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, 01 December 13
PANAMAX RATES HAVE REBOUNDED - CAPT. REDDY
COALspot.com: The freight market was quite firm last week with all the indices increased. Cape Index was gained highest this week which supports inc ...
Saturday, 30 November 13
NTPC STARTED IMPORTING COAL THROUGH NW1 FOR ITS FARAKKA POWER PLANT
COALspot.com: In a pioneering and path breaking operation, the very first consignment of about 69,060 metric tons of imported coal bought by MV HUAY ...
Friday, 29 November 13
DRY BULK MARKET BACK ON HIGHER GROUND - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS
The dry bulk market is strengthening as a result of higher demand for Capesize vessels. The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) was up by 146 points yesterday, e ...
Wednesday, 27 November 13
DRY SEGMENTS EXCEPTION OF PANAMAXES, REMAINED OVERALL STABLE - INTERMODAL
COALspot.com : The Dry Bulk market closed off the week in the red, albeit the decrease noted was of short scale. With the exception of Panamaxes, th ...
Wednesday, 27 November 13
US WHEAT IMPORTS TO BRAZIL, REACHED A 35 - YEAR HIGH - EVA TZIMA
COALspot.com: As I am going through a number of dry market fixtures reported since the beginning of October, my eyes instinctively stop where they d ...
|
|
|
Showing 3986 to 3990 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- The University of Queensland
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- White Energy Company Limited
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Planning Commission, India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- PTC India Limited - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
|
| |
| |
|
