Jokowi gives foreign miners a glimmer of hope

When Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, president-elect of Indonesia, takes office  on October 20, foreign investors will be paying attention to one policy issue above all others.

The punitive taxes levied on miners’ mineral exports by the outgoing government have hit foreign groups hardest especially US firms Freeport-McMoRan and Newmont Mining leading to pit closures, the threat of massive job cuts and paralysed shipments.

Now, at least, the current government appears set to ease some of the taxes while there are signs the incoming administration will take that further, with Widodo saying last week he would sit down with the miners.

“The penalties are too...