The conference brought together key industry players, producers, investors, solution providers, Government officials, mining associations, community representatives, consultancies, mining students and others to work through the challenges and opportunities the mining industry faces in Sumatra and further afield. It also looked at plans to provide more infrastructure in Sumatra to benefit the industry and the region’s economy.

The sponsors were G-Resources Martabe Gold Mine, Sumatra Copper & Gold, reswara, RoadTech and NAUE while the conference was organised by Mining Media International, publishers of The ASIA Miner and hosts of Coal Club Indonesia and Djakarta Mining Club.

There were 22 speakers from international, domestic and local companies along with regional and national government bodies. Among the topics covered were an overview of mining in Sumatra and current operations; exploration; government initiatives; improving productivity and efficiency; geosynthetics and potential liquefaction in mining; Indonesia’s power requirements; today’s market outlook including the challenges for the coal industry in Indonesia and globally; cost savings in challenging situations; and the challenges and opportunities for mining in Indonesia.

The speakers included PT Sanaman Coal chief operating officer Ben Lawson, who is also vice chairman of Coal Club Indonesia and the Djakarta Mining Club; PT Agincourt Resources president director Tim Duffy; PT MNC Energy and Resources operational director Humala Oloan; PT Danmar Explorindo managing director Daniel Madre; PT Servita Beningdo’s TA business development Brian Brock and marketing and technical specialist drills Tony Ward; PT Road Technology Indonesia managing director Mark Harakal; and Sumatra Copper & Gold managing director David Fowler.

Other speakers included NAUE Asia Sdn Bhd country manager Indonesia Doyo Lujeng Dwiarso; PT AEL Mining Services Indonesia senior technical services engineer Rudianto Sitanggang; PT KSB Indonesia general manager mining Ruddy Pangalila; SatNetCom director Dean Reardon; Royal Haskoning DHV director mining South Africa Greg Henshall; Britmindo director Stephen Nye; FELUWA director South East Asia Gerald Tychtl; SIGNTEGRA president director Wilham Louhenapessy; Armila Law Offices lawyer Eva Armila Djauhari; PT SMG Consultants principal mining engineer David Wyllie; and APBI executive director Supriatna Suhala.

Government speakers included Mining and Development Energy Agency of South Sumatra head of Mining and Energy Izromaita; Ministry of National Development Planning director of Energy and Mineral Josaphat Rizal Primana; Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) director for Investment Planning of Agribusiness and Other Natural Resources Hanung Harimba Rachman.

A number of participants passed on positive feedback from the event. PT Servita Beningdo’s Tony Ward said, “A valuable platform for networking and gaining insights into the mining industry, especially in Sumatra.” Royal Haskoning Indonesia’s Pramono Saleh said, “This conference can help participants to better understand the current mining conditions and subsequently how they should take steps to improve business.”

PT Bimatekno Karyatama Konsultan’s James Coup said, “More than met my expectations, the people attending were a good mix and the size of the group made discussion easier.” PT SMG Consultants’ David Wyllie said, “It was a great opportunity for networking and getting an update on the industry from a number of different perspectives.” SIGNTEGRA’s Wilham Louhenapessy said, “Very good for networking, friendship, fellowship and introduction of companies involved in the mining industry, especially in the Sumatra area. Brilliant!”

The next edition of Sumatra Miner will be on March 22 and 23, 2017, in South Sumatra.