Indonesia issues new tax rules for miners

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s president has issued new tax regulations aimed at providing clarity for mining companies shifting their current contracts to special mining permits, in a move that could help cement a US$3.9 billion (RM15.9 billion) deal with Freeport McMoran Inc.

Freeport last month signed a heads of agreement to sell to the Indonesian government a majority stake in its local unit PT Freeport Indonesia, which operates the world’s second-biggest copper mine Grasberg.

Indonesia is seeking to gain more control over its mineral wealth, but the Arizona-based company has said it wants some guarantee on fiscal terms before signing off on the complex sale.

The new rules set a corporate tax rate of 25%, in line with the country’s current rate. Miners will also pay a 4% levy on net profit to central government and a 6% levy to local government.

These rates, along with other obligations including royalties and land taxes, will not change during the duration of the permit.

The regulation, made public yesterday, took effect from Aug 2 and was intended to “provide legal certainty” for holders of special mining permits, the president’s office said in a statement.

Under its current contract signed in 1991, Freeport Indonesia pays corporate tax at 35%, but no levies to central or local authorities.

Freeport Indonesia spokesman Riza Pratama said the company would review the new regulations. – Reuters