Jakarta, Aug. 25 -- Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the management of rare earth elements will be placed under the full state control following the establishment of the Mineral Industry Agency, a new agency to oversee strategic minerals.

Thus, private companies or the public would no longer be permitted to handle the rare earth resources, he told journalists at the State Palace here on Monday.

"From now on, rare earths will be managed only by the state. We are still finalizing the rules, so please wait for the official regulations," Bahlil said.

This Mineral Industry Agency will focus on research and industrial development to boost value-added processing of minerals, including rare earths, which are critical...