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.
|
|
Wednesday, 07 August 13
HANDIES : FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN THEIR PREVIOUS LEVELS - KONSTANTINOS KONTOMICHIS
Broker's insight
by Konstantinos Kontomichis,
SnP Broker
Entering the most predictable month of the year, as expected the seasonal effects ha ...
Tuesday, 06 August 13
UNLEASHING SHALE GAS POTENTIAL AS A GLOBAL ENERGY GAME CHANGER
In its 4th year running, the Annual Shale Gas Conference will bring leaders from North American shale gas operators, key Asian regulators, multi ...
Tuesday, 06 August 13
GBCE APPOINTS BENJAMIN WILEY AS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
COALspot.com : GB Clean Energy Ltd. (GBCE) announced today that Mr. Benjamin Wiley has been appointed as Managing Director.
Mr. Wiley has ...
Tuesday, 06 August 13
AUSTRALIAN NEWCASTLE PORT'S COAL EXPORTS FALL 23.16 PERCENT ON WEEK TO 2.26 MMT
COALspot.com: Power plant and semi-soft coking coal shipments from Australia's Newcastle port fell 15.8 percent week on week to 2.26 million mt for ...
Monday, 05 August 13
PAPERLESS TRADING (ELECTRONIC BILLS OF LADING) - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ("FAQS") - UK P&I CLUB
A number of Members have contacted the Club with queries regarding the use of electronic bills of lading and any potential consequences for P&I ...
|
|
|
Showing 4176 to 4180 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- White Energy Company Limited
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- The University of Queensland
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Planning Commission, India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Australian Coal Association
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
|
| |
| |
|
