Indonesian government on Monday announced that total realised coal production in the country was 557 MnT in CY18, thanks in part to the additional 100 MnT coal output approved in Sep’18. Kontan reported citing Bambang Gatot Ariyono, director general of coal and mines at the Mineral and Energy Ministry.
The latest number, which is thought to be a final one, came after the government announced two two different numbers this year. The one announced in Jan’19 put the output at 528 MnT and the other in Feb’19 at 548.58 MnT.
Bambang said that the latest number was valid. “We don’t know if we can have some additional numbers,” Bambang said during a hearing at the parliament building on Monday.
In September last year, the government asked the coal miners to produce an additional 100 MnT of coal in an effort, to narrow the country’s trade deficit. As more Indonesian coal producers sell their coal in overseas markets, that could help trim the trade deficit, the government has said.
The actual coal production was way higher than that was previously forecast at 485 MnT for CY18, the paper reported.
Bambang said last year coal production was the highest in five years. The country produced 458 MnT in CY14, 461 MnT in CY15, 456 MnT in CY16 and 461 MnT in CY17.
The government announced early this year that coal production target was set at 489.13 MnT for CY19. Such coal production target may change, Bambang said adding a revision would only be made in Jun’19.
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