Kotabaru Ask Allow Export of Iron Sinter

By Imam Hanafi

Kotabaru , South Kalimantan ( Antaranews ) - The Kotabaru Government ask Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs gave PT Sebuku Iron Lateritic Ores (SILO) permission to export iron sinter. It is related to the enactment of Law No. 4/2009 on Mineral and Coal.

Head of Kotabaru Mines and Energy Mining Agency, M Zen here on Tuesday said, Regent H Irhami Ridjani already sent a letter of request to support the export of iron sinter to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.

"The petition is accompanied by some of the considerations related to the enactment of Law No. 4/2009 on Mineral and Coal on January 12, 2014, which prohibits the export in the form of minerals (non- processed )," he said.

According to Zen, Kotabaru government assess PT SILO very seriously addressing the Law No.4/2009 with plans to build a processing plant and refinery (Smelter) in Sebuku Island, Kotabaru. However, the plant has not been completed and the company is very serious to get it over. 

In contrast, Zen continued, with other large companies and has been conducting activities to tens of years but the fact they were not yet building a smelter.

With good intentions and efforts of PT SILO, he added, the central government is expected to be willing to consider a request for local governments and companies. Request support export of sintered iron is contained in the letter of Regents Kotabaru No.545/1102-BP/DPE December 11, 2013.

Previously, Director of Operations of PT SILO Henry Yulianto said, exports of iron ore origin Kotabaru district 

by his company threatened to be stopped, because of a policy that prohibits the export of mining products starting 

January 2014.

The prohibition of the export of the mineral material when take effect, then SILO has to stop export of iron ore 

by mid-January. Then there will be layoffs of employees.

Henry really hope, the government could postpone the implementation of Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal, because SILO not ready for purification of mineral grains due to several factors.