For example, exports of bauxite (an aluminum ore) declined to 2.1 million tons in 2014, significantly down from 55.6 million tons (with a combined value of USD $1.3 billion) in the preceding year, while bauxite smelter development has not progressed satisfactorily. Said Didu, Head of National Smelter Development at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, stated that Indonesia is in need of a breakthrough to boost domestic bauxite smelting capacity by 2017.