Media Release

18 February 2008

OZMINE 2008:
Australian Mining Exhibition & Conference
19-20 February 2008, Shangri-La Hotel

Local industry will have an opportunity to review the latest technology and product developments from Australia’s world-leading mining sector at this week’s Australian Mining Exhibition and Conference - OZMINE 2008.

The event, to be opened on 19 February by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Australian Ambassador Bill Farmer, will also be the first opportunity for senior industry figures and officials to come together to discuss the latest reiteration of Indonesia’s new mining laws.

As well as the two-day exhibition, featuring 50 of Australia’s major mining companies, participants at OZMINE will be able to participate in a seminar on 19 February looking at the likely impact of the mining law.

The seminar will include discussions on the mining law and decentralisation, including fiscal and land issues, and the respective roles of companies and government in environmental and social responsibility.

Minister Purnomo will cover the impact of the new mining regulations in his keynote speech, entitled “Today’s Mining Regulations for Tomorrow”.

Ambassador Farmer said the large number of leading Australian companies attending OZMINE showed the strong, renewed interest from corporate Australia in Indonesia’s economy and the mutual importance of the mining sector to both economies.

“Our mining relationship with Indonesia is about more than just selling products,” Farmer said. “Australian companies have delivered real benefits for the development of the mining sector in Indonesia, and have the potential to do much more, including in areas such as environmental sustainability.”

Farmer said Australia was one of the world’s largest mining countries and had “an enviable track record of innovation”. This was due, in part, to the remote and often inhospitable locations of mining operations in Australia.

“Out of ingenuity and necessity, Australian companies have developed the mining technology needed to cope with the toughest of conditions,” Farmer said. “This makes them excellent partners for Indonesian mining operations, which in many cases are also located in remote parts of the archipelago.”

Australia’s Senior Trade Commissioner, Rod Morehouse, described Australia as a “world leader” in a number of areas, including environmentally sustainable mining and mine site rehabilitation, mine planning and development, geological services, mine equipment, and servicing and maintenance. He said more than 60 per cent of the world’s mining operations now used Australian software.

“The Australian mining industry is also open and highly competitive, with more than half of Australia’s mining companies doing international business, including several in Indonesia.”

OZMINE 2008 is sponsored by Theiss Indonesia, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Leighton Contractors and Orica Mining Services. The seminar schedule for OZMINE can be viewed at www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au.

The exhibition and associated conference has received support from the Indonesian Mining Association, the Association of Indonesian Mining Professionals and the Indonesian Geologist Association.

Australian mining exports rose by 16 per cent in 2006-07 to A$90.8 billion.

The total stock of Australian investment in Indonesia reached A$3.1 billion in 2006, with Indonesian investment in Australia at A$487 million. An estimated 400 Australian companies are represented in Indonesia across a range of sectors, including mining, construction, banking and finance, food and beverage, and transport.

Trade between Australia and Indonesia has grown steadily in recent years, with annual two-way trade worth about A$10.4 billion in FY2006-07.

Indonesia currently enjoys a merchandise trade surplus with Australia of A$135 million, with major exports to Australia including crude petroleum, non-monetary gold, travel services, paper and paper products, and simply-worked wood.

Indonesia’s major imports from Australia include wheat, crude petroleum, travel services, aluminium, live animals and cotton.

For more information please contact:
John Williams (Counsellor, Public Affairs), ph 2550 5290, mob 0812 105 3989