Indonesia says mineral export resume after delays over rare-earth testing

Exports of Indonesian mineral products have resumed after delays linked to testing for rare-earth element contents, with shipments of alumina hydroxide and alumina oxide leaving from West Kalimantan, the President’s office said on Friday.

The alumina products were produced by PT Indonesia Chemical Alumina, Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said in a statement, and were among shipments that had been delayed by “differences in interpretation” of a policy regarding rare-earth elements contents in metal exports.

He reiterated that the export restrictions only applied to REE as a primary product, instead of content found as accompanying or by-product elements in other metals.

Dudung said around 100 vessels are gradually resuming operations to export nearly 400 000 tons of mineral commodities. Surveyor PT Sucofindo is currently conducting the verification for around 80 000 tons more of exports, he added.

Exports of metals including alumina, copper cathodes, and nickel derivatives have faced delays due to mandatory testing for rare-earth element content and uncertainty about how much rare-earth content in other products is allowed to be exported.

On Monday, Dudung had announced a “transitional guideline” for metals exports that would allow surveyors to process and issue export documents while the government prepares new regulations.