Indonesia is Top Market for Australia's Mine Tech
Indonesia remains a highly important
export market for Australia's mining and
mineral processing technology, according to Australian Trade Commission
executive director–South Asia, ASEAN
and the Pacific, David Twine. In fact,
Twine noted that a recent Australian
Bureau of Agricultural and Resource
Economics (ABARE) research project
rated Indonesia, by a significant margin,
as the most important export market for
Australia's mining, equipment and technology (METS) services companies.
Commenting on the strength of
Indonesia's mining industry, Twine said
mining is big business for Indonesia and
big business for Australian mining firms
in Indonesia. "We have seen massive
growth in the Indonesian mining sector—they have now overtaken Australia
in the export of thermal coal in volume
terms. Indonesia is also a major producer of gold, tin, copper and nickel. As the
Indonesian mining sector continues to
grow and develop, it is very important
for Australia to continue to play an
active role in the industry.
"On the regulatory side the Indonesian Mining Law has now been in
place for a couple of years. There were
some concerns about its impact initially, however Australian companies continue to operate very successfully in
Indonesia adding real value to the
Indonesian economy as well as local
communities. We certainly encourage
individual businesses to get legal advice
about their specific circumstances and
potential direct impact as the situation
varies from company to company,"
Twine said.
"Most of the major mining companies have significant plans for further
exploration and development of mining
in Indonesia. Newcrest has a US$1.5
billion gold/silver investment in Indonesia. Orica will bring on-line a US$550
million ammonium nitrate plant in East
Kalimantan in late 2011. Major Australian mining contractors like Leighton,
Laing O'Rourke and Thiess are also
undertaking a range of projects.
"There is a lot more to be done and
ongoing international demand for Indonesian minerals will ensure that
Australia remains an important partner
for these companies and the Indonesian
mining sector," Twine said.
As featured in Womp 2011 Vol 04 - www.womp-int.com