions and timeframes in the event of force majeure.
“Following a limited cabinet meeting, the government decided to extend Freeport export permit until the damaged facility is fully repaired,” Bahlil stated.
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Freeport Export Relaxation
The government has approved a six-month export relaxation for Freeport, allowing it to export approximately one million metric tons of copper concentrate.
“Freeport export quota is estimated to be around one million tons, possibly slightly more. We will assess the situation over the next six months,” Bahlil told reporters at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jakarta on Friday, March 7, 2025, as reported by DetikFinance.
Additionally, the government will conduct quarterly evaluations on the progress of repairs at Freeport’s sulfuric acid plant in Gresik. “We will review developments every three months to monitor the restoration work on the affected plant,” Bahlil added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung confirmed that the government intends to grant Freeport a six-month export permit from the date of approval by the Ministry of Trade.
“If the implementation starts in March, then the export permit will be valid for six months until September. By the end of September, all exports must be completed,” Yuliot stated.
(Raidi/Agung)
