Australian team in expo

Australian team in expo

SYDNEY (AFP): Australia is sending its biggest ever team of mining suppliers to an international exhibition in Jakarta this month as part of its push for a bigger share of South-East Asia's mining services market, officials said yesterday.

More than 70 firms providing products and services to the miners will be represented at the four-day International Mining Indonesia Exhibition from Nov. 22, Australian Trade Commission mining manager Geoff Spears told reporters here.

The Austrade-organized stand will target visitors from South- East Asia, China and India, as well as Indonesian industry and government buyers attending the exhibition.

"Potentially, there are billions of dollars at stake among projects being considered by visitors to the exhibition," Spears said.

India alone plans to spend A$1.9 billion (US$1.5 billion) on rehabilitating mines throughout the country, while China has announced plans to develop 16 new mines in the medium term, Spears said.