Indonesia considers export tax on raw minerals

Indonesia is considering an export tax for raw minerals such as nickel, copper and iron ore before the planned ban of all the shipments of these materials in 2014, according to recent media reports.
 
The industry ministry of Indonesia has stated that "a tax would encourage domestic processing of the metals", but did not reveal when the tax will be imposed.
 
Tax rates, which would start being imposed at relatively lower levels, would be tightened towards 2014 to prevent large scale shipments. The ministry expects the export ban to attract investors to build smelting and processing plants in Indonesia.