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Monday, 20 February 12
COAL BOOM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN - SUNIL K KUMBHAT
 COALspot.com - The dawn of the 21st century has seen a shift in the world's commercial balance of power, with the dominance of the US, Europe and Japan challenged by the rapid industrialisation of hungry new economies. The rise of the so-called BRIIC nations - Brazil, Russia, India ,Indonesia and China - is giving birth to new global financial centres, vibrant industrial markets and above all surging demand for raw materials to supply new projects.
But where does environmental responsibility fit into this drive for resources?
Growing demand for thermal Coal has created a new coal boom, which is great news for Coal producing countries such as Indonesia, Australia , south Africa . The demand of coal is growing at a massive rate in Asia particularly India and China. Both the coal hungry countries are making efforts to secure supplies by acquiring Coal mines or forming Joint ventures for their new power generating plants.
The demand is fuelling the world prices of coal, although prices are still not as high as witnessed in 2008 when everything peaked before the global financial crisis but there all indications that by 2012/2013 coal prises will reach to record high.
The India and China are becoming the mainstay of the market . Both the countries are having huge Coal reserves ,but still they are importing huge qty of coal to meet there increased demand and as such they are effectively driving the world Coal market and its prices. India’s demand for coal is expected to grow at a faster rate than any other country in the world.
India's rich untapped mineral resources of more than 20 mineral types - including gold, copper, coal and bauxite but the fact that many of these resources are located in rural, heavily forested areas with predominantly tribal populations has raised concerns over the environmental impact of mining operations.
The country has a long history of environmental damage caused by both domestic and international mining companies, as well as the ecological problems from hundreds of abandoned mines in areas like Bihar's Jharia and Rhaniganj coal fields. Like China, India has been plagued by the environmental problems associated with illegal and unlicensed mining operations, which the country's Directorate General of Mines Safety has been ill-equipped to deal with due to funding deficiencies.
Similarly China has come under fire from human rights activists and environmental groups alike for its arguably lax approach to both worker safety (the country has become the mining disaster capital of the world in recent years) and environmental accountability. The Chinese Government's approach to corporate and environmental responsibility has been characterised by outside observers as simply paying lip service to the environment - hinting that ISO guidelines for mining would be welcomed - without implementing practical measures to promote change.
The environmental impact of mining operations in Brazil is also under sharper scrutiny than many other countries, primarily because its borders contain the lion's share of the Amazon rainforest, a haven for biodiversity and one of the most important eco-systems in the world.
As such, environmental awareness is particularly strong in the Brazilian mining industry. Experts from the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards are playing a leadership role in the further development of the recently introduced ISO 26000 international standard on social responsibility. Furthermore, licensing for new mining projects is often legally conditional on the drafting of comprehensive environmental impact studies, reports and extensive public consultations, particularly in areas inhabited by tribal groups.
Although carrying out mining operations in a region like the Amazon will be controversial, the environmental commitment seen here and echoed by many other Brazilian mining companies (including industry giant Vale, which has a complex environmental quality management system based on ISO 14001 standards) provides a useful model of awareness for other BRIC nations, and the global mining industry in general, to follow.
India is emerging as a fast economy, targeting 9-10% annual growth. Realizing the underlying growth potential will largely depend on it's ability to meet energy requirements. Energy sector whose growth targets inter alia depend on coal. At a 9% growth rate, the capacity requirement will be 960Gw and energy requirement will be 4,806 billion kWh. In the light of these projections, coal demand is estimated to rise many fold. Main concentration of Indian companies remains in Indonesia as many new mines are opened for exploration , exploitation and production .Today Indonesia is one of the most rapidly developing coal producing country in the world.
For a strong economy, one needs strong infrastructure and power plants. For strong infrastructure and power plants , one needs steel. Steel is the backbone of an economy, and it is metallurgical coal and thermal coal that is used to produce steel and electricity.
An increase in Coal production is the opposite of what the global climate change forums have wanted to see because coal without any doubt is one of the dirtiest and filthiest fossil fuel in terms of CO2 and when it comes to harmful emissions that most environmentalists and energy economists agree causes global warming.
Coal consumption is going in a direction that policy makers would prefer it not to go.
Critical question is whether there is a willingness amongst coal producers and power generating plants to make their technology cleaner, so it emits less greenhouse gases(GHG) which leads to global warming .Energy scientists have long been voicing concern on the rise in the level of Greenhouse gases, which leads to Global warming and climatic changes that are detrimental to economies worldwide.
The disastrous consequences for global climate change is one topic that has now taken very serious dimension but hardly been realised in a serious enough way by the nations across the world.
The new thermal plants being built are certainly more efficient than older ones. There exist technology to have emission-free power plants - the only constraint is the cost. The cost of clean coal technology is very high, yet when we look at the alternatives to coal, they are even higher than that - for example, nuclear, solar, wind. The real costs of all these alternatives are still to be determined, but there is no doubt that clean coal technologies can double the cost of coal in generating energy.
None of the alternatives appears to be commercially viable right now for required generation of energy without considering subsidies and tax incentives . If any country accepts sustainable growth and development as the way forward, it subsumes the climate change issues.
At the same time, no country can ignore the inherent contradiction in the expression ‘sustainable growth’.
Growth essentially involves exploiting natural resources for human benefit and countries have to strike a delicate balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth. It is easier said than done.
As the climate issue impinges on everyone, wisdom demands that nations sink their petty differences in approach and strategy to stem the danger from spreading further and squeezing the survival prospects of one and all.
Principally, the efforts boil down to reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, caused primarily by accelerated economic development through exploitation of fossil fuels rich in carbon dioxide.
Every action does not need to be official or based on protocols. In any case, every country need to adopt new methods and ways of doing things in optimising the use of exhaustible resources, energy and water. Corporations / Institutions must carry out energy analysis and incorporate environmental accounting practices to reduce green house gas emission levels at their facilities. The government, in turn, could enforce a form of taxation based on companies’ contribution to climate change.
Climate change is today's biggest problem, threatening mankind with extinction. The problem, largely of man's own doing, must be treated as an emergency by all.
The president of Indonesia issued a Presidential decree instructing all central and regional authorities to support the moratorium by suspending the granting of permits for the use of “primary natural forests” for two years. This Presidential decree is part of Indonesia’s efforts to comply with the bilateral agreement between Indonesia and Norway on forest conservation.
Various governments worldwide are beginning to put regulations in place and to encourage development of more sustainable sources of power generation in order to protect populations worldwide from the immediate detrimental effects on life and health, and to protect the environment for future generation.
By : Sunil K Kumbhat , Jodhpur( Rajasthan ) India
Views expressed herein are personal views of the author and not that of COALspot.com.
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Friday, 28 June 24
INDIAN POWER STATIONS STOCKED WITH BUMPER COAL SUPPLY AS TRANSPORT WOES EASE - BUSINESS STANDARD
Even as power demand has touched a historic high of 250 gigawatts (Gw) amid sweltering heat this June, India’s power stations are stocked wit ...
Friday, 28 June 24
INDIA'S CY23 COAL USE LARGER THAN NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE COMBINED - THE HINDU
For the first time, India’s coal consumption surpassed that of North America and Europe combined in the calendar year 2023, said Energy Insti ...
Monday, 24 June 24
PLN'S FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY RESTS ON ACCELERATED COAL RETIREMENT AND RENEWABLES DEPLOYMENT - MUTYA YUSTIKA
On 28 May 2024, Indonesia’s national electricity utility, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), released its financial report for 2023. Althoug ...
Monday, 24 June 24
INDIA'S COAL-BASED POWER DEMAND AT ALL-TIME HIGH, GOVERNMENT SAYS - REUTERS
India’s demand for coal-based power has risen by 7.3% this fiscal year to an all-time high, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
...
Monday, 24 June 24
CHINA'S COAL INDUSTRY TURNS GREENER THROUGH INNOVATIVE APPROACHES - PEOPLE'S DAILY
At an opencast mine operated by Inner Mongolia Pingzhuang Coal Group Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of CHN Energy Investment Group (CHN Energy), a 14-meter ...
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Showing 11 to 15 news of total 6871 |
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- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- The University of Queensland
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Planning Commission, India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- White Energy Company Limited
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Australian Coal Association
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- PTC India Limited - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
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