President Jokowi to Announce Copper Ore Export Ban

President Jokowi delivers his keynote speech at the 2023 Mandiri Investment Forum at the Fairmont Hotel’s Ballroom in Jakarta, Wednesday (02/01) (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Oji)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (02/01) said that the Government will immediately announce the policy on raw copper export ban.

“Nickel ore export has been banned. As I said earlier on the last December, bauxite ore export will be banned on June [2023]. Then, I will immediately declare copper ore export ban. This year, it will be stopped,” President Jokowi said while delivering his keynote speech at the 2023 Mandiri Investment Forum at Fairmont Hotel’s Ballroom in Jakarta.

According to the President, the policy is in line with the progress of smelters construction in East Java province and West Nusa Tenggara province which has exceeded 50 percent.

“I have checked on the ground that the construction progress of [gold and copper miner] PT Freeport’s smelter [in East Java province] and smelter in West Nusa Tenggara has exceeded 50 percent. The development progress of PT Freeport’s smelter has reached 51 percent. To that end, we are courageous to stop [the export],” President Jokowi added.

On that occasion, the President emphasized that Indonesia is now PT Freeport’s majority shareholder.

“All of you have to remember that Indonesia is PT Freeport’s majority shareholder. You must no longer think PT Freeport is owned by the United States. We have become the majority owner of the company,” President Jokowi said.

The Head of State further also said that Indonesia will continue to carry on the downstreaming industry even though the Government will face lawsuits filed by other countries, while underscoring that downstream policy will make Indonesia have a great leap to be a developed country.

Furthermore, President Jokowi expressed his hope that consistency in imposing the downstream policy will increase Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita income.

“It is our hope that in 2045, Indonesia’s GDP will reach US$ 9-11 billion, while Indonesia’s per capita income will be at US$ 21,000-29,000. We will be a developed country,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (AP/RAS/LW)