Coal upgrading pilot project to be opened in C. Java

A pilot project on upgrading low calorie coal will be launched in Cirebon, Central Java, in August, an official said.

Head of Mineral Resources and Coal Research Development Center M. Lobo Balia said on Sunday that his office would jointly develop the project with Japan's Coal Energy Center.

The project, which is located in Palimanan village, will initially process 500 tons per day of raw coal, using the so-called Upgraded Brown Coal (UBC) technology from Japan.

"With the technology, we'll be ready to help coal mining firms to upgrade low quality coal to meet market requirement," Lobo said.

Commercial production of upgraded coal would reach 5,000 tons per day, Lobo told reporters during his visit to Cirebon. Commercial production was expected to start late this year, he said.

The pilot project will be financed with Japanese grants, Lobo said.

He said further that several coal producers in Indonesia had expressed interest to carry out pilot projects to upgrade their coal. They included PT Berau Coal, PT Arutmin Indonesia, PT Kideco Jaya Agung, PT Bukit Asam, PT Gunung Bayan, PT Garda Tujuh Benua and PT Tri Ariana. (godang)