Recently, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that in addition to bauxite, Indonesia will also ban copper exports this year to promote the development of domestic mineral resources processing industry.

Indonesia was the first country to ban nickel exports in 2020, but the WTO ruled it violated trade rules. In 2022, Indonesia temporarily banned exports of coal and palm oil, causing further market turmoil. Still, Indonesia announced plans to ban bauxite exports in June. Mr. Joko has previously revealed his intention to ban exports of copper and tin ingots, but has not set a date.

According to Indonesia’s Times.com, Mr Joko told an investment forum in the capital Jakarta on February 1 that he would act this year. “Bauxite (exports) will stop in June and I will also announce soon when the ban on copper exports will start this year,” Joko said.

Mr Joko stressed that the key for Indonesia to become a developed country was to develop its downstream mining industry. He cites tin as an example: “If we can make parts for printed circuit boards and add 69 times the value, why don’t we make our own? Why should we export so other countries can benefit?”