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.
|
|
Friday, 09 November 12
SHIP OWNERS TURN TO SECOND HAND VESSELS, WHICH COME AT ATTRACTIVE PRICES - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS
The attractiveness of modern second hand vessels, which are often priced aggressively can't be ignored by cash-rich ship owners, who are taking adv ...
Thursday, 08 November 12
LARGE ECO SUPRA : INDO - INDIA NOW FIXED AT USD 11K FOR DELIVERY SINGAPORE - FEARNLEYS
Handy
The Atlantic market continues to remain weak with rates further softening on FH. Rates from USG to Feast were around USD 14k and Black Sea to ...
Thursday, 08 November 12
DRY BULK MARKET RETREATS AGAIN ON HIGHER SHIP SUPPLY - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS
In further evidence of a latest round of dry bulk shipping misery, the industry's benchmark fell for the 11th straight session yesterday, as the in ...
Thursday, 08 November 12
JOIN CHINA STEAM COAL SUPPLY - DEMAND FORUM
Join China Steam Coal Supply-Demand Forum & Visit Shenhua Yudean Zhuhai Port Coal Terminal
Press Release - Organized by CBI BIZ and suppo ...
Wednesday, 07 November 12
NEWBUILDING ORDERING ACTIVITY ON A STEADY PACE PRIOR TO THE END OF THE YEAR - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS
Newbuilding orders, which to many involved in the shipping industry, are the main reason of today's low freight rates and subsequent financial prob ...
|
|
|
Showing 4511 to 4515 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- The University of Queensland
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- White Energy Company Limited
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Australian Coal Association
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
|
| |
| |
|
