[www.ferro-alloys.com] A few days ago, Sudirman, the minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Department in Indonesia, claimed that the government would relax its regulations on concentrate export but maintain the original ore ban.

In order to push the companies in Indonesia to process and smelt crude ore and produce high-added products locally, Indonesian government has carried out a ban since Jan. 12, 2014.

In the statement, Sudirman noted that the government would revise the mining act and discuss with the parliament soon. We have to come down to earth and make sure a stable investment atmosphere domestically although it’s uncertain whether smelting plants’ construction can beat the expect or not.

Since 2015, commodity market has suffered from global economy weakness, China’s growth slow down and stronger greenback as metals suffered most. Copper and zinc stumbled a quarter and nickel plunged 42 percent in price in London Metal Exchange through the year long.

The nickel collapse in 2015 dragged down the schedules, as Alexander Barus said, the Tsingshan Executive in Indonesia. If nickel price maintain did not make a difference, new projects would be lay up, he added.

• [Editor:Juan]