Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Coal Country Notes

Indonesia possesses very substantial coal resources: according to the data reported by the Indonesian WEC Member Committee for the purpose of this Survey, the proved amount in place is nearly 12.5 billion tonnes, within which proved recoverable reserves amount to around 4.3 billion tonnes. Sub-bituminous coals account for 40% of the tonnage in place, with lignite 32% and bituminous grades 28%. On a proved recoverable basis, however, bituminous and sub-bituminous each has a share of around 40%.

The Member Committee also reports an estimated additional amount in place of 44.7 billion tonnes, within which 6.0 is classified as bituminous, 27.6 as sub-bituminous and 11.1 as lignite.

Indonesian coals in production generally have medium calorific values
(5 000 - 7 000 kcal/kg or 21-29 MJ/kg), with relatively high percentages of volatile matter; they benefit from low ash and sulphur contents, making them some of the cleanest coals in the world.

Competitive quality characteristics have secured substantial coal export markets for Indonesia: it is now the world's second largest coal exporter, after Australia. In 2005, 108 million tonnes were shipped overseas, representing 71% of total coal output. Asian customers take a large part of Indonesia's coal exports.

Within Indonesia, coal's main market is power generation, which accounted for 63% of internal consumption in 2004.