Coal output in first five-month up 11.5%

Indonesia?s coal production in the first five months of this year increased by 11.5 percent to 183 million tons compared to the same January-May period of last year, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Kontan quoted Edi Prasodjo, coal chief at the ministry, as saying Tuesday that of the total production, 134 million tons went to the export market, while the remainder was allocated to the domestic market.

Meanwhile, production in May alone was 36 million tons, down from 37 million tons in April of this year.

The ministry is planning to limit the country?s coal production not to exceed 400 million tons this year in a bid to help stabilize price of the commodity as well as maintain reserves for future domestic needs. (*)