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, 17 June 12
S7 & S8 ROUTES ARE LIKELY TO BE SOFT NEXT WEEK - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - The BDI gained some increase after continues fall for several weeks.
The BDI increased by 47 points (up by 5.36 pct) closing at 92 ...
Saturday, 16 June 12
INDONESIAN SUB-BITUMINOUS COAL & CFR SOUTH CHINA COAL CONTRACT SWAPS ARE UNDER PRESSURE
COALspot.com - Indonesian sub-bituminous coal swaps and CFR South China coal contracts for July deliveries seems to be under pressure this week.&nbs ...
Friday, 15 June 12
CAPESIZE - THE LEVELS THAT DID FIX ARE DOWN W-O-W LEVELS - FEARNLEYS
Handy
Another slow-moving market with rates hovering at same level as last week. US Gulf positions fixed USD 25,000 for trips to Cont/Passero and S ...
Thursday, 14 June 12
SMALLER DRY BULK CARRIERS LIKELY TO FACE MORE CHALLENGES; DEMOLITION ACTIVITY SET FOR RECORD YEAR - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
In its latest update on the dry bulk markets, BIMCO said that China is partly “failing to deliver” on raw material imports that can affe ...
Wednesday, 13 June 12
LOW COAL PRICES COULD CHANGE SUPPLY SIDE DYNAMICS - FITCH RATINGS
Fitch Ratings believes that the weakness seen in thermal coal prices in recent months should reverse once demand from major importers recovers, alth ...
|
|
|
Showing 4691 to 4695 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- PTC India Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- White Energy Company Limited
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Planning Commission, India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- The University of Queensland
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Australian Coal Association
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
|
| |
| |
|
