Top Canadian official, Purnomo discuss mining laws

Canadian deputy secretary of state David Kilgour views that Indonesia will remain attractive to Canadian mining investors if Indonesia can guarantee effectiveness of its legal systems, according to an Indonesian well-placed official.

Kilgour, who is in charge of Asia and the Pacific, met on Friday with Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro. Kilgour was in an official visit to Indonesia.

In their meeting, Kilgour asked Purnomo to brief him about Indonesia?s mining, oil and gas laws and forestry laws, and regional autonomy laws, said coordinator of the ministry?s expert staff, Suyantoro.

?The Canadian official said Indonesia is still an attractive place for Canadian mining investors. But he put questions about the legal aspects of doing business in our country,? Suyantoro told reporters.

Canada has a strong presence in Indonesia?s mining sector, notably in general mining.

Nickel miner International Nickel Indonesia (INCO) was among some overseas companies which entered the Indonesian mining industry immediately after the country modernized its industrial systems in 1967. INCO operates a huge nickel mine and smelter in Soroako, South Sulawesi. (godang)