RI?s coal export drops 19.8%

Indonesia?s coal export in January-September period of this year dropped by 19.8 percent to 235 million tons compared to the corresponding period of last year.

Domestic sales via so-called domestic market obligation, however, increased by 9.84 percent to 67 million tons in the first nine-month of this year compared to the same period of last year.

Meanwhile, production in the first nine months of this year reached 308 million tons, down compared to 360 million tons in the same period of last year.

Director for Coal Management and Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Adhi Wibowo said over the weekend that the drop in export was a result of slowing demand particularly from China.

The drop in export has raised concern that the government may not be able to meet this year?s coal production target of 425 million tons. Adhi said that this year?s coal production may only reach about 390 million tons. (*)