There has been plenty said about the push by Indonesia to gain more revenue from its mining industry – a push that has been costly for many in the industry as well as for mining investment. There is no doubt the resource nationalism quest has set the industry back, but it must be remembered that Indonesia is not alone in this regard.
IF the mining industry is to take full benefit of the cyclical upswing, along with future highs and lows, innovation is the key. Rather than just talking the talk about technology, industry players must get serious about implementing it and walk the walk, otherwise they run the risk of being left behind.
It may sound like a cracked record, but the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Indonesia’s mining industry is not doing anyone any favours and, is putting further development of mineral resources at risk. There are still some successful mining ventures as evidenced in the pages of this edition, but operators are demonstrating tremendous perseverance as mining policy changes mean that they constantly have to alter tack mid-stream.
Mining’s transformation in 2016 has been astonishing – although we are not quite out of the woods just yet and it will take time for the improved conditions to filter down the mining chain. After starting the year at the lowest of ebbs and with little sign of hope, a series of subsequent circumstances has seen optimism and fortunes turnaround.