TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. Title Media Source Page

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Daily News Update Page 1

Furthermore, in Tanjung Enim, South Direction of Tarahan-1, the capacity development of the existing line will be 25 million tons/year which has been COD in the first quarter of 2021 with a carrying capacity of 20 million tons per year and PTBA plans to operate in the third quarter of 2026. Editor : Hafiyyan

termasuk jalur baru yang terdiri dari Tanjung Enim – Arah Utara dengan kapasitas angkut 20 juta ton/tahun, beserta fasilitas dermaga baru Kramasan yang dibangun oleh PT KAI dan direncanakan akan beroperasi pada tahun 2024.

Di samping itu kapasitas angkut 5 juta ton per tahun telah berhasil dioperasikan pada Dermaga Kertapati sejak kuartal I/2020 dan akan ditingkatkan menjadi kapasitas 7 juta Ton pada kuartal IV/2021.

Selanjutnya, di Tanjung Enim Arah Selatan Tarahan-1, pengembangan kapasitas jalur eksisting menjadi 25 juta ton/tahun yang sudah COD pada kuartal I/ 2021 dengan kapasitas angkut 20 juta ton per tahun dan PTBA merencanakan beroperasi pada kuartal III/2026. Editor : Hafiyyan

United Tractors (UNTR) heavy equipment sales soared 84.21%

in the third quarter of 2021

Reporter: Akhmad Suryahadi | Editor: Anna Suci Perwitasari

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ALES of heavy equipment from PT United Tractors Tbk (UNTR) were observed to still grow until September 2021. UNTR recorded sales of 2,194 Komatsu heavy equipment units in the first nine months of 2021.

Just so you know, the realization of sales in the January-September 2021 period jumped 84.21% from the same period the previous year which was only 1,191 units.

Citing the monthly report on the official United Tractors website, sales to the mining sector still dominate until the third quarter of 2021, accounting for 49% of total sales.

Penjualan alat berat United Tractors (UNTR) melonjak 84,21%

hingga kuartal III-2021

Reporter: Akhmad Suryahadi | Editor: Anna Suci Perwitasari

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ENJUALAN alat berat PT United Tractors Tbk (UNTR) terpantau masih tumbuh hingga September 2021. UNTR mencatatkan penjualan sebesar 2.194 unit alat berat Komatsu dalam sembilan bulan pertama 2021.

Asal tahu saja, realisasi penjualan di periode Januari-September 2021 tersebut melonjak 84,21% dari periode yang sama tahun sebelumnya yang hanya 1.191 unit.

Mengutip laporan bulanan di laman resmi United Tractors, penjualan ke sektor pertam- bangan masih mendominasi hingga kuartal III-2021, yakni sebanyak 49% dari total penjualan.

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Followed by sales to the construction sector which reached 27%, sales to the forestry sector by 14%, and sales to the agribusiness sector by 10%.

As for the third quarter of 2021, Komatsu's market share is 21 percent nationally.

On a monthly basis, this subsidiary of PT Astra International Tbk (ASII) sold 304 units of Komatsu heavy equipment in September 2021. This number decreased 6.7% from sales in August 2021 which reached 326 units. Sales in August 2021 still hold the record for sales with the highest units so far this year.

Sales of heavy equipment in September 2021 are also still dominated by the mining sector, which is 56% of total sales.

Followed by sales to the construction sector by 30%, sales to the forestry sector by 9%, and sales to the agribusiness sector by 6%.

Disusul oleh penjualan ke sektor konstruksi yang mencapai 27%, penjualan ke sektor kehutanan sebesar 14%, dan penjualan ke sektor agribisnis sebesar 10%.

Adapun per kuartal III-2021, pangsa pasar (market share) Komatsu sebesar 21% secara nasional.

Secara bulanan, anak usaha PT Astra International Tbk (ASII) ini menjual 304 unit alat berat Komatsu pada September 2021.

Jumlah ini turun 6,7% dari penjualan pada Agustus 2021 yang mencapai 326 unit.

Penjualan di bulan Agustus 2021 masih memegang rekor penjualan dengan unit tertinggi sepanjang tahun ini.

Penjualan alat berat pada September 2021 juga masih didominasi oleh sektor pertam- bangan, yakni sebanyak 56% dari total penjualan.

Diikuti oleh penjualan ke sektor konstruksi sebesar 30%, penjualan ke sektor kehutanan sebesar 9%, dan penjualan ke sektor agribisnis sebesar 6%.

Coal is booming, these 10 coal stocks are big profits!

Aldo Fernando, CNBC Indonesia

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HE RECENT upward trend in coal futures prices has also boosted the performance of producer issuers on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). After tending to be hit by profit-taking throughout last week, coal stocks rebounded on Monday (25/10/2021).

Then, which coal stocks scored the highest gains in the past month?

Batu Bara Lagi Booming, 10 Saham Batu Bara Ini Cuan Gede!

Aldo Fernando, CNBC Indonesia

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REN kenaikan harga kontrak berjangka (futures) batu bara akhir-akhir ini turut mendongkrak kinerja saham-saham emiten produsennya di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI).

Setelah cenderung terkena aksi ambil untung (profit taking) sepanjang pekan lalu, saham- saham batu bara kembali menguat kembali (rebound) pada Senin (25/10/2021).

Lalu, saham-saham batu bara apa saja yang mencetak kenaikan tertinggi dalam sebulan belakangan?

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The following is a list of the top 10 coal stocks with the biggest spikes in the past month.

Berikut ini daftar 10 besar saham batu bara dengan lonjakan terbesar dalam sebulan terakhir.

10 Coal Stocks with the Highest Increases in a Month

Issuer Code Last price (Rp) % 1 Month

Bayan Resources BYAN 26400 51.51

Indo Tambangraya Megah ITMG 24850 34.69

Bumi Resources BUMI 75 33.93

Golden Eagle Energy SMMT 240 31.87

ABM Investama ABMM 1535 27.92

Indika Energy INDY 1925 25.41

Perdana Karya Perkasa PKPK 131 21.30

Golden Energy Mines GEMS 4200 18.31

Adaro Energy ADRO 1745 16.33

TBS Energi Utama TOBA 550 14.58

Source: Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) | Last price October 25, 2021

Based on the data above, shares of issuers owned by tycoon Dato Dr Low Tuck Kwong BYAN became the fastest growing, at 51.51% to a price of Rp 26,400/share.

BYAN shares managed to rebound 3.53%

on Monday, after sinking in the red zone for 5 consecutive trading days.

In second place, ITMG shares shot 34.69%

to Rp 24,850/share in the last 30 days.

Yesterday, this stock closed up 4.41%, after sinking for 4 consecutive days.

Third, the shares of the BUMI Bakrie Group, which soared 33.93% to a price of Rp 75/share. Like the two stocks above, on Monday BUMI shares rose 1.35%, breaking the trend of correction for 5 days in a row.

Below BUMI's shares, there are shares of listed companies in the Rajawali SMMT Group which rose 31.87% to Rp 240/share in a month. Unlike the three stocks above, SMMT shares managed to record an upward rally in the last 4 days.

Berdasarkan data di atas, saham emiten milik taipan Dato Dr Low Tuck Kwong BYAN menjadi yang paling melaju kencang, yakni sebesar 51,51% ke harga Rp 26.400/saham.

Saham BYAN berhasil rebound 3,53% pada Senin kemarin, setelah terbenam di zona merah selama 5 hari perdagangan beruntun.

Di posisi kedua, saham ITMG melesat 34,69%

ke Rp 24.850/saham dalam 30 hari terakhir.

Kemarin, saham ini ditutup melesat 4,41%, usai ambles selama 4 hari berturut-turut.

Ketiga, saham Grup Bakrie BUMI yang melejit 33,93% ke harga Rp 75/saham. Seperti kedua saham di atas, pada Senin saham BUMI naik 1,35%, memutus tren koreksi selama 5 hari beruntun.

Di bawah saham BUMI, ada saham emiten Grup Rajawali SMMT yang mendaki 31,87%

ke Rp 240/saham dalam sebulan. Berbeda dengan ketiga saham di atas, saham SMMT berhasil mencatatkan reli kenaikan dalam 4 hari terakhir.

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On Monday (10/25/2021), the price of coal on the ICE Newcastle (Australia) market was recorded at US$ 195.30/ton, up 2.25%

compared to last week's position on Friday (22/10).

Within a week, the price of coal fell 16.89%, in the midst of profit-taking by investors. However, in the month it still edged up 0.02%. Meanwhile, since the end of 2020 (year to date/ytd) coal prices have skyrocketed by 138.90%.

Indonesia is a blessing, China is ready to intervene in prices

Indeed, it seems th at there is no commodity whose price has risen as high as coal.

Therefore, there will definitely come a time when investors are eager to cash out the profits that are already so high. This mass selling (sell-off) caused the price of coal to be corrected.

The increase in coal prices this year has raised expectations from investors that the earnings of the producer issuers will also increase.

The recent surge in coal was supported by dwindling supplies amid increasing demand due to the opening of economic activity. Rising oil and gas prices also boosted coal prices. Moreover, currently a number of countries in the world, including China, are experiencing an energy crisis.

The crisis of electricity supply from coal- fired power plants in China has made coal imports from Indonesia reach a record high.

According to CNBC Indonesia news, Friday (22/10), based on Chinese customs data, shipments of brown thermal and coking coal from Indonesia reached 21 million tons in September, surpassing imports in August which reached 17 million tons.

Pada Senin kemarin, (25/10/2021), harga batu bara di pasar ICE Newcastle (Australia) tercatat US$ 195,30/ton, naik 2,25% dibandingkan posisi Jumat (22/10) pekan lalu.

Dalam sepekan, harga batu bara ambles 16,89%, di tengah aksi ambil untung yang dilakukan investor. Namun, dalam sebulan masih naik tipis 0,02%. Adapun sejak akhir 2020 (year to date/ytd) harga batu bara meroket 138,90%.

Indonesia Ketiban Berkah, China Siap Intervensi Harga

Memang, rasanya tidak ada komoditas yang harga naik setinggi batu bara.

Oleh karena itu, pasti akan datang saatnya investor bernafsu untuk mencairkan keuntungan yang memang sudah begitu tinggi. Aksi jual massal (sell-off) ini yang membuat harga batu bara terkoreksi.

Kenaikan harga batu bara sepanjang tahun ini menimbulkan ekspektasi dari investor bahwa pendapatan emiten produsennya akan meningkat juga.

Lonjakan batu bara akhir-akhir ini ditopang oleh persediaan yang menipis di tengah permintaan yang meningkat karena pembukaan aktivitas ekonomi. Naiknya harga minyak dan gas juga turut men- dorong harga batu bara. Apalagi, saat ini sejumlah negara di dunia, termasuk China, sedang mengalami krisis energi.

Krisis pasokan listrik dari pembangkit bertenaga batu bara di China membuat impor batu bara dari Indonesia mencapai rekor tertinggi.

Menurut pemberitaan CNBC Indonesia, Jumat (22/10), berdasarkan data bea cukai China pengiriman batu bara jenis brown thermal dan coking dari Indonesia me- nembus 21 juta ton pada September lalu melampaui capaian impor pada Agustus yang mencapai 17 juta ton.

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Furthermore, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance, conveyed that the effect of the surge in commodity prices had an effect on export duties (BK) where the realization reached Rp 22.56 trillion or the best in Indonesia's history.

"BK jumped 910.6% due to CPO commodities and base metals, nickel coal and others," Sri Mulyani said in a press conference on our State Budget for the October 2021 period, Monday (25/10/

2021).

The Post for Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) also recorded high growth. In these nine months alone, 107.6% of PNBP has been realized, or past the state budget target of Rp 320.8 trillion.

Non-oil and gas PNBP, for example, grew 78.3% to 119.8% from the target of Rp 29.1 trillion. Supported by rising prices of coal, gold, silver, copper, tin and nickel. The Reference Coal Price (HBA) in that period reached US$ 102.3/ton.

Meanwhile, according to Financial Times records on Monday (25/10), China, which banned Australian coal imports last year, agreed to buy US$1.5 billion worth of thermal coal from Indonesia in 2021.

However, in the midst of the insane spike in commodity prices recently, the Chinese government is considering intervening in sharply rising commodity prices, including coal.

China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Tuesday said it was studying steps that could be taken to intervene in coal prices. They will make every effort to get the price back into a reasonable range.

One of them is to boost production, which was hampered by floods in a number of coal-producing areas in Panda Country. On October 18, 2021,...

Lebih lanjut, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Menteri Keuangan, menyampaikan efek lonjakan harga komoditas berpengaruh terhadap bea keluar (BK) di mana realisasinya mencapai Rp 22,56 triliun atau terbaik sepanjang sejarah Indonesia.

"BK melonjak 910,6% karena komoditas CPO dan logam dasar, batu bara nikel dan lain- lain," ungkap Sri Mulyani dalam konferensi pers APBN Kita periode Oktober 2021, Senin (25/10/2021).

Pos Penerimaan Negara Bukan Pajak (PNBP) juga catatkan pertumbuhan tinggi. Di mana dalam sembilan bulan ini saja PNBP sudah terealisasi 107,6% atau melewati target APBN menjadi Rp 320,8 triliun.

PNBP non migas, misalnya, tumbuh 78,3%

menjadi 119,8% dari target Rp 29,1 triliun.

Ditopang oleh kenaikan harga batu bara, emas, perak, tembaga, timah dan nikel.

Harga Batu bara Acuan (HBA) dalam periode tersebut mencapai US$ 102,3/ton.

Sementara, menurut catatan Financial Times, Senin (25/10), China, yang melarang impor batu bara Australia tahun lalu, setuju untuk membeli batu bara termal senilai US$ 1,5 miliar dari Indonesia pada tahun 2021.

Namun, di tengah lonjakan gila-gilaan harga komoditas akhir-akhir ini, pemerintah China tengah mempertimbangkan untuk melakukan intervensi terhadap harga komoditas yang naik tajam, termasuk batu bara.

Komisi Reformasi dan Pembangunan Nasional China (NDRC) pada Selasa lalu mengungkapkan tengah mempelajari langkah-langkah yang bisa dilakukan untuk mengintervensi harga batu bara. Mereka akan melakukan segala upaya agar harga kembali ke kisaran yang masuk akal.

Salah satunya adalah dengan menggenjot produksi, yang sempat terhambat karena bencana banjir di sejumlah daerah penghasil batu bara di Negeri Panda. Pada 18 Oktober 2021,...

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On October 18, 2021, China's coal production was recorded at 11.6 million tons, up 8.6% compared to the position at the end of last month. NDRC targets production of 12 million tons per day so that coal prices can fall.

According to Refinitiv's calculations, if the production level in October 2021 is maintained until the end of the year, then in the fourth quarter of 2021 China's coal production will be 1.07 billion tons. This brings production throughout 2021 to 3.99 billion tons, up 4% compared to 2020 as well as being a record high.

Coal is a strategic commodity for China, because about 60% of the power plants there use coal power. The high price of coal makes electricity companies dizzy because on the other hand the demand is also very high. Of course, it is natural that the government of President Xi Jinping has an interest in reducing coal prices. CNBC INDONESIA RESEARCH TEAM (adf/adf)

Pada 18 Oktober 2021, produksi batu bara China tercatat 11,6 juta ton, melonjak 8,6%

dibandingkan posisi akhir bulan lalu. NDRC menargetkan produksi 12 juta ton per hari agar harga batu bara bisa turun.

Menurut perhitungan Refinitiv, apabila tingkat produksi Oktober 2021 terjaga hingga akhir tahun, maka pada kuartal IV- 2021 produksi batu bara China akan sebanyak 1,07 miliar ton. Ini membuat produksi sepanjang 2021 menjadi 3,99 miliar ton, naik 4% dibandingkan 2020 sekaligus menjadi rekor tertinggi.

Batu bara adalah komoditas strategis bagi China, karena sekitar 60% pembangkit listrik di sana menggunakan tenaga batu bara. Tingginya harga batu bara membuat perusahaan listrik kelimpungan karena di sisi lain permintaan juga sangat tinggi.

Tentu, wajar pemerintahan Presiden Xi Jinping punya kepentingan untuk menekan harga batu bara. TIM RISET CNBC INDONESIA (adf/adf)

Taking advantage of Momentum, PTBA Boosts Coal Exports

Rio Indrawan

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T BUKIT Asam Tbk (PTBA), a coal mining company part of the mining holding company or MIND ID, is optimistic that it will be able to achieve this year's coal production target of 30 million tons. The target has actually increased compared to last year's realization of 26.1 million tons.

Suryo Eko Hadianto, President Director of PTBA, said PTBA continues to monitor fluctuations in coal commodity prices by optimally utilizing the momentum of price increases, while remaining vigilant to maintain the company's performance.

Manfaatkan Momentum, PTBA Genjot Ekspor Batu Bara

Rio Indrawan

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T BUKIT Asam Tbk (PTBA), perusahaan tambang batu bara bagian dari holding tambang atau MIND ID optimistis mampu mencapai target produksi batu bara tahun ini yang mencapai 30 juta ton. Target tersebut sebenarnya sudah naik ketimbang realisasi tahun lalu sebesar 26,1 juta ton.

Suryo Eko Hadianto, Direktur Utama PTBA, menyatakan PTBA terus memantau fluktuasi harga komoditas batu bara dengan memanfaatkan momentum kenaikan harga secara optimal, sekaligus tetap waspada untuk menjaga kinerja perusahaan.

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“Until the third quarter, production was 22.9 million tons. Sales of 20 million tons.

The production target by the end of the year is 30 million tons," said Suryo Eko in a virtual press conference (25/10).

To take advantage of price momentum, PTBA also targets an increase in export volume this year. "The company targets the portion of coal exports by the end of 2021 to reach up to 47 percent," said Suryo Eko.

If PTBA targets production to reach 30 million tons, this means that exports this year are targeted at 14.1 million tons.

Despite boosting exports, said Suryo Eko, PTBA remains committed to supplying coal to PLN. PTBA is more than that. He explained that exports use the availability of a significant increase in production from 24 million tons to 30 million tons. "We allocate this excess production for export,"

he said.

Some of the main destinations for PTBA's coal exports include the Philippines, China, Vietnam. And one new country that has become a consumer of PTBA is Bangladesh.

He said that it was undeniable that PLN had problems in the supply of coal. For this reason, PTBA continues to maintain supply and even covers the supply shortage experienced by PLN.

"Commitment to PLN, what we have committed is what we do. As in the last few months supplying PLN to control the coal crisis at PLN," said Suryo Eko.

The company managed to record a net profit of Rp. 4.8 trillion, a significant increase or around 176% compared to the same period last year which was Rp. 1.7 trillion. The net profit achievement was supported by revenue of Rp19.4 trillion, a rapid 51% increase compared to the achievement in the same period last year of Rp12.8 trillion. (RI)

“Hingga kuartal III produksi 22,9 juta ton.

Penjualan 20 juta ton. Target produksi hingga akhir tahun 30 juta ton,” kata Suryo Eko dalam konferensi pers virtual (25/10).

Untuk memanfaan momentum harga, PTBA juga menargetkan ada peningkatan volume ekspor tahun ini. “Perusahaan menargetkan porsi ekspor batu bara hingga akhir tahun 2021 bisa mencapai hingga 47%,” ungkap Suryo Eko.

Jika PTBA targetkan produksi mencapai 30 juta ton artinya ekspor tahun ini ditarget- kan sebesar 14,1 juta ton.

Meskipun menggenjot ekspor, PTBA kata Suryo Eko tetap berkomitmen memasok batu bara ke PLN. PTBA sudah lebih dari itu.

Dia menjelaskan ekspor menggunakan ke- tersediaan peningkatan produksi yang cukup signifikan dari 24 juta ton menjadi 30 juta ton. “Kelebihan produksi ini yang kita alokasikan untuk ekspor,” ujarnya.

Beberapa negara utama tujuan ekspor batu bara PTBA diantaranya Filipina, China, Vietnam. Serta satu negara baru yang jadi konsumen PTBA adalah Bangladesh.

Dia menuturkan tidak dipungkiri PLN mengalami masalah dalam pasokan batu bara.

Untuk itu PTBA tetap menjaga pasokan bahkan menutup kekurangan pasokan yang dialami oleh PLN.

“Komitmen kepada PLN, apa yang sudah kami komit itu yang kami lakukan. Sebagai- mana beberapa bulan terakhir ini memasok PLN untuk mengendalikan krisis batubara di PLN,” ujar Suryo Eko.

Perseroan berhasil membukukan laba bersih sebesar Rp4,8 triliun, naik signifikan atau sekitar 176% dibanding periode yang sama di tahun lalu yang sebesar Rp1,7 triliun. Penca- paian laba bersih tersebut didukung dengan pendapatan sebesar Rp19,4 triliun, meningkat pesat 51 % dibanding capaian di periode yang sama di tahun lalu sebesar Rp12,8 triliun. (RI)

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Darma Henwa Net Profit Grows 106.8%

By: Ahmad Nabhani

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IRST semester 2021, PT Darma Henwa Tbk. (DEWA) recorded a 106.8% increase in net profit to US$1.51 million compared to US$0.73 million in the first semester of 2020. President Director of Darma Henwa, Rio Supin in a press release in Jakarta, yesterday said, this achievement is the result of the implementation of the company's three main strategies, namely reducing operating costs through efficient equipment maintenance programs, imple- menting global sourcing, and increasing the company's production fleet capacity.

Even though it managed to record profit growth, the company's revenue was corrected by 9.6% to US$152.9 million, from US$169.1 million in the first half of 2020. Then, the gross profit margin grew significantly to 10.3% compared to only 0.5%. in the first half of 2020. The decrease in revenue was due to a 39.9% decrease in subcontractor costs and a 24.1% decrease in maintenance costs.

Furthermore, operational EBITDA increased 96.3% to US$35.9 million compared to US$18.2 million in the first half of 2020. Operational EBITDA margin increased to 23.5% from 10.8% in the first half of 2020. Gross profit increased 16 times to US$15.7 million compared to US$0.92 million in the first half of 2020.

Meanwhile, operating profit increased 4.3 percent to US$6.9 million from US$6.6 million. “DEWA was able to increase its operating profit even though it experienced a foreign exchange loss of US$1.4 million due to the strengthening of the rupiah. This is...

Laba Bersih Darma Henwa Tumbuh 106,8%

Oleh: Ahmad Nabhani

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EMESTER pertama 2021, PT Darma Henwa Tbk. (DEWA) mencatatkan kenaikan laba bersih 106,8% menjadi US$1,51 juta dibandingkan US$0,73 juta di semester I/2020. Presiden Direktur Darma Henwa, Rio Supin dalam siaran persnya di Jakarta, kemarin mengatakan, pencapaian ini merupakan hasil dari implementasi tiga strategi utama perseroan, yaitu pengu- rangan biaya operasi melalui program pemeliharaan alat yang efisien, penerapan global sourcing, dan peningkatan kapasitas fleet produksi perseroan.

Meski berhasil membukukan pertumbuhan laba, namun pendapatan perseroan terkoreksi 9,6% menjadi US$152,9 juta, dari US$169,1 juta pada semester pertama 2020. Kemudian, marjin laba kotor tumbuh signifikan menjadi 10,3% dibandingkan hanya 0,5% pada semester pertama 2020.

Penurnan pendapatan dikarenakan adanya penurunan biaya subkontraktor sebesar 39,9% dan penurunan biaya perawatan sebesar 24,1%.

Selanjutnya, EBITDA operasional meningkat 96,3% menjadi US$35,9 juta dibandingkan US$18,2 juta di semester pertama 2020. Margin EBITDA operasional meningkat menjadi 23,5% dari 10,8% pada semester pertama 2020. Laba kotor naik 16 kali menjadi US$15,7 juta dibandingkan US$0,92 juta pada semester pertama 2020.

Sementara, laba operasional meningkat 4,3% menjadi US$6,9 juta dari US$6,6 juta.

“DEWA mampu meningkatkan laba operasional meskipun mengalami rugi selisih kurs US$1,4 juta karena penguatan nilai tukar rupiah. Ini adalah...

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This is a non-cash loss resulting from the conversion of the rupiah to the US dollar,”

said Rio Supin.

Good debt management as well as consistent debt payments to banks and leasing also managed to ease the financial burden by 5.2% to US$5.1 million from the previous US$5.4 million. Meanwhile,

"DEWA realizes that although there is a significant decrease in subcontractor costs and better efficiency in repair or maintenance costs, other cost elements still have not followed the decline in the first half of 2021," explained Rio.

The Company also succeeded in increasing its production capacity quite large from new equipment and reconditioning the old fleet, thereby minimizing the decrease in the volume of material moving. Thus, DEWA's profit margin increased significantly in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in the previous year, although production volume and revenue decreased. "DEWA's management continues the main strategy and targets the achievement of higher production volumes by using the Company's production fleet," he explained.

Meanwhile, the increase in production capacity will be carried out through a combination of adding a number of new heavy equipment, reconditioning/

remanufacturing old production fleets to extend their service life, as well as maximizing production fleet productivity and effective working hours. These additional heavy equipment will be placed in DEWA's coal mine projects in South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan to increase the Company's overall production capacity. "The plan is that a number of additional heavy equipment will arrive at the project location that has been determined and start operating in the fourth quarter of 2021," he explained.

Ini adalah kerugian non-tunai yang dihasilkan dari konversi nilai mata uang rupiah ke dolar AS,” kata Rio Supin.

Manajemen utang yang baik serta pem- bayaran utang yang konsisten kepada bank dan leasing juga berhasil meringankan beban keuangan sebesar 5,2% menjadi US$5,1 juta dari sebelumnya US$5,4 juta.

Adapun, “DEWA menyadari bahwa walaupun ada penurunan yang signifikan dalam biaya subkontraktor dan efisiensi yang lebih baik dalam biaya perbaikan atau pemeliharaan, namun elemen biaya lainnya masih belum mengikuti penurunan pada semester pertama 2021,” jelas Rio.

Perseroan juga berhasil meningkatkan kapasitas produksi yang cukup besar dari peralatan baru dan rekondisi fleet lama sehingga meminimalkan penurunan volume pemindahan material. Dengan demikian, margin keuntungan DEWA meningkat signifikan pada semester pertama 2021 dibandingkan dengan periode yang sama pada tahun sebelumnya, meskipun volume produksi dan pendapatan menurun. “Manajemen DEWA terus melanjutkan strategi utama tersebut dan menargetkan pencapaian volume produksi yang lebih tinggi dengan menggunakan fleet produksi yang dimiliki Perseroan,” jelasnya.

Adapun, peningkatkan kapasitas produksi akan dilakukan melalui kombinasi antara penambahan sejumlah alat berat yang baru, rekondisi/remanufaktur fleet produksi yang lama guna memperpanjang masa pakai, serta memaksimalkan produktivitas fleet produksi dan jam kerja yang efektif. Tambahan alat- alat berat ini akan ditempatkan di proyek tambang batubara DEWA di Kalimantan Selatan dan Kalimantan Timur untuk meningkatkan kapasitas produksi Perseroan secara keseluruhan. “Rencananya, sejumlah alat berat tambahan akan tiba di lokasi proyek yang telah ditentukan dan mulai beroperasi pada kuartal keempat 2021,”

jelasnya.

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Had Contracted, Coal Prices Shine Again

Author: Rayful Mudassir

T

HE PRICE of coal on the ICE Newcastle exchange has strengthened again after falling at the end of last week.

The price of coal on the ICE Newcastle exchange for the December 2021 contract was at US$195.45 per metric ton on Monday (10/25/2021). The price was up about 14.45 points compared to the previous close of trading.

On Friday's trading (22/10/2021), coal price decreased, which was at US$181 per metric ton. That figure is down quite deep from the previous record of US$272 per metric ton on October 5, 2021.

Meanwhile, for the October 2021 contract, the ICE Newcastle exchange recorded a correction of about 4 points to US$226 per metric ton compared to the previous close of trading at US$230 per metric ton.

Despite the decline, coal prices are still quite promising in line with the economic crisis that occurred in a number of countries. Some of them, such as Europe, China, and India.

Preparations for winter in the northern hemisphere cause energy demand is still quite high. In fact, several countries with commitments to clean energy users have started to operate coal-based power plants again, such as the UK and Canada.

Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Bukit Asam Tbk. (PTBA) Suryo Eko Hadianto projects that coal prices will remain high until 2022. This condition is caused by a number of main factors.

Sempat Terkontraksi, Harga Batu Bara Kembali Moncer

Author: Rayful Mudassir

H

ARGA komoditas batu bara di bursa ICE Newcastle kembali mengalami penguatan setelah sempat turun pada akhir pekan lalu.

Harga batu bara di bursa ICE Newcastle untuk kontrak Desember 2021 berada di angka US$195,45 per metrik ton pada Senin (25/10/2021). Harga itu naik sekitar 14,45 poin dibandingkan dengan penutupan perdagangan sebelumnya.

Pada perdagangan Jumat (22/10/2021), batu bara mengalami penurunan harga, yakni berada di US$181 per metrik ton.

Angka itu turun cukup dalam dari rekor sebelumnya di US$272 per metrik ton pada 5 Oktober 2021.

Sementara itu untuk kontrak Oktober 2021, bursa ICE Newcastle mencatatkan koreksi sekitar 4 poin menjadi U$226 per metrik ton dibandingkan dengan penutupan perdagangan sebelumnya US$230 per metrik ton.

Meski turun, harga batu bara masih cukup menjanjikan seiring dengan krisis ekonomi yang terjadi di sejumlah negara. Beberapa di antaranya, seperti Eropa, China, dan India.

Persiapan musim dingin di negara belahan utara menyebabkan permintaan energi masih cukup tinggi. Bahkan, beberapa negara dengan komitmen pengguna energi bersih mulai kembali mengoperasikan pembangkit listrik berbasis batu bara, seperti Inggris dan Kanada.

Sementara itu, Direktur Utama PT Bukit Asam Tbk. (PTBA) Suryo Eko Hadianto memproyeksikan harga Batu bara akan tetap tinggi hingga 2022. Kondisi tersebut disebabkan oleh sejumlah faktor utama.

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When explaining the company's performance in the third quarter of 2021, Suryo Eko said that fluctuations in coal prices still occur, but with a relatively small value.

"The price for 2022, we are quite optimistic that it can still be said to be high, although not as high as it is today," he said, Monday (10/25/2021). Editor : Lili Sunardi

Saat paparan kinerja perusahaan pada triwulan III/2021, Suryo Eko menyebutkan bahwa fluktuasi harga batu bara tetap terjadi, namun dengan nilai yang terbilang kecil.

“Harga 2022, kami cukup optimistis masih boleh dikatakan tergolong tinggi, walaupun tidak setinggi saat ini,” katanya, Senin (25/10/2021). Editor : Lili Sunardi

PTBA Supply Coal to PLN More Than DMO Quota

Rangga Prakoso

P

T BUKIT Asam Tbk (PTBA) stated that the commitment to allocate domestic coal (domestic market obligation/DMO) is more than the government's provisions.

The amount of DMO set by the government is 25% of production. Even PTBA has signed a memorandum of understanding with PT PLN (Persero) and PT KAI (Persero) regarding the Strategic Coopera- tion of BUMN Supply Chain Security for National Electricity Security last August.

"The synergy of PLN, PTBA and KAI to ensure the coal supply chain is a tangible manifestation of the role of SOEs to improve people's welfare through the reliability and continuity of electricity supply for Indonesia," said PTBA President Director Suryo Eko Hadianto in a virtual statement in the third quarter of 2021 in 2021 Jakarta, Monday (25/10).

Suryo said the DMO allocation had been determined by the government. It is committed to fulfill this. Even more than the 25% production quota. He emphasized that the portion of domestic needs is a priority even though world coal prices have skyrocketed.

PTBA Pasok Batu Bara ke PLN Lebih dari Kuota DMO

Rangga Prakoso

P

T BUKIT Asam Tbk (PTBA) menyatakan komitmen alokasi batu bara dalam negeri (domestic market obligation/DMO) lebih dari ketentuan pemerintah. Besaran DMO yang ditetapkan pemerintah sebesar 25%

dari produksi. Bahkan PTBA telah menanda- tangani nota kesepahaman dengan PT PLN (Persero) dan PT KAI (persero) terkait Kerja Sama Strategis BUMN Pengaman Rantai Pasokan untuk Ketahanan Ketenaga- listrikan Nasional pada Agustus lalu.

"Sinergi PLN, PTBA dan KAI untuk me- mastikan rantai pasok batubara, merupakan wujud nyata dari peran BUMN untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan rakyat melalui keandalan dan kontinuitas penyediaan energi listrik bagi Indonesia," kata Direktur Utama PTBA Suryo Eko Hadianto dalam laporan keuangan kuartal III 2021 secara virtual di Jakarta, Senin (25/10).

Suryo menuturkan alokasi DMO sudah ditetapkan pemerintah. Pihaknya berkomitmen memenuhi hal tersebut. Bahkan lebih dari kuota 25% produksi. Dia menegaskan porsi kebutuhan dalam negeri menjadi prioritas meski harga batu bara dunia meroket.

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"The commitment to PLN is 25% DMO regulation. PTBA goes beyond that. We maintain our commitment to PLN," he said.

The PTBA production target at the beginning of the year is 29.5 million tons.

This means that 25% of the production volume is intended for domestic needs.

Last April, the government opened an additional production quota in line with soaring coal prices. PTBA also proposed an increase in production and was approved by the government by 500 thousand tons.

Thus, PTBA's production target is 30 million tons this year.

He said coal production by the end of the year could be more than 30 million tons.

However, PTBA remains committed to exporting in accordance with the budget work plan (RKAB) that has been approved by the government.

"We adhere to the existing regulations to be able to operate properly and the existing rules of the game," he said.

Furthermore, he revealed that the steam power plant is the power plant with the cheapest production cost at the moment.

He said Indonesia still needs cheap energy to build and improve the nation's economy.

He revealed that the development of PLTU technology further reduces carbon emissions. In addition, the development of co-firing that utilizes biomass makes the carbon produced by the power plant more environmentally friendly.

"With the development of technology, the use of coal for PLTU will be needed throughout the ages until coal runs out because the cost is cheaper and coal is a gift from God," he said. Editor : Gora Kunjana

"Komitmen ke PLN secara regulasi DMO 25%. PTBA melampaui itu. Kami jaga komitmen ke PLN," tuturnya.

Adapun target produksi PTBA di awal tahun sebesar 29,5 juta ton. Ini berarti 25% dari volume produksi itu diper- untukkan bagi kebutuhan dalam negeri.

Pemerintah pada April lalu membuka penambahan kuota produksi seiring melambungnya harga batu bara. PTBA pun mengajukan penambahan produksi dan disetujui pemerintah sebesar 500 ribu ton.

Dengan begitu target produksi PTBA menjadi 30 juta ton pada tahun ini.

Dikatakannya produksi batu bara hingga akhir tahun nanti bisa lebih dari 30 juta ton. Namun PTBA tetap berkomitmen melakukan ekspor sesuai dengan rencana kerja anggara belanja (RKAB) yang telah disetujui pemerintah.

"Kami berpegang pada regulasi yang ada untuk bisa beroperasi dengan baik dan aturan main yang ada," tegasnya.

Lebih lanjut dia mengungkapkan pembangkit listrik tenaga uap merupakan pembangkit dengan biaya produksi paling murah saat ini. Dia menyebut Indonesia masih membutuhkan energi murah untuk membangun dan meningkatkan ekonomi bangsa.

Dia mengungkapkan perkembangan teknologi PLTU semakin mereduksi emisi karbon. Selain itu pengembangan co-firing yang memanfaatkan biomassa membuat karbon yang dihasilkan PLTU lebih ramah lingkungan.

"Perkembangan teknologi maka peman- faafan batu bara untuk PLTU akan di- butuhkan sepanjang jaman sampai batu bara habis karena biaya lebih murah dan batu bara itu karunia Tuhan," ujarnya.

Editor : Gora Kunjana

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Stock in Warehouse Empty, Copper Prices Rebound!

Robertus Andrianto, CNBC Indonesia

C

OPPER prices rose in trading this morning driven by demand as a hedge against inflation and concerns over low inventories.

On Tuesday (26/10/2021) at 08.06 WIB, the world copper price was recorded at US$ 9,861.50/ton, up 0.21% compared to yesterday's position.

"There is demand from a physical supply tightening perspective, but also from an inflation perspective. Inflation concerns are still here, if anything (commodity prices) move higher," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank in Copenhagen.

Investors often buy commodities as a hedge against expectations of rising inflation. Thus maintaining the current demand for copper.

On the other hand, copper inventories in the warehouses of the world's largest copper consumer, China, are shrinking.

Copper inventories at the warehouses of the ShFE (Shanghai Futures Exchange) exchange have fallen to 39,839 tonnes, their lowest in more than 12 years.

Meanwhile, LME (London Metal Exchange) metal inventories have fallen 37% over the past two months to 159,800 tonnes. CNBC INDONESIA RESEARCH TEAM (ras/ras)

Stok di Gudang Kosong, Harga Tembaga Rebound!

Robertus Andrianto, CNBC Indonesia

H

ARGA tembaga menguat pada perda- gangan pagi ini terdorong permintaan sebagai lindung nilai dari inflasi dan kekhawatiran atas persediaan yang rendah.

Pada Selasa (26/10/2021) pukul 08.06 WIB harga tembaga dunia tercatat US$

9.861,50/ton, naik 0,21% dibanding posisi kemarin.

"Ada permintaan dari perspektif penge- tatan pasokan fisik, tetapi juga dari perspektif inflasi. Kekhawatiran inflasi masih ada di sini, jika ada (harga komoditas) yang bergerak lebih tinggi," kata Ole Hansen, kepala strategi komoditas di Saxo Bank di Kopenhagen.

Investor sering membeli komoditas sebagai lindung nilai terhadap ekspektasi kenaikan inflasi. Sehingga menjaga permintaan tembaga saat ini.

Di sisi lain, persediaan tembaga di gudang konsumen tembaga besar dunia, China, menyusut. Persediaan tembaga di gudang pertukaran ShFE (Shanghai Futures Exchange) telah turun menjadi 39.839 ton, terendah dalam lebih dari 12 tahun.

Sementara itu persediaan logam LME (London Metal Exchange) telah turun 37%

selama dua bulan terakhir menjadi 159.800 ton. TIM RISET CNBC INDONESIA (ras/ras)

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Metso Outotec gears up for next generation of mining IPCC applications

Posted by Daniel Gleeson

A

SIGNIFICANT product launch in the in-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC) space was announced in parallel with the headline-grabbing co-operation agreement signed by Metso Outotec and FAM GmbH in June.

On the same day the two companies shook hands on a global non-exclusive pact to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions for IPCC and tailings management plants in mining, Metso Outotec, in a separate announcement, highlighted its Foresight™ semi-mobile primary gyratory (SMPG) station.

The SMPG station, which features the Superior™ MKIII primary gyratory crusher and patented SmartStation technology for “optimal processing”, is arguably the piece of the IPCC puzzle Metso Outotec has been missing.

Lokotrack® crushing plants have a solid reputation but only have capacities up to 3,000 t/h – one of the larger installations being a Lokotrack L200 at the Altay Polimetally copper operation in Kazakhstan. Such capacities work for most fully mobile IPCC installations, which tend to come with the highest complexity and are, therefore, a rare proposition, but semi- mobile hard-rock installations normally call for a much higher throughput.

This is where the SMPG station, with a maximum 15,000 t/h throughput capacity when equipped with the Superior MKIII PG 60110 primary gyratory crusher, fits the bill.

This station, when equipped with SmartStation technology, allows automated material size control and reduced wear, downtime and plant height, according to the company. It is also advertised as offering an up to 30% higher capacity on the same crusher size and 70%

reduced downtime with the Superior MKIII primary gyratory technology, plus up to 30%

power savings with patented Energy Saving Idlers. Maintainability is also boosted through improved crusher access and plant area isolation.

The station was included as part of an integrated IPCC solution launch from Metso Outotec that consists of crushing, conveying and stacking equipment, combined with IPCC planning and lifecycle services.

Leif Berndt, Director, IPCC at Metso Outotec, acknowledged that the SMPG is the core addition to this refreshed IPCC portfolio, but believes the company has already displayed its IPCC expertise in “a number” of large capacity (20,000 t/h) crushing and conveying system deployments in iron ore and copper applications in South America. It also recently sold a Foresight SMPG equipped with a MKIII 60110 primary gyratory to Codelco for its Radomiro Tomic operation, in Chile.

“In terms of crushing and conveying, we have carried out these building blocks to the same large capacities as others that call themselves the incumbents in this market,” he told IM.

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“With the new and experienced planning team we have in our Düsseldorf facility, we now have the in-pit development around those solutions to prove this.”

He expanded on the topic when discussing the ability to address the higher capacity IPCC segment with the SMPG: “It is one thing to look at it from the instantaneous, hourly, or shift throughput perspective; it is another thing to look at it from the design of the whole system, the plant and the mine planning to come to the customer with a workable solution that will produce, over the year, the tonnes required.

“You then need to sustain those numbers by having the right planning, system and service to sustain the crusher’s performance.

“That is where the true success for the customer is.”

Berndt says the company has all this in its offering, asserting that Metso Outotec should be considered a leading market player in the IPCC sector.

“It is quite simple: we are the number one in large capacity primary gyratory crushers; we are also the number one in service,” he said. “That covers, with technology and services, two very important aspects for a successful IPCC operation.

“We now have a very experienced IPCC team in Düsseldorf, and we are leveraging the engineering and product development group in Sorocaba, Brazil, to be closer to the markets east of the Atlantic. With that, we have the right team for planning, engineering and project delivery, the right technologies and services driving availability and, hence, productivity.”

That is even before mentioning the tie-up with FAM, which will allow Metso Outotec to play a significant role in end-to-end solutions across the IPCC space thanks to the inclusion of FAM spreaders and crawler-mounted conveyor bridges for waste IPCC applications and dry stacking of tailings.

Such a collaboration shouldn’t surprise anyone in this space.

Metso Outotec has been open – and remains open – to partnering with other OEMs for IPCC systems, evidenced by an agreement with Komatsu that sees Komatsu sizers fitted on Lokotrack systems for soft-rock applications.

“Technologies that are delivering advancements in sustainability, productivity and maintainability that are complementary to our offering, which we don’t own ourselves, are always interesting to us,” Berndt said.

Ready at the right time

Metso Outotec appears to have got its ducks in a row at exactly the right time as, with a strong environmental tailwind behind it, the IPCC market is on the up.

The need to electrify operations and reduce reliance on fossil fuels in line with ambitious decarbonisation targets is leading more and more miners to considering an element of in-pit work at their operations.

Greenfield mines are working on tradeoffs in the study phase to pit conventional truck and shovel against the use of more conveyors and in-pit crushing equipment, while brownfield operations are getting the mine models out again to see if an element of the operation can be reconfigured to make the most of fixed, semi-mobile or fully-mobile IPCC systems.

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Berndt said many clients decide to go for modularised, configurable and semi-mobile solutions for ease of construction and assembly away from the run-of-mine (ROM) pad to improve scheduling. Such a configuration could allow parallel development of, for instance, crusher pocket development and the ROM pad.

Also, when it comes to a greenfield project, the cost to “buy yourself the option of relocating the plant”, when compared with the capital associated with installing a stationary plant, is, on many occasions, “insignificant”, according to Berndt.

“As a result, customers decide to ‘buy’ that option and, when the pit develops in the future, relocate the plant,” he said. “That, in itself, is a strong driver in the IPCC market.”

Adapting existing hard-rock operations designed for truck and shovel operations by incorporating large capacity semi-mobile IPCC systems with crushing plant locations inside the pit remains a complex task from a planning perspective, but Berndt has seen an increase in interest in this option too.

There are mine engineering professionals in the Metso Outotec Düsseldorf office that have specific experience of adapting operations for IPCC solutions, he said.

“However, that being said, we all know conveyors don’t have wheels, and the cost of deploying or redeploying these conveyors requires pit ramp developments or pit pushbacks earlier in the mine process and, hence, earlier cash-out on overburden compared to a truck shovel development.”

The economic tradeoff that has led to such developments is starting to change in favour of IPCC solutions.

“In the mine investment decision and methodology selection, the net present value impact of

‘early overburden’, or pulling forward the push-back phases in conical pits to advance ramps for conveyor access, was formerly only offset against the lower production cost, which drove the payback point to a 150-200 m vertical lift component level,” Berndt said. “Carbon credits for energy saved against early cash-out will shift this payback point upward, increasing demand for IPCC solutions.”

Which is why Metso Outotec’s reinvigorated IPCC pursuit is considered timely.

More and more mining companies are becoming comfortable with carbon accounting and factoring it into project studies – whether these studies are distributed internally or externally. They are cognisant of the fact it may be a voluntary addition in the Excel spreadsheet formula today, but, in the years ahead, it will become a requirement of doing business.

“Metso Outotec, for example, has sustainability targets included in its recent renewal of a financial instrument,” Berndt said. “Access to funding and the cost, thereof, will increasingly depend exactly on that.”

Yet, this doesn’t spell the end of truck and shovel in the IPCC mining operations Metso Outotec is likely to serve, according to Berndt.

He sees an electrified future where the two elements will play happily together in the pit.

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“You need the flexibility of trucks, whether that be from a hydrogen-, battery- or trolley- powered source at some point in time, to allow for the required selectivity and blending in the pit,” he said. “Given that the deployment of conveyors is limited by very short phases and the space/geometry of a typical hard-rock mine, it is not simply a convey or truck situation; it is a matter of using truck and convey to find the best interface.

“Obviously, the more you can take out of the vertical lift component by conveyors, the better, but, in the context of a majority horizontal haul, trucks are likely to be a lot more efficient.

“The developments now happening are the truck interfacing or delivering onto the conveyors in the pit and the ability to make that a more flexible process.”

Armed with Lokotrack solutions for a fully mobile IPCC solution, its family of FIT™ and Foresight™ modular crushing stations, the new SMPG, and a strong planning, engineering and service offering, Metso Outotec says it has all the necessary elements to deliver the mining sector’s next generation of IPCC systems.

Vietnam calls for domestic coal production boost

A

GAINST a backdrop of global calls to phase out fossil fuels to help reduce global greenhouse emissions, Vietnam wants to boost domestic coal production as it grows more reliant on imports.

The South East Asian country turned from a net coal exporter to an importer in the mid- 2020s, and has been importing more of the fuel to feed its growing fleet of coal-fired power plants.

"The coal industry needs to expand its production by focusing its investment in new mines and upgrading existing ones to meet the economy's demand for coal," Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh said in a statement on Monday.

Vietnam may double the amount of coal-fired electric generation it installs by 2030 under a draft plan submitted to the prime minister for approval earlier this month.

Vietnam's coal imports rose by a quarter last year to 54.8 million tonnes, while its domestic coal output rose 5.1per cent to 48.6 million tonnes, government data shows.

During his visit to the country's largest coal miner, Vinacomin, over the weekend, Thanh said the company, along with relevant authorities, need to "work out measures to produce enough coal for electricity generation". (Editing by Alexander Smith) Source: Reuters

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Sibanye-Stillwater in talks to buy two Brazilian nickel-copper mines

Cecilia Jamasmie

S

OUTH African Sibanye-Stillwater (JSE: SSW) (NYSE: SBSW) is in advanced talks to buy two Brazilian nickel and copper assets, as miners across the globe try securing supplies of the metals used in batteries for electric cars and are key for the transition to a green economy.

The precious metals miner confirmed on Monday negotiations with affiliates of funds advised by Appian Capital Advisory LLP, regarding a potential deal that would add the Santa Rita nickel-copper and the Serrote copper-gold mines to its portfolio.

While the company did not disclose the valuation under discussion, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal the transactions could be valued at about $1 billion, including debt.

The figure matches an estimate provided to MINING.COM last month, when news of Appian planning to sell Atlantic Nickel first hit the wires.

The Santa Rita mine, operated by Atlantic Nickel, is described as one of the world’s biggest open-pit nickel sulfide assets. Located in the northeastern state of Bahia, it has an estimated annual production capacity of 16.5ktpa of nickel in sulphide concentrate.

Appian, which acquired it in 2018 as part of a bankruptcy process, says that open-pit operations are expected to last until 2028. Santa Rita will then be transitioned into an underground mining operation, extending the life of the mine from eight to 34 years, Atlantic Nickel has said.

Sibanye’s other acquisition target is Mineração Vale Verde, which has just finished construction of the Serrote mine, located in Alagoas, eastern Brazil.

Battery metals boost

The deal would be Sibanye’s fourth battery metal investment this year, following its acquisition in September of 50% of ioneer Ltd’s (ASX: INR) lithium-boron project in Nevada. Earlier this year, the company bought a 30% interest in the Keliber lithium mine in Finland and purchased a nickel processing plant in Normandy from France’s Eramet.

Nickel’s usage has grown over the past two years in lithium-ion batteries. The accelerated roll-out of EVs is making certain types of the metal popular among investors, as it can be processed into battery precursor materials.

The more traditional use of nickel is in the processing of stainless steel for kitchen appliances and utensils.

Analysts expect shortages of copper, cobalt, nickel and other industrial materials needed for the shift to a low carbon world, partly due to underinvestment in the mining sector and accelerating demand.

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Brazilian mining giant Vale resumes operations at Salobo

By Vladimir Basov

B

RAZIL's Vale today announced the resumption of conveyor belt operations at Salobo, that was halted for 18 days due to a fire that partially affected the conveyor.

The causes of the fire are being investigated, the company said in a statement.

Processing plant operations will resume today, Vale added, with ramp up of copper concentrates production by October 25.

Vale said it estimates an impact of approximately 8kt on production, already incorporated in production estimates for the 4th quarter.

On October 5, Vale reported that the production of copper concentrate at its Salobo mine was suspended due to a fire affecting a conveyor belt.

According to the company’s data, Salobo produced 172,700 tonnes of copper in 2020, nearly half of Vale's total copper output.

China Is Determined To Kill The Coal Price Rally

By Gerald Jansen

C

OAL has come back to the global energy market in a fashion that very few could have anticipated – on the back of a massive energy crunch, the consequences of which span across continents. Also, there could not have been a worse time for coal making a return, literally weeks before the much-anticipated COP26 summit takes place in Glasgow. China, the world’s largest coal producer and consumer, has played a major role in driving thermal coal prices higher. Despite gas making substantial headway over the past decade, coal still accounts for 60% of China’s electricity generation. Hence, in order to curb the coal price surge, China has decided to act before import economics starts to damage the profitability of utilities. The past couple of weeks have seen gas prices cool off a bit. Europe’s TTF month-ahead benchmark lost some €30 per MWh from its peak of €116 per MWh (the equivalent of $40 per mmBtu) attained on October 05, yet it is still six times higher year-on-year (throughout Q4 2020 they traded around €15-17 per MWh). This means that European gas-to-coal switching is here to stay for most of H1 next year at least and presuming that the overall dearth of natural gas is to continue over the upcoming months, the profitability of coal might become a year-long phenomenon. Gas futures would seem to corroborate this picture as it is only in Q2 2022 that they suddenly drop below the €80 per MWh, currently assumed at around €45 per MWh.

Asian spot LNG prices remain unseasonally elevated, with recent trades already flirting with the 40 per mmBtu mark.

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