RI mining industry players upbeat on Q3 outlook

By Bambang Atmaja

Indonesian miners are quite optimistic with the industry?s outlook in the third quarter of this year, according to the latest industry sentiment index made by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

BPS Head Suryamin said late last week that the mining sector business tendency index for the third quarter was 103.66, higher than 100.13 for the second quarter.

An index of more than 100 means the industry players are optimistic about the prospect, while an index of lower than 100 means the prospect is negative.

The results of the BPS survey come amid tough challenges faced by miners particularly in the wake of falling prices of commodities, and unfavorable government policies which include requiring miners to process ores at home before export.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak