Indonesia’s Presidential Office has called on government agencies, law enforcement authorities and businesses to coordinate in resolving legal issues that are delaying mineral exports. Some alumina and nickel product shipments have been affected due to rare earth content.

Indonesia is a major mineral exporter, but it currently lacks clear regulations on the permitted level of rare earth content in shipments of other minerals. The absence of specific guidance has created difficulties for some companies during the export process.

Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said he had received reports from several companies about disruptions to mineral exports. He stressed that authorities should not block exports when there are no clear regulations on rare earths as by-products.

It was understood that alumina exports, a key material used in aluminum smelting, have been affected. In addition, some shipments of nickel pig iron, a material used in stainless steel production, and mixed hydroxide precipitate, a material used in electric vehicle batteries, have also faced delays.