Freeport Indonesia says has export permit for 1.27 million tons of copper concentrate

JAKARTA, March 18 (Reuters) - Freeport Indonesia has obtained a permit to export 1.27 million metric tons of copper concentrate, its spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The Indonesian government had said on Monday it would issue Freeport a six-month export permit while a damaged smelter is repaired, which would also ensure that the state continued to receive royalty payments.

"We have received an export permit from the Trade Ministry for 1.27 million metric tons," said spokesperson Katri Krisnati.

Freeport sought the permit after it was forced to stop copper cathode production at its new smelter in Gresik , in East Java province, after a fire damaged the plant last October .

The company has not exported copper concentrate since its previous permit expired at the end of 2024.