Govt to further develop and diversify use of coal

The government is conducting researches and studies to further develop coal into fuel and raw materials for industries in order to cope with the decline in oil production in the country.

Director General of Oil and Gas at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Evita H. Legowo said in Jakarta on Thursday that the government also encouraged joint researches and studies with other parties to develop coal for other purposes.

At present, there are at least five projects which have been established to diversify the use of coal including the conversion of coal to synthetic gas, the conversion of coal into ethanol, the conversion of coal into diesel fuel, the conversion of coal into slurry and the conversion of coal into dimethyl ether (DME).

Evita said that in order to further encourage the researches and studies on the diversification of the use of coal, the government has established a team to formulate a regulatory framework, a pilot project, licensing procedures and coordination with other related parties especially local governments.

She said that further development on the conversion of coal for other purposes was quite possible thanks to the abundant coal reserves in the country. (romel)