JAKARTA, March 6 (Reuters) - The Indonesian government

has issued a regulation allowing mineral companies to export

unprocessed ore in force majeure situations, the energy ministry

said on Thursday.

Indonesia banned exports of raw minerals in 2023 to

encourage metals processing at home, but has made some

exemptions, including to miner PT Freeport Indonesia, which was

granted a permit last year to export copper concentrate until

repairs at its Manyar smelter are completed.

Freeport has asked the government for a new export license after

its previous one lapsed at the end of last year.

Dadan Kusdiana, secretary general of the Energy and Mineral

Resources Ministry, said export permits are valid for six months

after the ministry issues a recommendation they be granted.

Dadan told Reuters Freeport Indonesia had yet to request a

new export license for copper concentrate. Freeport Indonesia

did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bloomberg Technoz had earlier on Thursday cited a deputy

energy minister as saying Freeport Indonesia would be allowed to

export copper concentrate until June 2025 following the issue of

the new regulation.