BKPM Confirms Ban on Raw Mineral Exports Remains in Place

BKPM Confirms Ban on Raw Mineral Exports Remains in Place

The Ministry of Investment/Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has affirmed that the ban on exports of critical raw minerals remains in place. This confirmation comes following the signing of a reciprocal trade agreement on Thursday, February 19th.

Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstream Industrialisation/BKPM, Todotua Pasaribu, explained that the trade agreement, which grants US companies access to Indonesia’s critical mineral sector, will not relax export regulations. Similar access applies to all countries, provided they invest in Indonesia.

“Essentially, the US request to grant American companies access to our mineral sectors, including rare earths, is not a problem. And everything we do, perhaps all countries do the same, as long as it is done under the rule that if they want to enter, they must invest,” Todotua told reporters at the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industrialisation/BKPM office on Thursday, February 26th, 2026.

Todotua added that the trade agreement with the US will not open the door to exports of raw minerals. This export ban is regulated by law.

“Our country, by law, does not allow our raw materials to be exported because there is a process, downstream processing, investment, they can enter. It is just normal business to business,” he added.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that Indonesia is open to cooperating with the US in managing the critical mineral sector.

“Our critical minerals, as we have mentioned, relate to industrial minerals, meaning there is a secondary process, and Indonesia is open to investment and technology cooperation in both critical minerals and rare earths,” said Airlangga in a press conference regarding the signing of the Indonesia-United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement on Friday, February 20th, 2026.