PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam Tbk : COAL PRODUCERS ARE REQUIRED TO RUN DOWNSTREAM

IN THE near future, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) will issue rules related to coal downstream. Especially in the development of underground coal gasification for the needs of power plants and fertilizer plants.

Just information, Center for Research and Development of Mineral and Coal Technology (Puslitbang Tekmira) Ministry of ESDM, has made three models of geological dimensions of the layer. All three can develop coal gasification activities.

Head of Communication Bureau, Public Information and Cooperation, ESDM Ministry Sujatmiko said ESDM Minister Ignasius Jonan has ordered the Head of SKK Migas to accelerate technical management of coal gasification.

'From the acceleration side, SKK Migas is given the task of doing it (working area and its downstream) in the near future can be tested in the field,' he said to KONTAN, Thursday (25/5).

Thus, the ESDM ministry will issue the Permen ESDM to realize the development of this coal gasification.

The pattern is two, firstly, the owner of the Mining Business License (IUP) can cooperate with other parties for the development of this coal downstream.

Second, IUP owners can manage their own as long as they have technology, environmental management and economic safety.

'If the technique is ready, the funding is ready, ready to use, then the rule will be issued.' It is expected that in the near future it will be issued,' said Sujatmiko.

Coal downstream through gasification is claimed as one of the government's efforts to increase the added value of the black through clean energy. This plan is also considered to be more environmentally friendly and slightly off the coal emissions compared to Steam Power Plant (PLTU).

Sujatmiko explains, to realize this rule, it cooperates with India. Among other things in the development of technology, because India is more advanced about converting coal into gas.

If this is successful, the company will have joint coking coal cooperation to accelerate the development of coal gasification both in Indonesia and India.

'As India has received international attention, the pattern will lead to a standardized management base,' he said.

Data from the Ministry of ESDM stated that coal gasification potential reached 40.5 billion tons. When converted to natural gas equivalent to 158 trillion standard cubic feet of natural gas. It exists in South Sumatra (South Sumatra), Kutai Kartanegara, Barito, Tarakan, Pasir and Ombilin. 'The potential for developing this gasification is medium and low rank coal,' he said.

PTBA is ready

Corporate Secretary of PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Adib Ubaidillah stated that PTBA welcomes the issuance plan of coal downstream through coal gasification. Currently, PTBA claims to have also made a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) for the development of coal gasification technology.

According to him, PTBA will definitely support the government's steps related to coal downstream. 'We also cooperate with the Center of Industry (Pusri) for this downstream. ITB and LIPI will conduct research until later to scale the economy,' he told KONTAN, Thursday (25/5).Pratama Guitarra

Source : KONTAN