Indonesia Sees Coal Production Growing

Coal production in Indonesia — a major thermal coal exporter — will keep growing next year as the country’s miners increase their output to tap expected higher demand. Herman Kasih, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association, said the country’s coal production could hit 450 million tons in 2014. “Coal miners are targeting higher production. There’s growing demand in the global market, including from Japan, which will increase coal purchases after it shuts down its nuclear generated power,” Kasih said. Indonesia’s coal production is expected to reach 421 million tons for 2013, a 3.4% increase over 2012’s 407 million tons.