Energy Minister Says Freeport Seeks Extension of Export Permit

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has confirmed that PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has submitted an application for an extension of its copper concentrate export permit. The current permit is set to expire on December 31, 2024.

“Freeport has indeed submitted an application for a 2025 export permit. The ESDM Ministry is reviewing it with the Coordinating Ministry, as this matter needs inter-ministerial coordination,” Minister Bahlil stated at the BPH Migas Jakarta on January 7, 2025.

Bahlil further indicated a subsequent meeting with President Prabowo Subianto to discuss the continuation of the copper concentrate export relaxation for Freeport. “We will present the report to the President, and the ultimate decision will be made with consideration of the best interests of both Freeport and state-owned enterprises,” he emphasized.

Previously, Freeport had engaged in negotiations with the Indonesian government to secure an extension of its export permit until the first quarter of the following year. This request followed an incident involving the burning of a sulfuric acid unit at their newly inaugurated smelter in Gresik, East Java. The smelter, officially inaugurated by President Jokowi in September, has an annual production capacity of 480,000 metric tons of copper cathode.

“The incident involved the burning of the sulfuric acid unit. Although the damage may represent less than 10% of the overall smelter's scope, it is nonetheless an impactful event that hinders the continuation of other industrial processes.”

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