Earlier this year, the government decided to relax the export ban for low-grade nickel with content less than 1.7 percent, along with copper concentrates and washed bauxite, in return for a commitment from mining companies to meet several requirements, including the development of new smelters within five years.

On March 2, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry issued the technical guide for processing export permits.

“We’ve been learning how to get the export permit. Hopefully, we can submit the proposal by early April and obtain it within three weeks,” Antam marketing director Hari Widjajanto told The Jakarta Post recently.

Through the relaxation of the ban, Antam will be able to reestablish its relations with its long-time traditional partner, Japan.

“Japan has been our historic buyer since the 1960s. They have helped us a lot ever since and we’ve maintained good communications with them,” Hari said.

(Read also: Antam upbeat about business following relaxation policy)

Hence, Antam is optimistic it can get back on its feet this year following poor financial performance caused by a drop in nickel prices, as well as by the presence of many nickel smelters in recent years.

Last year, Antam booked Rp 9.11 trillion (US$681.1 million) in net sales, a 13.5 percent drop from Rp 10.5 trillion in 2015. (bbn)

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