Minister to issue new regulation on gas gasification

By Febry Silaban

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said stated that he would soon issue a ministerial regulation on coal gasification in a bid to lure fresh investment into the sector.

He said that coal gasification is mandated by the 2009 Mining Law as part of efforts to generate greater value added from the country?s coal resources.

?We already have pilot project (on coal gasification), now we?re trying to push business entities to enter the sector,? Sudirman said, but did not provide details on the content of the planned ministerial regulation.

Meanwhile, Head of Public Communications Center at the ministry, Sujatmiko said that the new ministerial regulation is expected to be issued this year.

?One of the main points is how the government determines royalty from (coal gasification). The royalty calculation will be based on the amount of coal processed and the volume of gas output,? he said.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak