A number of prestige projects belonging to PT Bukit Asam Tbk ( PTBA ) continue to roll, one of which is the construction of the South Sumatra-8 Mine Mouth Steam Power Plant (PLTU). To date, the PLTU with a capacity of 2x620 megawatts (MW) has reached construction completion of 95%. The power plant is expected to be operational commercially in March 2022. Normally, this PLTU can consume up to 5.5 million tons of coal per year. However, this year's coal consumption is estimated to only be around 500,000 tons because it is not yet fully operational.Just so you know, PTBA built this PLTU through PT Huadian Bukit Asam Power (HBAP) as an independent power producer (IPP). HBAP is a consortium between PTBA and China Huadian Hongkong Company with a value of US$ 1.68 billion. In January 2022, PTBA together with Pertamina and Air Products & Chemical Inc conducted a groundbreaking for the coal downstream project into dimethyl ether (DME) in the Tanjung Enim industrial area, South Sumatra.This gasification is a national strategic project (PSN) and will be carried out for 20 years with an investment value of Air Products reaching US$ 2.3 billion or equivalent to US$ 32.9 trillion.This gasification project is capable of absorbing 6 million tons of coal per year and can produce 1.4 million DME per year. This DME can reduce imports of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) by more than 1 million tons per year.PTBA's expansion into the new renewable energy (EBT) sector also continues. PTBA currently plans to develop a solar power plant (PLTS) in the post-mining area, namely in the post-mining area of ​​Tanjung Enim with a capacity of 200 MW on a total area of ​​224 hectares (ha), in Ombilin land with a capacity of 200 MW in an area of ​​201 ha, and PLTS located in Bantuas, East Kalimantan.PTBA is also collaborating with PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia in the context of exploring the potential for developing the PLTU project in the Galang Batang Special Economic Zone (KEK) in Bintan, Riau Islands.This exploration opens up opportunities for PTBA to support the supply of coal for processing plants (smelters) and other developments. PTBA is also collaborating with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to develop a railroad coal transportation project with a capacity of 72 million tons per year in 2026.  Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/melihat-progres-sejumlah-proyek-milik-bukit-asam-ptba?page=1

China’s coal output rose 10.3% in the first two months of 2022 from a year earlier, after Beijing encouraged miners to ramp up production for the winter heating season, with demand also receiving a boost from Indonesia’s export ban.The world’s biggest coal miner and consumer produced 686.6 million tonnes of the dirty fossil fuel during January-February period, up from 617.59 million tonnes in the same period in 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday. The bureau combines data for January and February due to the Lunar New Year holiday, which fell in early February this year.China urged state-owned coal miners to increase output ahead of the festival and ordered them to operate normally during the holidays to ensure market supply and cool prices. But the daily output in the first two months remained lower than the record high level of 12.4 million tonnes set in December, as private-owned miners shut down for the holiday.Power plants were also ordered to build up and maintain coal inventories equivalent to at least 15 days’ use. Indonesia, China’s largest overseas coal supplier, imposed a shock ban on shipments on Jan. 1. This boosted demand for China’s domestic coal as seaborne shipments were delayed and regional benchmark prices surged.China’s output is expected to stay at a level of more than 12 million tonnes a day in the near-term, as Beijing strives to ensure sufficient energy supply amid a global price surge and supply disruption in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.However, surging domestic cases of Covid-19, especially in the top mining region of Inner Mongolia, are challenging coal production and transportation.The major coal shipping railway connecting Datong and Qinhuangdao, with annual transportation volume at 421 million tonnes, is expected to carry out annual maintenance in April. China’s most-active thermal coal contract for May delivery rose more than 4% in early Tuesday trade before easing to 2.8%.Source: https://www.mining.com/web/chinas-jan-feb-coal-output-jumps-10-3-for-winter-heating/

PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) has been granted a special mining business permit (IUPK) by the Investment Minister, Head of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board Decree of the Investment Minister and Head of The Investment Coordinating Board. PT KPC is based out of Indonesia and is held 30% by Tata Power through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bhira Investments Pte Ltd.These are strategic assets to Tata Power, which also help in hedging imported coal price exposure for its generating assets. The renewal will also help to ensure a regular supply of coal for its thermal power plants.Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power, said: “We are thankful to the Indonesian government for trusting PT KPC through the renewal of our special mining business permit for coal. This will ensure a robust coal supply chain for our imported coal-based thermal plants resulting in the generation of reliable power to meet India's energy demands.”This IUPK is granted for an initial period of 10 years up until 31 December 2031 and can be extended by the provisions of the applicable regulations. This extension confers certainty of the mining operations and sup-ply of coal.Source: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/14032022/pt-kaltim-prima-coal-granted-special-mining-business-permit/

PT Timah Tbk (TINS), a tin metal manufacturer, recorded the current year’s profit of IDR 1.30 trillion in 2021, despite the correction in its revenue of IDR 600 billion, depleting from IDR 15.21 trillion in 2020 to IDR 14.60 trillion in 2021. President Director of Timah, Achmad Ardianto, announced its achievements in the Financial Report of 2021 published Monday (14/3).It was mentioned that the revenue came from export sales of IDR 13.46 trillion, which fell from IDR 14.26 trillion in 2020, and domestic sales of IDR 1.13 trillion, which climbed from IDR 951.34 billion. The customers who generated over 10% of total revenue were MIND ID Trading Limited of IDR 7.03 trillion, proliferating from IDR 1.18 trillion in 2020. In contrast, Posco International Group only brought in IDR 261.75 billion, declining from IDR 1.58 trillion in 2020. Lastly, Toyota Tsusho Asia Pacific Pte Ltd also contributed IDR 43.41 billion.Although its revenue slid off, TINS still collected a gross profit of IDR 3.43 trillion in 2021, shifting upwards from IDR 1.11 trillion in 2020. It was due to the efficiency in cost of revenue, cutting down IDR 14.09 trillion to IDR 11.17 trillion. Additionally, the efficiency in financial expenses and the gain in the net profit attributable to associates boosted its earnings before income taxes to IDR 1.72 trillion from the initial loss of IDR 269.76 billion. (LK/ZH)Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/42484/tins-scored-idr-profit

PT Dermaga Perkasapratama (DPP), a subsidiary of PT Bayan Resources Tbk (BYAN), purchases land of 271,274 m2 from PT Kariangau Power (KP) for IDR 271.27 billion. The said land will be utilised to support the expansion of coal processing in Balikpapan Coal Terminal (BCT).Low Tuck Kwong, President Director of Bayan Resources, revealed that the said bought asset is located in Kariangau, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. “KP, as the seling party, is an affiliate of the company,” he clarified in the information disclosure quoted Monday (14/2).KP manages capital worth IDR 461.94 billion, 7.31% of which belongs to Low Tuck Kwong. Gallant Power Pte Ltd also has 6.58% of them, followed by SLM Holding Pte Ltd with 86.11%. Low Tuck Kwong is a commissioner of KP and a Director of DPP, while Elaine Low is both a commissioner of KP and DPP. Lastly, Lim Chai Hock, President Director of DPP, also takes office as a director of KP. The transaction value goes below the average price in September of IDR 284.84 billion.DPP currently designs the fifth phase of expansion in BCT. It encompasses the establishment of an extra port with a ship-loading dock with a capacity of 2x4,000 tph, another extra stevedoring port with a combined capacity of 6,000 tph using a 4x15,000 tph grab crane, and an extra 0.5 million tons of coal storage capacity. (LK/ZH)Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/42475/raising-bct-capacity-byans-subsidiary-acquire-land

Amid the Ukraine conflict, prices of Indonesian coal benchmark spiked to $203.69 per tonne for March 2022. Indonesian coal miners are in discussions with firms in some Western nations that are considering alternatives for Russian coal supplies. In the wake of Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine, buyers of Russian coal and gas have been seeking alternative sources. This has also resulted in a price spike of the Indonesian coal benchmark to $203.69 per tonne for March 2022.Indonesian Coal Miners Association executive director Hendra Sinadia was cited by Bloomberg News as saying that negotiations are still in the exploratory phase with Indonesian firms prioritising existing commitments following the country’s coal export ban. In January this year, Indonesia imposed the ban after miners failed to meet the Domestic Market Obligation policy. The ban was later eased, allowing export only for firms that meet domestic production requirements.During an online panel dialogue, Indonesian Energy Ministry mineral and coal programmes director Sunindyo Suryo Herdadi said that the country aims to produce 663 million tonnes (Mt) of coal and make potential exports of 497Mt in 2022. Hendra was cited by Reuters as saying: “Another challenge is also the weather and competitiveness of our freight in order to serve the Atlantic market. “Because we believe Colombia and South Africa are in the better position to serve the market in Europe should they look for substitutes from Russia.”At the webinar, Herdadi was cited by Bloomberg News as saying that the government is mulling an option to raise the royalties to be paid by Indonesian miners amidst surging prices of the commodity. Said to be the world’s top coal exporter, Indonesia mainly exports to countries, including India, China, South Korea, Taiwan Japan, and other South-East Asian countries.Source: https://www.mining-technology.com/news/indonesia-coal-replace-russia/

Tata Power on Wednesday said its subsidiary PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) has been granted mining lease by the Indonesian government for 10 years. KPC is based out of Indonesia and Tata Power holds 30 per cent stake in it through its wholly-owned subsidiary Bhira Investments Pte Ltd."PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) has been granted a Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) by the Investment Minister / Head of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board Decree of the Investment Minister / Head of The Investment Coordinating Board, Indonesia," Tata Power said in a statement. The lease is granted for an initial period of 10 years till December 31, 2031 and can be extended by the provisions of the applicable regulations. This extension confers certainty of the mining operations and supply of coal. These are strategic assets to Tata Power which also help in hedging imported coal price exposure for its generating assets, the company said. The renewal will also help to ensure a regular supply of coal for its thermal power plants, it added.Speaking on the renewal of the mining business permit, Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power said, "We are thankful to the Indonesian Government for trusting PT KPC through the renewal of our special mining business permit for coal. This will ensure a robust coal supply chain for our imported coal-based thermal plants resulting in the generation of reliable power to meet India's energy demandsApart from KPC, Tata Power, through its subsidiaries, holds a 26 per cent stake in PT Baramulti Suksessarana Tbk mines in Indonesia. It has also signed an agreement to sell its 30 per cent stake in PT Arutmin Indonesia and associated companies in coal trading and infrastructure.Shares of Tata Power on Wednesday closed 1.12 per cent higher at Rs 229.50 apiece on the BSE.Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/tata-power-subsidiary-granted-indonesia-coal-mining-lease-for-10-years-325332-2022-03-09

Baru Gold Corp (TSXV:BARU) | (OTC:BARUF) (the “Company” or “Baru”) is pleased to announce that the continuing field analysis of the 23 new exploration targets identified in the structural study has provided promising results.Initial Field Analysis continued with mapping and sampling of artisanal workings and outcrops found within the Priority 1 Rome Target area. The analysis then progressed to mapping and sampling beyond the eastern boundary of the Priority 1 Canberra Target, which has been named Canberra East.Assay results of the samples taken from the Rome Target returned an average grade of 42.18g/t gold and 48.42g/t silver. The Rome Target contains samples obtained from strongly oxidised 0.15m and 0.2m wide quartz veins in tuffaceous andesite returning assays ranging from 41.9g/t – 72.0g/t for gold and 5.30g/t – 97.0g/t for silver.At the Rome Target, the 72.0g/t gold assay was obtained from a tuffaceous andesite containing a 0.15m wide strongly oxidised quartz vein which is shown in Figure1.Assay results from the samples taken from within the Canberra East Target returned an average grade of 2.42g/t gold and 5.27g/t silver. The Canberra East samples were obtained from strongly oxidised silica, alunite, pyrite breccia and from strongly oxidised silica clay altered tuffaceous rocks returning assays ranging from 0.31g/t – 5.88g/t for gold and 0.80g/t – 20.70g/t for silver.These initial sample results from the Priority 1 Rome Target and the Canberra East areas have provided some further ground truthing of the 23 New Exploration Targets defined by the structural study conducted by Murphy Geological Services.Mr. Frank Rocca, Chief Geologist of Baru, commented, “These are exciting times for the exploration team as we expand our knowledge of the CoW beyond the known Binebase-Bawone deposits and locate these outcrops which could develop into additional ore resources. I look forward to reporting the results of further Field Analysis by the exploration team in due course.”Drilling Progress UpdateBaru announced a 25,000-meter drilling program to test various targets identified in the Sangihe 2010 National Instrument 43-101 report which identified 835,000 ounces of gold as an inferred resource between Binebase and Bawane villages over 1.2 kilometers. To date the Company has prepared 27 drill pads.The drill rig arrived on the island on December 20, 2021 and preparations were made to commence drilling immediately. However, due to logistical problems encountered enroute to the site, the drill rig was returned to the drilling contractor. Currently, all but one final component of the drill rig is on-site which will be delivered as soon as suitable transportation is secured.The Company has met all the requirements of the Indonesian government and has been granted its environmental permit and the upgrade of its licence to advance the Sangihe project to construction and production in 2022. All permits for transportation of the final drill rig component have been secured and the Company is ready to start drilling immediately upon delivery of the final component.ABOUT SANGIHE GOLD PROJECTThe Sangihe Gold Project (“Sangihe”) is located on the Indonesian island of Sangihe, off the northern coast of Sulawesi. Sangihe has an existing National Instrument 43-101 inferred mineral resource of 114,700 indicated and 105,000 inferred ounces of gold, as reported in the Company's "Independent Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimates of the Binebase and Bawone Deposits, Sangihe Project, North Sulawesi, Indonesia" (May 30, 2017). Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company intends to proceed to production without the benefit of first establishing mineral reserves supported by a feasibility study.The Company's 70-percent interest in the Sangihe-mineral-tenement Contract of Work ("CoW") is held through PT. Tambang Mas Sangihe (“TMS”). The remaining 30-percent interest in TMS is held by three Indonesian corporations. The term of the Sangihe CoW agreement is 30 years upon commencement of the production phase of the project.Note:  The Company cautions readers that the any production decision made by the Company will not be based on a NI 43-101 feasibility study of mineral reserves that demonstrates economic and technical viability and as such, there may be involved increased uncertainty and various technological and economic risks such as the interpretation of drill results; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with our expectations; commodity and currency price fluctuation; failure to obtain adequate financing; regulatory, recovery rates, refinery costs, and other relevant conversion factors, permitting and licensing risks; general market and mining exploration risks and production and economic risks related to design and engineering, manufacturing, technological processes and test procedures and the risk that the project's output will not be salable at a price that will cover the project's operating and maintenance costs.Source: https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/2203-tsx-venture/baru/117307-baru-gold-continues-exploration-of-23-new-structural-study-targets-at-rome-and-canberra-east-and-samples-up-to-72-0-g-t-gold-and-97-0-g-t-silver-over-0-15-meters-at-rome-target.html

Coal miners in Indonesia, the top shipper, are preparing for potential new curbs on exports, a move that would add pressure to prices already at record highs. New restrictions on overseas sales are possible in either April or August — when mine output is typically lower — to make sure local power plants have sufficient supply, according to Pandu Sjahrir, chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association.“There is potential for a disruption like what happened in January,” Sjahrir said in an interview Tuesday. “We just assume they’re going to stop exports again. Indonesia paused exports in January after about 20 power plants warned they faced shutdowns because of dwindling stockpiles and a squeeze on fuel supply. Coal prices surged in response, before shipments resumed in February.Key coal prices have roared to new records this month as utilities in Europe, along with other major consumers, hunt for alternatives to cargoes from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Asia’s benchmark Newcastle coal price jumped 35% to a new record of $353.75 a ton on Friday, according to a weekly index compiled by IHS Markit and Argus.Indonesia is the world’s biggest coal exporter by tonnage, followed closely by Australia, with Russia a distant third, according to the International Energy Agency.Power plants can face supply shortages in periods of the year when coal output is crimped by factors including heavy rain, Sjahrir said. April is usually a low month for production, and this year it coincides with Ramadan, potentially further hampering output.Indonesia requires coal producers to supply at least 25% of output to meet local needs and sets a ceiling price for coal sold to local power plants at $70 per ton, a policy known as the domestic market obligation rule.The higher international coal prices rise, the more likely local miners are to sell the remainder of their output overseas, which will increase the chance of another export disruption, Sjahrir said.Source: https://www.mining.com/web/indonesias-coal-miners-are-bracing-for-new-export-curbs/

A new version of ABB Ability Performance Optimization for hoists has been launched by global technology company ABB to meet the need for increased digitalisation in the mining industry. The upgraded digital service enables condition-based maintenance and a higher level of performance optimisation through more sophisticated predictive analytics.ABB Ability Performance Optimization for hoists 3.1 ensures early detection of hoist abnormality in operations and builds on previous versions to improve uptime, availability, performance and productivity of mine hoists by providing actionable information on key performance indicators (KPIs). Hosted on the ABB Ability™ Edgenius dashboard application, “ABB Ability Performance Optimization for hoists enables quick analysis and insights into any plant operation.”The new version offers new KPI settings based on customer and ABB experts’ inputs. New KPIs can be set for service hoist availability, hoist cycle statistics, EMS statistics, brake caliper spring operation times, accumulator pre-charge pressure, deceleration variation, guide rope tension, creep distance and clutching time. Cyber security assessments and solutions for protecting customer data are included.Predictive analysis of a mine hoist’s condition prevents operations from unexpected, time-consuming and costly shutdowns. “Data is automatically collected, segregated and managed, then securely monitored and analysed to generate actionable insights that can help increase production performance, identify safety hazards and provide optimised maintenance scheduling. ABB experts can analys the data so that potential problems are identified before they occur, and necessary actions can be made at the right time. This improves the availability of the equipment and the overall safety of mining operations.”“ABB Ability Performance Optimization for hoists is a key solution and service for harnessing digitalisation for optimum condition health, safety, productivity and to support the remote operation of mine hoists. This latest version creates an even more cyber secure bridge between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) for mine hoist customers. It is an improved product, offering better insights with more KPIs and enables faster response to failure detection through mail notifications,” said Bengt Hedlund, Global Service Manager Hoisting at ABB. “As the industry looks to make operations more environmentally sustainable, digital services which support remote operation, such ABB Ability Performance Optimization for hoists, can also play a major role in reducing CO₂ emissions and removing the need for on-site service maintenance visits.”ABB says it offers “safe, optimised and fit-for-purpose hoisting solutions designed by mining engineering teams, and has more than 130 years of experience in hoisting with more than 1,000 hoisting solutions installed worldwide. Digitally connected with ABB Ability Performance Optimization for hoists, ABB hoisting solutions provides highest availability and productivity.”Source: https://im-mining.com/2022/02/09/84408/