New Rare Earth Metal Export Rules: Provisions Businesses Must Comply With
The government has clarified regulations regarding the export of Rare Earth Metals (LTJ), emphasising that the export ban only applies to LTJ as a primary product. Meanwhile, mining products containing LTJ as associated elements are still permitted for export, provided they comply with the prevailing provisions.
This policy is the result of cross-ministerial and institutional coordination after several exporting companies experienced delays in the export process due to checks on LTJ content in commodities shipped abroad.
Chief of the Presidential Staff Dudung Abdurachman explained that the government has agreed on the scope of the export ban to prevent differing interpretations in the field and to avoid hindering export activities that have complied with the rules.
“The LTJ export ban provision is applied to LTJ as the main product. So, if the export of LTJ is as the main product, it is prohibited. It does not automatically apply to LTJ content found as an associated element in primary mining products and their derivatives,” said Dudung during a press conference at the Bina Graha Building, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday (3/8/2026).
Types of Rare Earth Metal Export Provisions
Based on the results of the coordination meeting, several provisions serve as a reference in the governance of mineral exports containing Rare Earth Metals.
- The ban only applies to LTJ as a primary product
The government has confirmed that the export of Rare Earth Metals is prohibited if the LTJ is the main commodity being traded. This means the provision does not automatically apply to all mining products containing LTJ if the element is merely an associated mineral.
- Products containing LTJ as associated elements are still allowed for export
Mining commodities containing LTJ as associated elements may still be exported. This provision applies to various primary mining products and their derivatives, as long as LTJ is not the main product being exported. The majority of surveyor reports that were previously delayed came from companies exporting alumina, copper cathodes, and various nickel derivative products.
Government Provides Certainty on Surveyor Report Issuance
As a follow-up to the coordination results, the government has also provided certainty for PT Sucofindo to issue 85 surveyor reports that had previously been delayed.