Indonesia Resumes Mineral Exports, Clarifies Rare Earth Ban Only Applies to Primary Products

Published: Aug 4, 2026 14:49

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[SMM Rare Earth Flash] The Indonesian Presidential Office stated that exports of mineral products potentially containing associated rare earth elements have been resumed, and clarified that the rare earth export ban applies only to rare earths exported as primary products, not to associated rare earths in mineral products such as bauxite, alumina, copper cathode, and nickel derivatives. Indonesian Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said that the policy serves as a transitional guideline for exporters, inspection agencies, and customs authorities, and will ease export delays previously caused by mandatory rare earth detection. PT Sucofindo, responsible for the detection, will gradually release 85 previously delayed inspection reports involving exports of alumina, copper cathode, and nickel derivatives, which is expected to prompt the resumption of shipments for over a hundred stranded vessels. The Indonesian government will further establish limits for associated rare earth content, detection standards, and inspection procedures.

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