PT Freeport Indonesia operations status update

Richard C. Adkerson, FCX President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chappy Hakim, PT-FI President Director, said: “We have been actively engaged with Indonesian governmental authorities to enable full operations at PT-FI to continue without disruption. This would be in the best interests of all stakeholders, including the Government of Indonesia, our large work force, the local community, local suppliers and Freeport’s shareholders. We are disappointed that this matter remains unresolved and are concerned about the negative impacts for all stakeholders, especially for our workforce and the local economy. We encourage the Government to enable our full operations to continue without disruption and to provide the required assurances to support our long-term investment programs so these negative impacts can be avoided.”

As previously reported, the Indonesian government issued new regulations in January 2017 to address exports of unrefined metals, including copper concentrates and anode slimes, and other matters related to the mining sector. The new regulations permit the continuation of copper concentrate exports for a five year period through January 2022, subject to various conditions, including conversion from a contract of work to a special operating license (an IUPK), commitment to completion of smelter construction in five years and payment of export duties to be determined by the Ministry of Finance. In addition, the new regulations enable application for extension of operating rights five years before expiration of the IUPK and require foreign IUPK holders to divest 51% to Indonesian interests no later than the tenth year of production. Export licenses would be valid for one-year periods, subject to review every six months, depending on smelter construction progress.

The January 2017 regulations permit the export of anode slimes, which is necessary for PT Smelting to continue operating. PT Smelting is seeking to renew its anode slimes export license. Delays in obtaining this license could further impact PT-FI’s operations in a significantly negative fashion.

Following the issuance of the January 2017 regulations and discussions with the Government, PT-FI advised the Indonesian Government that it was prepared to convert its COW to an IUPK, subject to obtaining an investment stability agreement providing equivalent rights with the same level of legal and fiscal certainty enumerated under its COW. This is consistent with a letter to PT-FI dated October 7, 2015, in which the Government warranted that, following the issuances of new regulations, it would promptly grant an extension of PT-FI’s contract with the same rights and same level of legal and fiscal certainty contained in the COW.

In addition, PT-FI advised the Government that it is committed to commence construction of a new smelter following approval of the extension of its long-term operating rights. PT-FI requested that concentrate exports be permitted without the imposition of a duty while the new license and stability agreement are negotiated. The COW would remain in effect until it is replaced by a mutually satisfactory alternative.

To date, the Government has not granted continuation of exports. The Government has indicated that in order to export its concentrate production, PT-FI would be required to immediately convert to an IUPK, forgo its current rights to fiscal and legal certainty and commit to a new smelter prior to completing a long-term investment stability agreement. PT-FI has advised the Government that it cannot accept these conditions unless a mutually satisfactory replacement agreement is completed.

A continuing delay in obtaining rights to export its copper concentrates will require PT-FI to undertake near-term actions to reduce production to match available domestic capacity at PT Smelting, which processes approximately 40% of PT-FI’s concentrate production. Under the reduced operating plans, PT-FI will be required to significantly adjust its cost structure, reduce its work force and spending with local suppliers, and suspend investments on its underground development projects and new smelter. For each month of delay in obtaining approval to export, PT-FI’s share of production is projected to be reduced by approximately 70 million lbs of copper and 70 000 ounces of gold.

Under its COW, PT-FI has specified rights to export copper concentrate without restriction or payment of export duties. PT-FI is considering alternatives to enforce its contractual rights while it continues to work in good faith to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement with the Indonesian Government.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/dry-bulk/14022017/pt-freeport-indonesia-operations-status-update/