Ministry: Q1 coal output up slightly

Petromindo|Boim

Coal output by the country?s coal miners holding the coal contracts of work (or PKP2B) in the first quarter (Q1) of this year reached 70 million tons, slightly higher than 68.9 million tons in the same period of last year.

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Spokesman Sujatmiko, however, said on Tuesday that the first quarter 2017 coal production figure has yet to include output from miners holding the IUP mining business permits.

The PKP2B coal miners accounted for up to 80 percent of the country?s coal production. The country?s coal output this year is targeted at 470 million tons, much higher than the 413 million tons set under the 2015-2019 National Medium Term Development Plan (or RJPM). The higher output target comes amid recovery in coal price, which has pushed miners to increase production.

Production at some mines during the first quarter of this year, however, has been hampered by the heavy rainfall during the period. (*)