JAKARTA (Feb 14): Copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia has reduced its copper ore mining to 60% capacity due to rising stockpiles, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry senior official Tri Winarno said on Friday.

Indonesia has banned exports of unprocessed ores to encourage domestic processing and value-add. Freeport's new smelter is undergoing repairs following a fire in October, and it has requested an export permit extension for its copper concentrate in the interim.

"When their stockpile is full, surely they have to reduce ore production," Tri told reporters, adding that the period the mining activities had been reduced was unclear. Tri said there is no decision yet on Freeport's request and there are requirements that had to be met by the miner.

Freeport said it could not immediately comment.

On Thursday, Reuters reported that the company is expected to resume shipments of copper concentrate from Indonesia this month, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter.

The firm would start loading cargoes destined for China on Friday, in anticipation of receiving an export licence by month end, according to one source with direct knowledge of the matter.

"They cannot export while there is no export recommendation (from the mining ministry)," Tri said when asked about the potential shipment to China.

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