Indonesia Resumes Mineral Exports After Rare-Earth Testing Delays

Indonesia has resumed exports of mineral products after delays caused by testing for rare-earth element (REE) content, according to the president's office. The first shipments, alumina hydroxide and alumina oxide produced by PT Indonesia Chemical Alumina, have left West Kalimantan.

Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said the delays stemmed from "differences in interpretation" of a policy on REE content in metal exports. He reiterated that export restrictions apply only to REE as a primary product, not to REE found as accompanying or by-product elements in other metals.

Around 100 vessels are gradually resuming operations to export nearly 400,000 metric tons of mineral commodities. Surveyor PT Sucofindo is currently verifying an additional 80,000 metric tons for export.

Exports of metals including alumina, copper cathodes, and nickel derivatives had faced delays due to mandatory testing for REE content and uncertainty over allowable REE levels in other products. On Monday, Dudung announced a "transitional guideline" allowing surveyors to process export documents while new regulations are prepared.