The Queensland Government is sending a trade mission to Indonesia to strengthen and re-establish investment opportunities and trading relationships for the mining and processing industries.
The mission is the first Resources and Mines Minister-led trade mission to Indonesia in 17 years, with Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last focused on attracting further investment to regional Queensland.
Through the trade mission, Last intends to position Queensland as a reliable investment partner, a supplier of high-quality coal, and a destination for critical minerals mining and processing, while attracting further investment and supporting local jobs.
The Queensland Government also intends to explore opportunities to drive growth, innovation, and competitiveness in the mining equipment, technology, and services (METS) sector.
Last says the state government is committed to prioritising the resources industry and supporting regional jobs and investment, as demonstrated by the trade mission.
“This is the first time in 17 years that a resources and mines minister has led a trade mission focused on strengthening the mining and manufacturing bonds between Queensland and Indonesia,” Last says.
“My message is simple: Queensland is open for business. We welcome your investment, we have the resources, the skilled workforce, and a government that is driving more investment in our state and genuinely supports resource development.
“By strengthening ties with Indonesia, we are laying the foundation for more resilient supply chains, greater market access, and stronger relationships, to deliver a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.”
Trade missions worldwide
The Queensland Government has been focused on creating new global opportunities for its minerals sector this year.
In September, the government announced a trade mission to Chile, Peru, and Colombia to strengthen critical minerals collaboration with Latin America and create opportunities for local exporters.
The delegation aimed to facilitate deals for local METS companies, as previously reported by Mining.com.au.
The trade mission follows the Queensland-Latin America Trade and Investment Strategy 2026–2028, after goods exported from Queensland to Latin America increased by 20.5% to $1.5 billion in the 2025–26 period.
Queensland is positioning the trade mission as an opportunity to build on its growing relationship with Latin America.
Efforts to strengthen ties with Indonesia come at an important time for both Queensland and Australia.
As reported earlier this month, the Indonesian Government is widening access to mining opportunities for regional businesses as it seeks to distribute more of the sector’s economic benefits beyond Jakarta.
Revised rules aim to prioritise cooperatives, small and medium-sized businesses, and region-owned enterprises seeking access to mineral and coal mining areas.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia says the reforms encourage mining contractors to involve businesses based in producing regions.
Along with the US, Canada, and China, Australia is one of the few countries whose miners have previously benefited from more lenient foreign exchange (FX) earnings retention rules.
Last week, the Indonesian Government added mining companies owned by investors from South Korea, Japan, and EU countries to a list of entities eligible for more lenient FX earnings retention terms, as reported.
Trade missions form part of Queensland’s broader strategy to advance its mining and resources sector through the Delivering for Queensland initiative.
Queensland launched its Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026–30 strategy in late July, outlining the state’s vision to become a globally recognised supplier of critical minerals.
The strategy sets out a plan to grow the sector, build sovereign capability, and attract new investment as Queensland seeks to establish itself as a destination of choice for critical mineral projects.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Main image: iStock
