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Monday, 20 February 12
COAL BOOM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN - SUNIL K KUMBHAT
 COALspot.com - The dawn of the 21st century has seen a shift in the world's commercial balance of power, with the dominance of the US, Europe and Japan challenged by the rapid industrialisation of hungry new economies. The rise of the so-called BRIIC nations - Brazil, Russia, India ,Indonesia and China - is giving birth to new global financial centres, vibrant industrial markets and above all surging demand for raw materials to supply new projects.
But where does environmental responsibility fit into this drive for resources?
Growing demand for thermal Coal has created a new coal boom, which is great news for Coal producing countries such as Indonesia, Australia , south Africa . The demand of coal is growing at a massive rate in Asia particularly India and China. Both the coal hungry countries are making efforts to secure supplies by acquiring Coal mines or forming Joint ventures for their new power generating plants.
The demand is fuelling the world prices of coal, although prices are still not as high as witnessed in 2008 when everything peaked before the global financial crisis but there all indications that by 2012/2013 coal prises will reach to record high.
The India and China are becoming the mainstay of the market . Both the countries are having huge Coal reserves ,but still they are importing huge qty of coal to meet there increased demand and as such they are effectively driving the world Coal market and its prices. India’s demand for coal is expected to grow at a faster rate than any other country in the world.
India's rich untapped mineral resources of more than 20 mineral types - including gold, copper, coal and bauxite but the fact that many of these resources are located in rural, heavily forested areas with predominantly tribal populations has raised concerns over the environmental impact of mining operations.
The country has a long history of environmental damage caused by both domestic and international mining companies, as well as the ecological problems from hundreds of abandoned mines in areas like Bihar's Jharia and Rhaniganj coal fields. Like China, India has been plagued by the environmental problems associated with illegal and unlicensed mining operations, which the country's Directorate General of Mines Safety has been ill-equipped to deal with due to funding deficiencies.
Similarly China has come under fire from human rights activists and environmental groups alike for its arguably lax approach to both worker safety (the country has become the mining disaster capital of the world in recent years) and environmental accountability. The Chinese Government's approach to corporate and environmental responsibility has been characterised by outside observers as simply paying lip service to the environment - hinting that ISO guidelines for mining would be welcomed - without implementing practical measures to promote change.
The environmental impact of mining operations in Brazil is also under sharper scrutiny than many other countries, primarily because its borders contain the lion's share of the Amazon rainforest, a haven for biodiversity and one of the most important eco-systems in the world.
As such, environmental awareness is particularly strong in the Brazilian mining industry. Experts from the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards are playing a leadership role in the further development of the recently introduced ISO 26000 international standard on social responsibility. Furthermore, licensing for new mining projects is often legally conditional on the drafting of comprehensive environmental impact studies, reports and extensive public consultations, particularly in areas inhabited by tribal groups.
Although carrying out mining operations in a region like the Amazon will be controversial, the environmental commitment seen here and echoed by many other Brazilian mining companies (including industry giant Vale, which has a complex environmental quality management system based on ISO 14001 standards) provides a useful model of awareness for other BRIC nations, and the global mining industry in general, to follow.
India is emerging as a fast economy, targeting 9-10% annual growth. Realizing the underlying growth potential will largely depend on it's ability to meet energy requirements. Energy sector whose growth targets inter alia depend on coal. At a 9% growth rate, the capacity requirement will be 960Gw and energy requirement will be 4,806 billion kWh. In the light of these projections, coal demand is estimated to rise many fold. Main concentration of Indian companies remains in Indonesia as many new mines are opened for exploration , exploitation and production .Today Indonesia is one of the most rapidly developing coal producing country in the world.
For a strong economy, one needs strong infrastructure and power plants. For strong infrastructure and power plants , one needs steel. Steel is the backbone of an economy, and it is metallurgical coal and thermal coal that is used to produce steel and electricity.
An increase in Coal production is the opposite of what the global climate change forums have wanted to see because coal without any doubt is one of the dirtiest and filthiest fossil fuel in terms of CO2 and when it comes to harmful emissions that most environmentalists and energy economists agree causes global warming.
Coal consumption is going in a direction that policy makers would prefer it not to go.
Critical question is whether there is a willingness amongst coal producers and power generating plants to make their technology cleaner, so it emits less greenhouse gases(GHG) which leads to global warming .Energy scientists have long been voicing concern on the rise in the level of Greenhouse gases, which leads to Global warming and climatic changes that are detrimental to economies worldwide.
The disastrous consequences for global climate change is one topic that has now taken very serious dimension but hardly been realised in a serious enough way by the nations across the world.
The new thermal plants being built are certainly more efficient than older ones. There exist technology to have emission-free power plants - the only constraint is the cost. The cost of clean coal technology is very high, yet when we look at the alternatives to coal, they are even higher than that - for example, nuclear, solar, wind. The real costs of all these alternatives are still to be determined, but there is no doubt that clean coal technologies can double the cost of coal in generating energy.
None of the alternatives appears to be commercially viable right now for required generation of energy without considering subsidies and tax incentives . If any country accepts sustainable growth and development as the way forward, it subsumes the climate change issues.
At the same time, no country can ignore the inherent contradiction in the expression ‘sustainable growth’.
Growth essentially involves exploiting natural resources for human benefit and countries have to strike a delicate balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth. It is easier said than done.
As the climate issue impinges on everyone, wisdom demands that nations sink their petty differences in approach and strategy to stem the danger from spreading further and squeezing the survival prospects of one and all.
Principally, the efforts boil down to reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, caused primarily by accelerated economic development through exploitation of fossil fuels rich in carbon dioxide.
Every action does not need to be official or based on protocols. In any case, every country need to adopt new methods and ways of doing things in optimising the use of exhaustible resources, energy and water. Corporations / Institutions must carry out energy analysis and incorporate environmental accounting practices to reduce green house gas emission levels at their facilities. The government, in turn, could enforce a form of taxation based on companies’ contribution to climate change.
Climate change is today's biggest problem, threatening mankind with extinction. The problem, largely of man's own doing, must be treated as an emergency by all.
The president of Indonesia issued a Presidential decree instructing all central and regional authorities to support the moratorium by suspending the granting of permits for the use of “primary natural forests” for two years. This Presidential decree is part of Indonesia’s efforts to comply with the bilateral agreement between Indonesia and Norway on forest conservation.
Various governments worldwide are beginning to put regulations in place and to encourage development of more sustainable sources of power generation in order to protect populations worldwide from the immediate detrimental effects on life and health, and to protect the environment for future generation.
By : Sunil K Kumbhat , Jodhpur( Rajasthan ) India
Views expressed herein are personal views of the author and not that of COALspot.com.
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Friday, 30 March 12
RECOND NUMBERS SURROUNDING THE SUPRAMAX DRY BULK MARKET - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
Last year proved to be both a record year in the number of deliveries of dry bulkers between 40,000dwt and 64,000dwt, as well as a record year in th ...
Thursday, 29 March 12
DRY BULK EDGED FURTHER UP, ON HEALTHY DEMAND FOR MOST SHIP TYPES - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
With capesize vessels finally reappearing in demand, the dry bulk market had an easier task of rising yesterday, as the BDI (Baltic Dry Index) reach ...
Thursday, 29 March 12
ADARO FY11 NET INCOME JUMPS 124% - INSIDER STORIES
Insider Stories reported that, PT Adaro Energy Tbk (ADRO) today announced a 124% jump in net income to US$552 million last year or US$0.017 a share. ...
Wednesday, 28 March 12
CUESTA HAS RECEIVED APPLICATIONS AND FIRM BIDS IN EXCESS OF $9 MILLION FOR THE COMPANYS IPO
COALspot.com - The Directors of Cuesta Coal Limited (ASX:CQC) have announced that today it has received applications and firm bids in excess of $9 m ...
Wednesday, 28 March 12
ORPHEUS ENERGY TO COMMENCE JORC DRILLING AT ADK PROJECT
COALspot.com - Indonesian coal explorer and producer, Orpheus Energy (ASX:OEG), have today announced that the company is about to commence a drillin ...
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- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- The University of Queensland
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- PTC India Limited - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Australian Coal Association
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Planning Commission, India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
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