Indonesia says no decision yet on early start to mineral ore export ban

Indonesia is discussing bringing forward a ban on mineral ore exports that was previously set to begin in 2022, but no decision has yet been made on such a move, its trade minister said today.

Indonesia's trade minister, Enggartiasto Lukita, also said today that President Joko Widodo had asked for input from his ministers on the step.

Current mining regulations allow exports of unprocessed mineral ore until January 2022, with an Indonesian industry association on Thursday urging the government to stick to that timetable.

Asked whether there had been a decision to bring forward the ban on ore exports, Lukita said: "Not yet. The president has asked for input from ministers and will consider many things."

The ban is about pushing domestic industries to process more mineral ores locally, he said.

Indonesia currently has 13 operating nickel smelters with input capacity of 24.52 million tonnes, government data showed, with 22 more nickel smelters currently under development.Asian Metal Copyright" The ban is about pushing domestic industries to process more mineral ores locally, he said.Asian Metal Copyright Incoming smelters will add 46.Asian Metal Copyright Asked whether there had been a decision to bring forward the ban on ore exports, Lukita said: "Not yet.Asian Metal Copyright33 million tonnes input capacity to the smelting industry.

.Asian Metal Copyright The president has asked for input from ministers and will consider many thingsAsian Metal Copyright