RI, India to explore for coking coal potential in Papua

Indonesia and India have decided to team up in exploration of coking coal potential in Papua Province to help meet the latter country?s future demand for the commodity.

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Spokesman Sujatmiko said late last week that India?s Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), and Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) have agreed to team up with Indonesian counterparts in looking for coking coal mining potential in Papua.

He said that the two Indian institutes will carry out exploration activities in areas in Papua with potential coal resources.

He said that the move forms part of efforts by the Indian government to secure its coking coal requirement in the future.

In the meantime, Sujatmiko said that Indian companies interested in importing coking coal from Indonesia can seek partnership with IUP coking coal miners operating in Indonesia?s Kalimantan province.

No further details were provide over the planned projects with CMPDI and CIMFR.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak