Indonesia has resumed exports of minerals that may contain rare earths as byproducts, the president’s office said on Monday, amid uncertainty about a ban on shipments of rare earth elements.
Exports of minerals including bauxite, alumina, copper cathodes, and nickel derivatives have faced delays due to a mandatory testing program for rare earth element contents.
“Exporting rare earth elements as a primary product is indeed prohibited. It does not automatically apply to REE content found as accompanying or byproduct elements in primary and derivative mining products,” presidential chief of staff Dudung Abdurachman said in a press conference.
The announcement is “a transitional guideline” for exporters, surveyors, and customs and excise authorities, Dudung said.
Indonesia is a major exporter of minerals, yet its rare earth production remains limited, occurring mainly as a byproduct. The government had not previously specified how much rare earth material may be present in shipments of other minerals.
Dudung said PT Sucofindo, which carries out the mandatory testing program, will soon issue 85 surveyor reports that were delayed after they indicated rare earth elements.
Last week, nickel industry group FINI said businesses are waiting for around 120 surveyor reports to be issued.
“Previously there were just over a hundred ships that were delayed. But they are now able to sail,” Dudung said.
The delayed surveyor reports mainly belong to companies which export alumina, copper cathode, and nickel-derived commodities, he said.
Dudung also said that exports of mining products which contain radioactive elements may be allowed as long as the content “is classified as naturally occurring radioactive material” and fulfilled safety testing and requirements according to regulations.
The government will meet with stakeholders on Monday to discuss the concentration limits for each element, laboratory testing methods, verification mechanisms and guidelines for issuing surveyor reports, he said.
(By Stefanno Sulaiman and Ananda Teresia; Editing by John Mair)
