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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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Monday, 13 February 12
WEEKLY DRY MARKET OVERVIEW - MARIA BERTZELETOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The current sentiment in the dry market resembles memories from the end of 2008, when the Baltic Dry Index closed at the level of 663 points on Dece ...
Sunday, 12 February 12
INDONESIA HAS ISSUED A REGULATION TO BAN THE EXPORT OF UNPROCESSED MINERALS AND METALS BY 2014
COALspot.com - The Indonesian government has finally issued a ministerial decree (7 Year 2012 dated 6 February 2012) to ban the export of unpro ...
Sunday, 12 February 12
THE BALTIC DRY INDEX CLIMBS 10.51%
COALspot.com - "The markets touched record lows not seen since mid 80’s. However there was some good news with signs of market recovery a ...
Saturday, 11 February 12
A SNAPSHOT ON THE ECONOMIC AND SHIPPING ENVIRONMENT - GOLDEN DESTINY
The week was highlighted with intense worries in the eurozone for Greece to secure its second bailout of $130billion by applying a ...
Saturday, 11 February 12
WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF IN THIS SHIPPING CYCLE? - CLARKSONS / HELLENIC SHIPPING
A slightly dubious "best man" joke runs as follows… Best man (giving his wedding speech): "Have you noticed how history repeat ...
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- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Planning Commission, India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- The University of Queensland
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- PTC India Limited - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Australian Coal Association
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- White Energy Company Limited
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
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