Indonesia's trade ministry said on Thursday miners Vale Indonesia and state-owned PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) were among the first group of firms allowed to export processed mineral ore and refined metal under a new mining law.

Bachirul Chairi, director general of foreign trade, said PT Indoferro and PT Global Multi Tambang were also included in a list of nine companies.

Around $500 million worth of monthly metal ore and concentrate exports have ground to a halt in Indonesia due to confusion surrounding the implementation of the Jan. 12 mining law, which includes a mineral ore export ban and a progressive tax on concentrate shipments.

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