Jakarta mining policy shift sparks turmoil

Jakarta

A CONTROVERSIAL U-turn on mineral exports has sparked turmoil in Indonesia's key mining sector, providing a fresh headache for firms struggling to work in South-east Asia's biggest economy.

Despite sitting atop some of the world's most abundant natural resources, successive governments have failed to take advantage of Indonesia's vast riches, with critics blaming badly thought-out and nationalistic policies that make the country an uncertain place to invest.