Govt sees better outlook of coal

By Bambang Atmaja

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik is optimist the price of coal would return to pick up next year as world demand on energy remain high while some miners in producing countries would still slow down production.

Jero however urged Indonesian miners to diversify the markets rather than focusing on China.

China is expected to boost its domestic production and prefer importing thermal coal from its Vietnam and coking coal from Australia to meet its domestic demand.

"The global demand on energy is going to increase,...and the coal price is going to be normal again," Jero told Petromindo.com at the State Palace.

"Miners should also be ready to compete with Vietnam," he said.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora