TORONTO (Feb 3): Freeport-McMoRan Inc, the world's biggest public-listed copper miner, said on Friday it will need to cut staff and development spending in Indonesia if the government continues to delay export approval of its copper concentrates.

The Phoenix, Arizona-based miner said it had the right to export copper concentrate without restriction or export duties under its current contract, and was considering alternatives to enforce its contractual rights.

Freeport said it was still working with the government to resolve the issue. Exports of its copper concentrate have been halted since Jan 12 when a ban on shipping semi-processed ore out of the Southeast Asian country came into effect to boost the local smelter industry.

For every month that it awaits export approval, Freeport said its share of production was reduced by about 70 million pounds of copper and 70,000 ounces of gold.

If the delay in export approval continues, Freeport said it would need to make "near term" production cuts to match capacity at its smelter, which processes about 40% of its concentrate production.

The company said it would also need to "significantly adjust its cost structure," reduce staffing, investments on underground development projects and a new smelter, and spending with suppliers.