We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining,
shipping, etc.
To Submit your article please click here.
|
|
|
Sunday, 20 June 10
OUR COAL: ITS DEVELOPMENT AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
 Indonesia’s production of coal has been growing amazingly. In the mid 1980s, national coal production was less than 1 million tons per annum, whereas energy planners (in the fourth Five Year Development Plan: 1989-1994) pointed at 10 million tons as the national production target.
The current production has jumped dramatically, recorded as 237 million tons in 2008 (predicted to achieve 270 million tons this year), making Indonesia a world class producer and the largest exporter of coal around the globe. The skyrocketing growth of our coal production has also incited many controversial issues.
Coal is considered as the dirtiest among fossil fuels, making environmentalists oppose their wide use
as fuel.
However, the proposal for ceasing use of coal — power generation, for instance — would be challenged by power utilities demanding low cost fuel that coal may offer and by the government, which has the responsibility to provide electricity as well as have revenue from exploiting its energy resources.
Despite the world’s rising anxiety of global warming, IEA (International Energy Agency: World Energy Outlook 2009) statistics shows that the world consumption for coal, for the last decade, is still growing the fastest among primary energy sources.
The environmental problem associated with coal in Indonesia is not limited to green houses gases (GHG), but also damage and pollution since its exploitation, transportation and uses to post mining.
It is easy to find where many coal fields are not mined appropriately according to “good mining and environmental practices”, coal transportation is not considering safety standards and is damaging rivers, (public) roads and seashores.
The coal mining has polluted the land, water and air of especially Kalimantan, where more than 90 percent of Indonesia’s coal mining operations take place.
It is sad that many of the previous mining areas have been abandoned without being properly reclaimed, whereas thousands of hectares of the island’s tropical forests have been converted into desert.
The soaring exploitation, including its negative impact on the environment, has a strong correlation with the number of licensing/permits awarded.
The introduction of the 1999 Regional Autonomy Law, subsequently followed by the 1999 Fiscal Balancing Law between the Central and Regional Governments have — to some degree — impacted on the coal licensing regime, where larger authorities had been given to regional/local governments.
Under the new licensing regime by local governments, requirements for coal permits tend to be relaxed whereas monitoring has not been done properly.
As a result, the number of permits (Mining Authorization/KP) has been growing considerably (currently 462, of which 169 are producing), coal production increases, but also environmental problems and the issues of illegal mining exist.
The question of who really owns the KP licenses exists, which was defined as that it can be owned by Indonesian national/companies only.
While the largest part of coal in Indonesia are being produced by large companies (the holders of Coal Contract of Work/PKP2B), some coal is mined by small scale and illegal miners.
It is believed that a significant amount of coal has been produced by illegal miners (some 5 million tons annually) and part has gone to meet export demand.
Wherever in the world, illegal miners lack interest in responsible mining and mine rehabilitation practices. Illegal mining is a problem for potential investors, the environment and government revenues.
The government has introduced measures to crack down on problems, including arresting illegal miners.
However, it cannot be the only solution since illegal mining is actually rooted in underemployment, local poverty and weak law enforcement, while the number of people involved in these activities is quite significant.
An alternative to confrontation to illegal miners by the central government (who awards the large scale PKP2B mining license) should be a cooperative and more comprehensive approach.
“Despite the world’s anxiety of global warming, IEA statistics shows that the world consumption for coal is still growing the fastest among primary energy sources.”
Work together with local/rural governments and communities to reduce poverty, educate/assist the illegal miners to increase their awareness on good mining practices (including mine rehabilitation), provide transition period fiscal incentives to encourage illegal mining toward the regulated mining sector, among others.
It needs to maintain an appropriate balance between the soaring exports of coal (about three quarters of production on average) and the domestic growing demand for the same fuel.
Push for exports is still coming largely from the traditional East Asians (Japan is the largest), while the coal-hungry India and China are also increasing their demand for our coal.
The exports will be competed with by the Blue Print for Energy Management 2005-2025 pointing out that one third of Indonesia’s energy primary energy mix in 2025 is to be supplied by coal, (the current share is about 15 percent).
Even though it is often mentioned that our coal reserves are quite large (current proven reserves of 5.5 billion tons; estimated resources of 105 tones) and that our reserves for coal are much larger than that of oil and gas, we should watch their fast rate of exploitation cautiously.
It needs to recalculate the benefit of exploiting them, taking into account their damage to the environment and what is left post mining. Where have all the revenues from exploiting that coal gone? Is the escalating export not jeopardizing the domestic energy security in the near future?
We have ample experiences, for instance in exploiting the resources-rich Kalimantan. The forests, oil and gas reserves have been exploited for about four to five decades, but it seems that the island has not enjoyed the fruits of the excessive exploitation: the current regional economy remains weak, infrastructure is poor and energy supplies for local uses have not been secured.
It needs to promote the terms “resources balance, depletion, sustainability”, start internalizing the costs of environmental impact and enforce those concepts into workable policies for our coal mining development.
The writer is the senior energy planner and an economist with the National Development Planning Agency. The opinions expressed are his own.
Source: The Jakarta Post ( Hanan Nugroho)
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
|
|
Sunday, 23 January 11
THE AVERAGE CHARTER RATE FOR CAPE SIZE VESSELS WAS AT $ 8,859 PD ALMOST CLOSE TO 2008 LOWS - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - The BDI continues to drop and saw a drop of about 5 pct this week closing at 1,370 points. “ In May 2010 the BDI touched ...
Saturday, 22 January 11
POSSIBLE COAL EXPORT RESTRICTIONS ON INDONESIA UNLIKELY TO AFFECT CHURCHILL MINING - PROACTIVE INVESTORS
Proactive Investors reported that, Churchill Mining moved to reassure investors after a fall in its share price, stating that from talks with the au ...
Thursday, 20 January 11
INDONESIA MAY BAN LOW-QUALITY COAL EXPORTS FROM 2014 - BLOOMBERG
Bloomberg reported that, The Indonesian government plans to ban exports of coal with an energy value of less than 5,600 kilocalories a kilogram star ...
Thursday, 20 January 11
SUPRAS ARE DOING USD 7- 8K FOR INDONESIA-INDIA - FEARNBULK
Handy
Negative sentiment for forward positions in the Atlantic market due to lack of cargo availability and too many ballasters from the East. Con ...
Thursday, 20 January 11
ITMG TARGETS TO PRODUCE 25 MILLION TONS OF COAL THIS YEAR - BISNIS INDONESIA
Bisnis Indonesia reported that, Coal producer PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG) targets to produce 25 million tons of coal this year, a 13. ...
|
|
|
Showing 5416 to 5420 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- The University of Queensland
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Australian Coal Association
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Planning Commission, India
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- PTC India Limited - India
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
|
| |
| |
|
