Amman Mineral Extends Concentrate Exports in Line with Smelter Project Commitments
21 Sep 2025, 07:33 AM
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The planned relaxation of export rules for copper concentrate and copper cathodes for PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT), a subsidiary of PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk (AMMN), appears likely to materialize soon. The evaluation is currently being conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).In May 2025, PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk (AMMN) submitted a formal request to the government to extend its export permits for copper concentrate and cathodes. The request was made because commissioning of the company’s smelting facilities has not yet reached full operational status. The previous export permits expired on December 31, 2024.Information received by KONTAN indicates that on Friday (September 19) the ESDM Ministry and Amman Mineral held a meeting to evaluate approval for concentrate exports.Unfortunately, KONTAN has not yet obtained details on the export quota or duration that may be granted to Amman Mineral. The green light for an extension is understood to be tied to the fact that Amman Mineral’s smelter is nearing completion and requires funding to finish the project. “Exports will be extended,” a KONTAN source said briefly on Friday (September 19).As is known, Amman Mineral’s smelter project has an input capacity of 900,000 metric tons of copper concentrate, yielding 220,000 metric tons of LME Grade A copper cathodes with 99.99% purity, around 830,000 metric tons of sulfuric acid at 98.50% purity, and 77 metric tons of selenium at 95.00% purity.The project carries an investment value of up to IDR 21 trillion and employs 37,000 workers. Hendra Sinadia, Executive Director of the Indonesian Mining Association (IMA), said the organization encourages the government to promptly grant export extensions to Amman Mineral and Freeport Indonesia.“Yes, the government should consider allowing concentrate export relaxation for both companies, which have demonstrated their commitment to fulfilling the obligation to increase mineral value-add through domestic refining as mandated by Law No. 4 of 2009,” he told KONTAN on Sunday (September 21).Hendra said the relaxation is warranted due to delays in smelter project execution stemming from complex commissioning processes and technologies that are new to the companies, which reasonably require more time.It is understood that the refining technology—in this case for copper concentrate—employs new processes, so mining companies naturally need time to implement them.“Therefore, relaxation should be considered. The state will not be disadvantaged, as royalties still apply amid favorable commodity prices for copper and especially gold. In addition, granting export relaxation allows companies to maximize their production capacity, which will benefit the national and regional economies,” he explained.Hendra cautioned that if no relaxation is granted, production capacity could be affected, ultimately forcing companies to undertake deeper efficiency measures that could impact employment.Meanwhile, Cecep Mochammad Yasin, Director of Mineral Business Development (PPM) at the ESDM Ministry, denied that Amman Mineral’s concentrate export approval had already been issued.He said the ministry is still evaluating the extension of Amman Mineral’s concentrate exports. “As for the timing, we cannot provide that information yet,” he told KONTAN on Friday (September 19).
