TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. Title Media Source Page

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Daily News Update Page 1

Oleh sebab itu, Pama masih akan meng-kerjakan proyek yang ada sembari aktif mencari peluang proyek baru. Tapi, Sara enggan membeberkan proyek apa saja yang tengah dibidik anak usaha tersebut. UNTR juga tetap optimistis Pama masih akan berkontribusi cukup besar terhadap pendapatan perusahaan. "Kontribusinya tidak akan turun, rata-rata kontribusi Pama ke United Tractors stabil di 45%-48%," ungkap Sara.

Pada 2020, bisnis kontraktor pertam-bangan yang dilakoni Pamapersada mem-bukukan pendapatan bersih sebesar Rp 29,21 triliun. Ini setara 48,4% dari total pendapatan bersih UNTR tahun lalu.

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Daily News Update Page 4 On the other hand, near the end of the first

quarter of 2021, Sara admitted that UNTR sales had also started running normally. According to her, this was due to the adjustment of work rhythms with health protocols. "For the actual figures, just wait after March," said Sara.

Therefore, this subsidiary of the Astra Group is optimistic about pursuing the performance target that has been set throughout 2021.

UNTR is targeting heavy equipment sales of around 1,700 units, coal production of around 114 million tons with overburden removal of around 800 million bcm, coal sales of around 9.4 million tons, and gold sales of about 340 thousand ounces.

At the close of trading today, UNTR's share price rose 0.36% to a level of Rp 21,175 per share.

Di sisi lain, jelang akhir kuartal pertama 2021, Sara mengaku penjualan UNTR juga mulai berjalan dengan normal.

Menurut dia, hal tersebut karena didorong penyesuaian ritme kerja dengan protokol kesehatan. "Untuk angka aktualnya tunggu setelah Maret saja," ujar Sara.

Oleh sebab itu, anak usaha Grup Astra ini optimistis mengejar target kinerja yang telah ditetapkan sepanjang 2021.

UNTR membidik penjualan alat berat sekitar 1.700 unit, produksi batubara sekitar 114 juta ton dengan overburden removal sekitar 800 juta bcm, penjualan batubara sekitar 9,4 juta ton, dan pen-jualan emas sekitar 340 ribu ons.

Pada penutupan perdagangan hari ini, harga saham UNTR menguat 0,36% ke level Rp 21.175 per saham.

APBI: Coal Waste Has Been a

Company Burden

Denis Riantiza Meilanova

THE INDONESIAN

Coal Mining Association

appreciates the government's policy to exclude waste from fly ash and bottom ash (FABA) in PLTU from the category of hazardous and toxic waste (B3).

APBI Executive Director Hendra Sinadia said that the category of FABA as B3 waste has burdened operations, not only coal business actors but also other coal user industries.

"If it becomes B3 waste, the processing protocol is very strict and takes a long time and ultimately costs a lot, even though FABA can be used," he said when contacted by Bisnis, Monday (15/3/2021).

APBI : Limbah Batubara Selama

Ini Menjadi Beban Perusahaan

Denis Riantiza Meilanova

A

SOSIASI Pertambangan Batubara Indonesia mengapresiasi kebijakan pemerintah untuk mengecualikan limbah pada sisa pembakaran batu bara (fly ash and bottom ash/FABA) di PLTU dari kategori limbah bahan berbahaya dan beracun (B3).

Direktur Eksekutif APBI Hendra Sinadia mengatakan bahwa dikategorikannya FABA sebagai limbah B3 telah membebani operasi-onal, tak hanya pelaku usaha batu bara tetapi juga industri pengguna batu bara lainnya. "Kalau jadi limbah B3 itu protokol pengolahan-nya sangat ketat dan butuh waktu panjang dan akhirnya biaya besar juga, padahal FABA bisa dimanfaatkan," ujarnya ketika dihubungi

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Daily News Update Page 5 He said that in many countries FABA has

proven not to be included in B3 waste and its utilization is quite high in the infra-structure sector.

"In Indonesia, the utilization rate of fly ash is only 1 percent, bottom ash is 2 percent, meanwhile in many countries in the world fly ash is on average 45 percent and bottom ash is already 88 percent. So, we are very low," he said.

FABA waste is generated from burning coal at steam power plant facilities and is also produced from industrial boilers or furnaces in the rubber, fertilizer, mining, coal, food and beverage, textile and textile products industries, inorganic basic chemicals, pulp and paper, plastics, ceramics, and palm oil and its derivatives. Hendra said that there were hundreds of companies affected by the entry of FABA as a category of B3 waste, with an estimated FABA generated around 10 million-15 million tons per year.

He also hopes that not only the FABA from the PLTU will be exempted, but also the FABA generated by the non-PLTU industry can be categorized as non-B3 waste. Editor: Zufrizal

Dia mengatakan bahwa di banyak negara FABA telah terbukti tidak termasuk dalam limbah B3 dan pemanfaatannya cukup tinggi di sektor infrastruktur.

"Di Indonesia tingkat pemanfaatan fly ash itu cuma 1 persen, bottom ash 2 persen, sedangkan di banyak negara di dunia fly ash rata-rata 45 persen dan bottom ash sudah 88 persen. Jadi, kita rendah sekali," katanya.

Limbah FABA dihasilkan dari pembakaran batu bara pada fasilitas pembangkit listrik tenaga uap dan juga dihasilkan dari boiler atau tungku industri pada industri karet, pupuk, pertambangan, batu bara, makanan dan minuman, tekstil dan produk tekstil, kimia dasar anorganik, pulp dan kertas, plastik, keramik, dan kelapa sawit dan turunannya.

Hendra menyebut ada ratusan perusahaan yang terdampak dengan masuknya FABA sebagai kategori limbah B3, dengan perkiraan FABA yang dihasilkan sekitar 10 juta–15 juta ton per tahun.

Dia pun berharap supaya tak hanya FABA dari PLTU yang mendapat pengecualian, tetapi juga FABA yang dihasilkan oleh industri non-PLTU dapat dikategorikan sebagai limbah non-B3. Editor : Zufrizal

Erick Moves the Director of

Finance of PTBA to Pelindo II,

who is the replacement?

Chandra Dwi, CNBC Indonesia

MINISTER

of State Owned Enterprises

(BUMN), Erick Thohir overhauled the position of finance director of PT Pelindo II (Persero) on Monday (15/3/2021) yesterday.

Erick Mutasi Dirkeu PTBA ke

Pelindo II, Siapa Penggantinya?

Chandra Dwi, CNBC Indonesia

MENTERI

Badan Usaha Milik Negara

(BUMN), Erick Thohir merombak posisi direktur keuangan PT Pelindo II (Persero) pada Senin (15/3/2021) kemarin.

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Daily News Update Page 6 The reshuffle was carried out by changing

the position of finance director, previously held by Yon Irawan, then replaced by the former Finance Director of PT Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk (PTBA), namely Mega Satria. On that basis, Bukit Asam conveyed its disclosure of information today March 16, 2021 and as of last Monday, Mega Satria no longer serves as the company's finance director.

"Based on the provisions of the Articles of Association of the Company, Brother Mega Satria will no longer serve as the Company's Finance Director as of March 15, 2021," wrote in Bukit Asam's disclosure of information.

In the disclosure of information as well, the company is currently looking for a replacement for Mega Satria, in which for the time being, the company will appoint an acting task (plt) to become the company's finance director.

The company will re-inform the public regarding the plt officials when the company has determined the plt.

"Furthermore, the Company will re-submit information to the public related to the acting officers of the Company's Finance Director in accordance with the provisions of the Company's Articles of Association," he wrote. (chd/chd)

Perombakan tersebut dilakukan dengan merubah posisi direktur keuangan, yang sebelumnya di jabat oleh Yon Irawan, kemudian digantikan oleh mantan Direktur Keuangan PT Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk (PTBA), yakni Mega Satria.

Atas dasar itu, Bukit Asam menyampaikan keterbukaan informasinya pada hari ini 16 Maret 2021 dan per Senin kemarin, Mega Satria tidak lagi menjabat sebagai direktur keuangan perseroan.

"Berdasarkan ketentuan Anggaran Dasar Perseroan, maka Saudara Mega Satria tidak lagi menjabat sebagai Direktur Keuangan Perseroan, terhitung sejak tanggal 15 Maret 2021," tulis dalam keterbukan informasi Bukit Asam.

Dalam keterbukaan informasi juga, saat ini perseroan masih mencari pengganti Mega Satria, di mana untuk sementara, perseroan akan menunjuk pelaksana tugas (plt) untuk menjabat direktur keuangan perseroan. Adapun perseroan akan menyampaikan kembali informasi kepada masyarakat terkait dengan pejabat plt ketika perseroan sudah menentukan plt tersebut.

"Selanjutnya, Perseroan akan menyampai-kan kembali informasi kepada public terkait dengan pejabat pelaksana tugas Direktur Keuangan Perseroan sesuai dengan keten-tuan Anggaran Dasar Perseroan", tulisnya. (chd/chd)

Coal prices have shot up, this is a

recommendation for stocks that

are still affordable for collection

Reporter: Nur Qolbi | Editor: Anna S. Perwitasari

GLOBAL

coal prices have strengthened again.

Harga batubara melesat, ini

rekomendasi saham yang masih

terjangkau untuk dikoleksi

Reporter: Nur Qolbi | Editor: Anna S. Perwitasari

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Daily News Update Page 7 Launching Bloomberg, the coal price for

the April 2021 delivery contract at ICE Newcastle was closed at the level of US$ 87.95 per ton on Tuesday (16/3).

When compared with the price of coal at the end of last February, the price has gone up by 7.98%. Given that on Friday (26/1), the price of coal was at the level of US$ 81.45 per ton.

The movement of coal this year is also predicted to be more stable than in 2020. "This is in line with expectations of improved economic recovery and coal consumption in China and East Asia," said Samuel Sekuritas analyst Dessy Lapagu when contacted by Kontan.co.id, Tuesday (16/3).

The increasing demand this year is one of the pillars of the strengthening of this energy commodity price. CSA Research Institute analyst Reza Priyambada estimates that in the future demand for coal will still increase in line with the economic recovery. Moreover, coal is widely used as an energy material to drive factories and also for power plants.

According to her, if there is no renewable energy that can be used and empowered more efficiently and effectively, then the use of coal as an energy source will still be needed.

"In this way, this can raise the bargaining position of these commodities," said Reza. He also assessed that coal stocks that were still affordable to buy were PT Petrosea Tbk (PTRO), PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), PT Adaro Energy Tbk (ADRO), PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG), and PT Harum Energy. Tbk (HRUM).

As of Tuesday (16/3), PTRO's price earning ratio (PER) was 7.14 times, PTBA was 13.08 times, ADRO was 18.84 times, ITMG was 24.10 times, and HRUM was 27.07 times.

Melansir Bloomberg, harga batubara untuk kontrak pengiriman April 2021 di ICE Newcastle ditutup di level US$ 87,95 per ton pada Selasa (16/3).

Jika dibandingkan dengan harga batubara di akhir Februari lalu, maka harganya sudah naik 7,98%. Mengingat pada Jumat (26/1), harga batubara berada di level US$ 81,45 per ton.

Pergerakan batubara di tahun ini pun diprediksi akan lebih stabil dibanding tahun 2020 silam.

"Hal ini seiring dengan ekspektasi pemulihan ekonomi serta konsumsi batubara di China dan Asia Timur yang sudah membaik," kata Analis Samuel Sekuritas Dessy Lapagu saat dihubungi Kontan.co.id, Selasa (16/3).

Permintaan yang meningkat di tahun ini memang menjadi salah satu penopang

penguatan harga komoditas energi ini. Analis CSA Research Inistitute Reza Priyambada memperkirakan, ke depan permintaan batu-bara masih akan meningkat seiring dengan pemulihan ekonomi. Terlebih batubara banyak digunakan sebagai bahan energi penggerak pabrik dan juga pembangkit listrik.

Menurut dia, jika belum ada energi terbaru-kan yang bisa digunaterbaru-kan dan diberdayaterbaru-kan secara lebih efisien dan efektif, maka penggunaan batubara untuk sumber energi masih akan dibutuhkan.

"Dengan begitu, hal ini dapat mengangkat posisi tawar komoditas tersebut," jelas Reza. Dia pun menilai, saham-saham batubara yang masih terjangkau untuk dibeli adalah PT Petrosea Tbk (PTRO), PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), PT Adaro Energy Tbk (ADRO), PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG), dan PT Harum Energy Tbk (HRUM).

Per Selasa (16/3), price earning ratio (PER) PTRO adalah sebesar 7,14 kali, PTBA 13,08 kali, ADRO 18,84 kali, ITMG 24,10 kali, dan HRUM 27,07 kali.

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Daily News Update Page 8 Meanwhile, Dessy recommended buying

for ADRO with a target price of Rp 1,530 per share. In trading Tuesday (16/3), ADRO fell 1.21% to Rp 1,220 per share.

Sementara, Dessy merekomendasikan beli untuk ADRO dengan target harga Rp 1.530 per saham. Pada perdagangan Selasa (16/3), ADRO turun 1,21% ke Rp 1.220 per saham.

FABA Revoked from B3

Category, LIPI: According to a

Scientist's Conscience

Shelma Rachmayanti

H

EAD of LIPI's Metallurgy and Materials Research Center, Nurul Taufiqurochman, said that the removal of the Fly Ash Bottom Ash (FABA) type of coal waste from the category of Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3) is in accordance with the conscience of scientists.

For information, the revocation occurred after PP No. 22/2021 concerning the Implementation of Environmental Protection and Management revoked FABA from the hazardous waste category.

Previously, PP Number 101 of 2014 concerning Management of Hazardous and Toxic Waste, FABA was still included in the category of B3 waste.

"I think this revoke is according to the conscience of scientists, yes. Yes, we apologize, when the PP 101 2014 regulation was also amazed to see this. Where did this come from making a decision like this? How is the study? That's why I had a question at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry at that time,” he said in a virtual Trijaya Polemic event, Tuesday (16/3/2021).

Meanwhile, according to him, FABA is said to be dangerous if the amount exceeds the threshold. However, that was still far from the limit.

FABA Dicabut dari Kategori B3,

LIPI: Sesuai Hati Nurani

Ilmuwan

Shelma Rachmayanti

K

EPALA Pusat Penelitian Metalurgi dan Material LIPI Nurul Taufiqurochman mengatakan, dengan dicabutnya limbah batu barajenis Fly Ash Bottom Ash (FABA) dari kategori Bahan Berbahaya dan Beracun (B3) ini sudah sesuai dengan hati nurani ilmuwan.

Sebagai informasi, pencabutan itu terjadi setelah PP Nomor 22 Tahun 2021 tentang Penyelenggaraan Perlindungan dan Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup mencabut FABA dari kategori Limbah B3.

Sebelumnya, PP Nomor 101 Tahun 2014 tentang Pengelolaan Limbah Bahan Berbahaya dan Beracun, FABA masih masuk kategori limbah B3.

“Saya pikir dicabutnya ini sudah sesuai hati nurani ilmuwan ya. Ya kami mohon maaf ya, ketika peraturan PP 101 Tahun 2014 ini tercengang juga melihat ini. Ini dari mana membuat keputusan seperti ini? Kajiannya bagaimana? Makanya saya sempat mempertanyakan di KLHK waktu itu,” katanya dalam acara Polemik Trijaya secara virtual, Selasa (16/3/2021).

Sementara itu, menurutnya, FABA dikata-kan berbahaya jika jumlahnya melebihi ambang batas. Akan tetapi, itu masih jauh dari batas.

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Daily News Update Page 9 “I see that the number of such dangerous

ones is still far away from 0,000, what percentage is that? So yes, it is very clean, yes, in the sense that it is very clear, if this is the category, it should not be waste. In fact, there are those in this world who say it is not waste. Waste alone is not B3 waste, it is said to be a by product," said Nurul. (ind)

“Yang seperti berbahaya itu jumlahnya saya lihat ambang batasnya masih jauh 0,000 berapa persen gitu ya. Jadi ya sangat bersih lah ya dalam artian sangat clear kalau ini kategorinya memang harusnya tidak limbah. Bahkan, di dunia ini ada yang mengatakan itu bukan limbah. Limbah saja tidak bukan limbah B3 loh, itu dikatakan sebagai by product,” tutur Nurul. (ind)

United Tractors (UNTR) is

projected to lose 3.8% of

revenue from Adaro's contract

P

T UNITED Tractors Tbk (UNTR) is projected to lose 3.8% of revenue following the termination of its contract with Adaro Energy.

Based on JP Morgan's research on March 9, it was stated that Adaro was one of the largest coal miners in Indonesia and contributed 8% of Pama's annual volume. As for last year, Pama generated revenue of Rp. 29.2 trillion or contributed 48% of UNTR's total revenue of Rp. 60.3 trillion. Effectively, the loss of Adaro as a client of Pama will impact around 3.8% of UNTR's total revenue. "We believe this will put short-term pressure on UNTR, until there is further clarity from management regarding new client contracts to offset the loss of revenue from Adaro," said JPMorgan in research.

However, the Newcastle coal price recently increased to US$ 87 per ton compared to the previous mid-year which was US$ 50 per ton. Hence,…

United Tractors (UNTR)

diproyeksi-kan kehilangan pendapatan 3,8%

dari kontrak Adaro

P

T UNITED Tractors Tbk (UNTR) diproyeksi-kan kehilangan pendapatan 3,8% menyusul berakhirnya kontrak dengan Adaro Energy. Berdasarkan riset JP Morgan pada 9 Maret lalu, disebutkan Adaro adalah salah satu penambang batubara terbesar di Indonesia dan menyumbang 8% dari volume tahunan Pama. Adapun pada tahun lalu, Pama meng-hasilkan pendapatan Rp 29,2 triliun atau menyumbang 48% dari total pendapatan UNTR sebesar Rp 60,3 triliun.

Secara efektif, hilangnya Adaro sebagai klien Pama akan berdampak pada sekitar 3,8% dari total pendapatan UNTR. "Kami yakin ini akan memberikan tekanan jangka pendek pada UNTR, sampai ada kejelasan lebih lanjut dari manajemen terkait kontrak klien baru untuk mengimbangi hilangnya pendapatan dari Adaro," ungkap JPMorgan dalam riset.

Kendati begitu, harga batubara Newcastle baru-baru ini naik menjadi US$ 87 per ton dibandingkan pertengahan lalu yang mana sebesar US$ 50 per ton. Karenanya,…

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Daily News Update Page 10 Hence, it can help offset potential loss of

revenue from Adaro from the higher potential revenue from the tractor, Pama and Tuah Turangga Agung coal mining businesses.

In this research, JP Morgan assigned an overweight rating to UNTR. "We are sure that UNTR's share price will outperform the JCI index in the next 12 months," he wrote.

This positive outlook is based on increasing the share of gold revenues to more than 35% in 2021 in line with the recent gold price surging to around US$ 1,800 per troi ounce. Additionally, the lowest coal price trend at US$ 50 per tonne for the Newcastle benchmark, and a light valuation at more than 10x PER versus the ten-year historical average of 12x are supported by strong FCF generation and 4% + dividend yield.

JP Morgan recommended UNTR with a target price of Rp 33,000 per share. The target is equivalent to a price to earnings ratio (PER) of 11.5x. Where the PER valuation is below the 10-year average, which is 12x. Tuesday (16/3), UNTR's share price rose 0.35% to Rp 21,175 per share.

Karenanya, hal tersebut dapat membantu mengimbangi potensi hilangnya penda-patan dari Adaro dari potensi pendapenda-patan yang lebih tinggi dari bisnis traktor, Pama dan pertambangan batubara Tuah Turangga Agung.

Dalam riset tersebut, JP Morgan menyemat-kan peringkat overweight pada UNTR. "Kami yakin harga saham UNTR akan mengungguli indeks IHSG dalam 12 bulan mendatang," tulisnya.

Pandangan positif tersebut didasarkan pada meningkatnya kontribusi pendapatan emas menjadi lebih dari 35% pada tahun 2021 sesuai dengan harga emas baru-baru ini yang melonjak menjadi sekitar US$ 1.800 per ons troi. Selain itu, tren harga batubara terendah di US$ 50 per ton untuk benchmark Newcastle, dan penilaian ringan pada lebih dari 10x PER dibandingkan rata-rata historis sepuluh tahun sebesar 12x didukung dengan generasi FCF yang kuat dan 4%+ hasil dividen.

JP Morgan merekomendasikan UNTR dengan target harga Rp 33.000 per saham. Target tersebut setara price to earning ratio (PER) 11,5x. Di mana valuasi PER berada di bawah rata-rata 10 tahun yaitu 12x. Selasa (16/3), harga saham UNTR menguat 0,35% ke Rp 21.175 per saham.

Elimination of FABA from B3

Press BPP, Not Electricity Rates

Rio Indrawan

ASH

from coal combustion from a Steam Power Plant (PLTU) or Fly Ash Bottom Ash (FABA) was previously part of hazardous and toxic waste (B3) where processing also costs money.

Penghapusan FABA dari B3

Tekan BPP, Tidak Tarif Listrik

Rio Indrawan

ABU

hasil pembakaran batu bara dari Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Uap (PLTU) atau Fly Ash Bottom Ash (FABA) sebelum-nya merupakan bagian dari limbah bahan berbahaya dan beracun (B3) dimana peng-olahannya juga membutuhkan biaya.

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Daily News Update Page 11 However, recently the government has

removed FABA from the B3 list, so there should be a reduction in costs. Moreover, FABA which is no longer B3 is claimed to be processed so that there is added value. It's just that instead of a reduction in electricity rates, the government considers that no longer managed FABA will only have an impact on the cost of production, cannot reduce electricity rates.

Rida Mulyana, Director General of Electricity at the Ministry of ESDM, said removing FABA from the list of B3 waste will reduce the burden on management and transportation costs for electricity producers, so that the electricity BPP will also be reduced. However, this does not necessarily lower the electricity tariff at the consumer level.

"By itself, the cost (BPP) is reduced by removing FABA from B3 waste. This means that overall operating maintenance will decrease. But if the impact on electricity rates seems too far away,” said Rida in a press conference, Monday (15/3).

In addition, other benefits that can be obtained from this regulation, namely PLTU FABA waste which has not been utilized, will now be a blessing. This is because the resulting ash can be used for construction raw materials such as concrete blocks, paving blocks, and cement.

"The benefits were what used to be a burden, so it's a blessing because it can be used more easily. (Benefits) It doesn't have to end (lower) electricity rates," said Rida. The management of FABA is only 9.7 million tons or 10% of the coal demand of PLTU, which reached 97 million tons throughout 2019. Therefore, with the issuance of FABA PLTU from B3 waste,…

Namun baru-baru ini pemerintah telah menghapuskan FABA dari daftar B3, sehingga seharusnya ada pengurangan biaya. Apalagi FABA yang tidak lagi menjadi B3 justru diklaim bisa diolah sehingga ada nilai tambah. Hanya saja alih-alih ada penurunan tarif listrik, pemerintah menilai tidak dikelolanya lagi FABA hanya akan berdampak pada biaya pokok produksi, tidak bisa sampai menurunkan tarif listrik.

Rida Mulyana, Direktur Jenderal Ketenaga-listrikan Kementerian ESDM, mengatakan dicoretnya FABA dari daftar limbah B3 akan mengurangi beban biaya pengelolaan dan pengangkutan produsen listrik, sehingga BPP listrik pun berkurang. Namun, hal itu tidak serta-merta me-nurunkan tarif tenaga listrik di tingkat konsumen.

“Dengan sendirinya biaya (BPP) menjadi berkurang dengan dikeluarkannya FABA dari limbah B3. Artinya secara overall operating maintenance akan turun. Tapi kalau dampak ke tarif listrik kayaknya terlalu jauh,” kata Rida dalam konferensi pers, Senin (15/3).

Selain itu, keuntungan lain yang bisa didapatkan dari aturan ini, yaitu limbah FABA PLTU yang selama ini tidak bisa dimanfaatkan, kini bakal menjadi berkah. Sebab, abu yang dihasilkan bisa digunakan untuk bahan baku konstruksi seperti batako, paving block, hingga semen.

“Manfaatnya itu yang tadinya burden, jadi berkah karena bisa dimanfaatkan dengan lebih mudah. (Manfaatnya) Tidak harus ujungnya (menurunkan) tarif tenaga listrik,” ujar Rida.

Pengelolaan FABA baru 9,7 juta ton atau 10% dari kebutuhan batu bara PLTU yang mencapai 97 juta ton sepanjang 2019. Karena itu, dengan dikeluarkannya FABA PLTU dari limbah B3,…

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Daily News Update Page 12 Therefore, with the issuance of FABA PLTU

from B3 waste, the utilization could reach 15.3 million tons along with coal consumption for PLTU which is still high because there is a 35 thousand megawatt (MW) power plant project.

“After the RUPTL (Electricity Supply Business Plan), the coal projection is 530 million. The FABA could be 15.3 million tons. This means that there is a lot of potential to be managed,” said Rida.

So far, the government has conducted trials both in laboratories and through evaluations conducted by LIPI and leading universities. From these lab tests, FABA has a low toxic level.

"With this result, it is not just other countries following along, but indeed this is a lab result. The PLTU FABA is no longer a part of the B3 list," said Rida.

Lana Saria, Director of Engineering and Environment for Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of ESDM, added that the release of FABA from B3 waste does not mean neglecting government supervision in waste management. Later IPPs and mining companies that will manage their FABA will also need to revise environmental document permits.

"Even though he is out, that does not mean he is not being watched. It will still be guarded, if the FABA used earlier could come from the burning of the PLTU not from the broiller. Utilization planning must also be included in environmental documents. For example, after this FABA will be used, there needs to be a revised environmental document process," said Lana. (RI)

Karena itu, dengan dikeluarkannya FABA PLTU dari limbah B3, pemanfaatannya bisa mencapai 15,3 juta ton seiring dengan konsumsi batu bara untuk PLTU yang masih tinggi karena ada proyek pem-bangkit 35 ribu megawatt (MW).

“Seusai RUPTL (Rencana Usaha Penye-diaan Tenaga Listrik) proyeksi batu bara 530 juta. FABA-nya bisa 15,3 juta ton. Artinya, ini potensi untuk bisa dikelola memang banyak,” kata Rida.

Pemerintah selama ini sudah melakukan uji coba baik di laboratorium maupun melalui evaluasi yang dilakukan LIPI maupun Universitas terkemuka. Dari uji lab tersebut, FABA memiliki tingkat toxic yang rendah.

“Dengan hasil ini, bukan hanya ikut-ikutan negara lain, tapi memang ini hasil lab. FABA PLTU itu bukan lagi daftar bagian dari B3,” kata Rida.

Lana Saria, Direktur Teknik dan Ling-kungan Mineral dan Batubara Kementerian ESDM, menambahkan keluarnya FABA dari limbah B3 bukan berarti mengabaikan pengawasan pemerintah dalam penge-lolaan limbah. Nantinya para IPP maupun perusahaan tambang yang akan mengelola FABA nya juga perlu melakukan revisi izin dokumen lingkungan.

“Meskipun keluar maka bukan berarti tidak diawasi. Tetap akan dikawal, kalau FABA yang dimanfaatkan tadi bisa berasal pembakaran PLTU bukan dari broiller. Perencanaan pemanfaatan juga harus masuk ke dokumen lingkungan. Misalnya, setelah ini FABA akan digunakan, maka perlu ada proses dokumen lingkungan direvisi,” kata Lana. (RI)

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Supported by Chinese Economic

Data, Copper Prices Continue to

Rally

Author: Lorenzo Anugrah Mahardhika

C

OPPER prices posted four straight days of strengthening in line with the release of better-than-expected data on economic activity in China.

Based on Bloomberg data on Tuesday (16/3/2021), the price of copper with a three-month contract on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was observed to have increased 0.7 percent to the level of US$ 9,144.50 per ton. This price level also recorded the longest rally for this commodity since February 25, 2021. Commodity prices, known as the world's economic “compass”, strengthened after the release of Chinese economic data showing a 30 percent growth rate for a number of key sectors such as industry, retail sales and fixed income investment in the January - February 2021 period.

For information, China is a country with the largest consumption of base metals, including copper, in the world.

Although the data is distorted when compared to the economic conditions during the corona virus pandemic last year, this sentiment was strengthened as the US$ 1.9 trillion stimulus package was passed in the United States.

On the other hand, copper prices also strengthened following the mediation process with mining workers in Los Pelambres, Chile regarding wages. This has made the market increasingly optimistic that a copper supply deficit is in sight.

Didukung Data Ekonomi China,

Harga Tembaga Lanjutkan Reli

Author: Lorenzo Anugrah Mahardhika

H

ARGA tembaga mencatatkan penguatan selama empat hari beruntun seiring dengan rilis data aktivitas ekonomi di China yang lebih baik dari perkiraan sebelumnya.

Berdasarkan data Bloomberg pada Selasa (16/3/2021), harga tembaga dengan kontrak tiga bulan di London Metal Exchange (LME) terpantau sempat naik 0,7 persen pada level US$9.144,50 per ton. Level harga tersebut sekaligus men-catatkan reli terpanjang komoditas ini sejak 25 Februari 2021 lalu.

Harga komoditas yang disebut sebagai “kompas” perekonomian dunia ini menguat setelah rilis data perekonomian China yang menunjukkan tingkat partum-buhan sebesar 30 persen untuk sejumlah sektor utama seperti industri, penjualan ritel, dan investasi pendapatan tetap pada periode Januari – Februari 2021.

Sebagai informasi, China merupakan negara dengan konsumsi logam dasar, termasuk tembaga, terbesar di dunia. Meski data tersebut terdistorsi bila dibandingkan dengan kondisi ekonomi pada masa pandemi virus corona tahun lalu, sentimen tersebut diperkuat seiring dengan disahkannya paket stimulus senilai US$1,9 triliun di Amerika Serikat.

Di sisi lain, harga tembaga juga menguat menyusul proses mediasi dengan para pekerja tambang di Los Pelambres, Chile terkait upah. Hal tersebut membuat pasar kian optimistis bahwa defisit pasokan tembaga berada di depan mata.

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Daily News Update Page 14 According to a report from TD Securities

analyst Bart Melek, the increase in economic activity in China is closely related to travel restrictions being imposed by the local government during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. “This sentiment indicates an upside risk for production in the industrial sector. With reduced travel, output at factories is maintained at a high level,” he said in the report on Tuesday (16/3/2021).

Meanwhile, the tariff imposed by smelters for processing semi-finished copper is also at its lowest level since 2013. This indicates a diminishing global supply of copper.

Market participants are also waiting for the decision by the US central bank, The Federal Reserve (The Fed), regarding the benchmark interest rate this week. The global economic recovery that is running strongly is likely to make the Fed raise interest rates again in 2023. Editor: Aprianto Cahyo Nugroho

Laporan dari analis TD Securities, Bart Melek, menyebutkan, kenaikan aktivitas ekonomi di China berkaitan erat dengan pembatasan perjalanan yang tengah diberlakukan oleh pemerintah setempat selama masa perayaan tahun baru imlek. “Sentimen ini mengindikasikan risiko upside untuk produksi pada sektor industri. Dengan berkurangnya perjalanan, output pada pabrik-pabrik tetap terjaga pada level yang tingii,” katanya dalam laporan tersebut pada Selasa (16/3/2021).

Sementara itu, tarif yang dikenakan smelter untuk memproses tembaga setengah jadi juga berada di level terendahnya sejak 2013 lalu. Hal ini mengindikasikan semakin ber-kurangnya pasokan tembaga global.

Pelaku pasar juga tengah menanti keputusan bank sentral AS, The Federal Reserve (The Fed), terkait suku bunga acuan pada pekan ini. Pemulihan ekonomi global yang melaju kuat kemungkinan akan membuat The Fed kembali menaikkan suku bunga pada 2023 mendatang. Editor : Aprianto Cahyo Nugroho

Sorry! Coal Prices Are Preparing

to Plunge After to the Top

Tirta Citradi, CNBC Indonesia

THE COAL

price seems to have reached a 'peak' and is ready to face a correction. Market participants should start preparing for high volatility.

In yesterday's trade, the ICE Newcastle thermal coal futures contract price was closed down 0.28 percent to US$ 87.95/ton. Previously, the contract price which was actively traded had touched US$ 88.2/ton.

Mohon Maaf! Harga Batu Bara

Bersiap Ambles Usai ke Puncak

Tirta Citradi, CNBC Indonesia

HARGA

batu bara sepertinya sudah

men-capai 'puncak' dan bersiap untuk meng-hadapi koreksi. Pelaku pasar harus mulai bersiap dengan volatilitas yang tinggi.

Pada perdagangan kemarin, harga kontrak futures (berjangka) batu bara termal ICE New-castle ditutup turun 0,28% ke US$ 87,95/ton. Sebelumnya harga kontrak yang aktif diperjual-belikan itu sempat menyentuh US$ 88,2/ton.

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Daily News Update Page 15 Until the first quarter of this year, the price

of the black stone was still relatively higher than the same period last year. After being completely depressed, the price of coal rose.

The increase in coal prices, especially in the futures market, was also influenced by sentiment on the financial market. If you look at the trend of commodity prices, they tend to strengthen after the economic crisis occurred.

This is because during the crisis the demand for commodities slowed down and even dropped. Especially for primary energy commodities such as oil, gas and coal which are the input for various economic activities.

During the crisis, the government issued ammunition in the form of a fiscal stimulus to raise demand and the central bank took an accommodative monetary policy by reducing interest rates and loosening liquidity so that it could support this fiscal policy.

The two ammunition is expected to be a positive catalyst for the economy. When the economy revives, the same will happen to energy demand.

This is what causes commodity prices to usually rise. Especially when prices tend to be depressed during the crisis, producers, both miners and farmers, tend to reduce their production. So that limited supply amid rising demand also makes prices rise. On the other hand, accommodative macro policies also raise expectations of rising inflation. Theoretically, inflation is an increase in the price of goods and services or in an economist's point of view it is more often called currency devaluation. High inflation tends to be destructive because it can reduce wealth for cash holders. Therefore,…

Hingga kuartal pertama tahun ini, harga si batu hitam masih relatif lebih tinggi dibanding periode yang sama tahun lalu. Setelah ter-tekan habis-habisan, harga batu bara bangkit. Kenaikan harga batu bara terutama di bursa berjangka juga dipengaruhi oleh sentimen di pasar keuangan. Apabila melihat tren harga-harga komoditas cenderung menguat pasca krisis ekonomi terjadi.

Hal ini disebabkan karena saat krisis permintaan terhadap komoditas melambat dan bahkan anjlok. Apalagi untuk komoditas energi primer seperti minyak, gas dan batu bara yang menjadi input untuk berbagai aktivitas perekonomian.

Saat krisis pemerintah mengeluarkan amunisi berupa stimulus fiskal untuk mengerek naik permintaan dan bank sentral menempuh kebijakan moneter akomodatif lewat jalur penurunan suku bunga maupun pelonggaran likuiditas sehingga bisa mendukung kebijakan fiskal tadi.

Kedua amunisi tersebut diharapkan bakal menjadi katalis positif untuk perekonomian. Ketika perekonomian bangkit kembali, maka hal yang sama juga terjadi pada permintaan energi.

Inilah yang menyebabkan harga komoditas biasanya naik. Apalagi saat harga cenderung

tertekan di masa krisis biasanya para produsen

baik penambang maupun petani cenderung menurunkan produksinya. Sehingga

keter-batasan pasokan di tengah kenaikan permintaan juga semakin membuat harga naik.

Di sisi lain kebijakan makro yang akomodatif juga menimbulkan ekspektasi kenaikan inflasi. Secara teoritis inflasi adalah kenaikan harga barang dan jasa atau dalam sudut pandang ekonom lebih sering disebut dengan devaluasi mata uang.

Inflasi yang tinggi cenderung destruktif karena bisa menurunkan kekayaan bagi para pemegang uang tunai. Oleh karena itu…

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Daily News Update Page 16 Therefore, market players usually look for

hedging assets that can be used to mitigate the risk of high inflation.

In contrast to fiat currencies, which can be printed at any time and in any amount by the central bank, commodities are assets whose supply is relatively more stable. Amid high liquidity on global financial markets, many parties have purchased commodity contracts as an alternative to hedging.

The existence of inflows into these contract-based assets or contracts also contributes to shaping the price in the market.

For commodities like coal, the focus is on the Asia Pacific. Apart from being the largest coal consumer, this region is also the largest producer as well. China and India are the two giants who use the most fossil fuels.

The increasingly expansive Chinese economy has increased the prospect of coal demand for power generation and industry. Moreover, China has relaxed its import policy. However, the end of winter is also a cause for concern as it can slow down demand.

Moreover, China also usually begins to tighten its coal import policy again towards the end of the year. For the time being, the price of coal will remain volatile. CNBC INDONESIA RESEARCH TEAM (twg/twg)

Oleh karena itu pelaku pasar biasanya mencari aset lindung nilai yang bisa digunakan untuk memitigasi risiko inflasi yang tinggi.

Berbeda dengan mata uang fiat yang bisa dicetak kapanpun dan dalam jumlah berapapun oleh bank sentral, komoditas adalah aset yang pasokannya relatif lebih stabil. Di tengah tingginya likuiditas di pasar keuangan global, banyak pihak yang membeli kontrak komoditas sebagai salah satu alternatif hedging.

Adanya inflow ke aset-aset atau kontrak yang berbasis kontrak ini juga turut membentuk harga di pasar.

Bagi komoditas sekelas batu bara, focus-nya ada di Asia Pasifik. Wilayah ini selain menjadi konsumen batu bara terbesar juga menjadi produsen terbesarnya pula. China dan India menjadi dua raksasa yang paling banyak menggunakan bahan bakar fosil ini.

Perekonomian China yang kian ekspansif membuat prospek permintaan batu bara untuk pembangkit listrik dan industrinya meningkat. Apalagi China sudah melaku-kan relaksasi kebijamelaku-kan impornya.

Namun mulai berakhirnya musim dingin juga patut diwaspadai karena bisa mem-perlambat permintaan.

Lagipula China juga biasanya mulai kem-bali mengetatkan kebijakan impor batu baranya jelang akhir tahun. Untuk semen-tara waktu harga batu bara masih akan volatil. TIM RISET CNBC INDONESIA (twg/twg)

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Challenges in Technology

Implementation in the Mining

Industry

Author: Muhammad Dzaky Irfansyah, Editor: Ocky PR.

ALL

industrial sectors have been touched by technology and digitization, including the mining industry. Technology & information develops rapidly from time to time, and the mining industry always benefits from the dynamics of IT development. In addition, the demand for mineral commodities and raw materials will increase in view of the increasing population and human needs. So that technology does not only make it easier for mining workers, but also helps answer growing challenges and demands.

At least the challenges in the mining industry can be categorized into five parts. First, the challenge of energy demand in the mining industry is increasing as well as the use that must be effective. Second, the safety and health of mining workers as a profession with big risks.

Third, the access and allocation of capital needed is getting bigger so that it demands the most efficient use of costs. Fourth, fluctuations in the price of mining commodities which lead to great uncertainty for industry players. And fifth, the mining industry must shift towards a carbon neutral industry with minimal impact on the environment. Although these challenges have begun to be accommo-dated by the presence of digital technology, the mining industry still has a long way to go for full integration.

Tantangan dalam Implementasi

Teknologi di Industri Tambang

Penulis : Muhammad Dzaky Irfansyah, Editor : Ocky PR.

S

EMUA sektor industri sudah tersentuh oleh teknologi dan digitalisasi, tak terkecuali industri pertambangan. Teknologi & infor-masi berkembang dengan cepat dari waktu ke waktu, dan industri tambang pun selalu diuntungkan dari dinamika perkembangan bidang IT. Di samping itu, permintaan ter-hadap komoditas-komoditas mineral maupun bahan mentah akan semakin tinggi meng-ingat peningkatan populasi dan kebutuhan umat manusia. Sehingga teknologi tidak hanya sekedar mempermudah pekerja tambang, tetapi juga membantu menjawab tantangan dan permintaan yang semakin besar.

Setidaknya tantangan-tantangan dalam industri tambang dapat dikategorikan ke dalam lima bagian. Pertama, tantangan per-mintaan energi dalam industri pertambangan semakin meningkat sekaligus penggunaan yang wajib efektif. Kedua, keselamatan dan kesehatan pekerja tambang sebagai salah satu profesi dengan risiko besar.

Ketiga, akses dan alokasi modal yang

dibutuhkan semakin besar sehingga menuntut untuk pemakaian biaya se-efisien mungkin. Keempat, fluktuasi harga komoditas tambang yang berujung pada ketidakpastian besar terhadap pelaku industri. Dan kelima, industri

tambang harus berubah ke arah industri karbon netral dengan dampak terhadap lingkungan seminimal mungkin. Meskipun

tantangan tersebut sudah mulai diakomodasi dengan kehadiran teknologi digital, tetapi industri tambang masih harus menempuh jalan panjang untuk integrasi penuh.

(18)

Daily News Update Page 18 Technological trends in mining are not just

overcoming challenges and demands. Technology changes the mining paradigm towards sustainable mining practices (sustainability). Seeing the current situation, digital technology is always on the move to ensure modern, productive and safe mining activities. So that digital technology also has the potential to change the mining culture in the future.

The technology and digital transformation that are changing the mining culture are also changing the face and mindset of mining in the future. So technology does not just provide solutions, but also revolutionizes how the mining industry operates. The digital revolution, or what is commonly known as the Industrial Revolution 4.0, presents new challenges that must be considered from now on. The presence of disruptive technology in the midst of mining activities has changed the facade of a mine like HR. Even though it is not a new phenomenon, technological disruption has had a different impact in the 4.0 era, with aspects and speeds of disruption that are faster that have never been experienced before.

Digitization in mining requires ongoing research and investment for large-scale development to ensure future mining operations at once. So that going forward, technology industry players will also change the landscape of mining human resources and become a dominant player in investment.

Digital transformation does not exist only as a helping angel. In other words, it has both a positive and a negative impact. One example that some mining actors are concerned about is how digital technology has the potential to threaten workforce reductions. However, digital technology also creates new jobs as the scale of operations increases. Then,…

Tren teknologi dalam pertambangan pun tidak hanya sekedar mengatasi tantangan dan permintaan aja. Teknologi mengubah paradigma pertambangan ke arah praktis tambang yang berkelanjutan (sustainability). Melihat situasi terkini pun, teknologi digital selalu bergerak untuk mampu menjamin kegiatan pertambangan yang modern,

produktif, dan aman. Sehingga teknologi digital

pun berpotensi dalam mengubah budaya

tambang di masa depan.

Teknologi dan transformasi digital yang mengubah budaya tambang juga mengubah wajah dan pola pikir bertambang ke depan-nya. Sehingga teknologi tidak hanya sekedar memberikan solusi, tetapi juga merevolusi bagaimana industri tambang beroperasi. Revolusi digital, atau yang biasa dikenal sebagai Revolusi Industri 4.0, menghadirkan tantangan baru yang harus dipertimbangkan dari sekarang.

Kehadiran teknologi disruptif di tengah-tengah kegiatan pertambangan mengubah fasad tambang seperti SDM. Meskipun bukan feno-mena baru, namun disrupsi teknologi member-kan dampak berbeda di era 4.0, dengan aspek dan kecepatan disrupsi yang lebih cepat yang tidak pernah dialami sebelumnya.

Digitalisasi dalam pertambangan membutuh-kan riset masih dan investasi untuk peng mbangan berskala besar untuk menjamin operasi pertambangan di masa depan sekaligus. Sehingga kedepannya, pelaku industri teknologi turut mengubah landskap SDM pertambangan serta menjadi pemain dominan dalam investasi.

Transformasi digital hadir tidak sebagai

malaikat penolong semata. Dengan kata lain, ia memiliki dampak positif sekaligus negatif. Salah satu contoh yang dianggap prihatin beberapa pelaku pertambangan adalah bagai-mana teknologi digital berpotensi mengancam pengurangan tenaga kerja. Meskipun begitu, teknologi digital juga menciptakan lapangan pekerjaan baru yang seiring peningkatan skala operasi. Kemudian,…

(19)

Daily News Update Page 19 Then, technology also has the potential to

threaten the surrounding community who may not be ready for digitization, which is already present. This can happen if the community's education level is still low, and if there are no strong ties between the mining company and the local people. In the end, digital technology, which is here to answer the challenges in mining, also presents its own challenges that will change the face of the mining world in the future, sooner or later. Want to know more about the challenges in implementing technology in mining? Watch the webinar entitled "Technology Implementation and Challenges in Mining Industry" which will be held on March 18, 2021. This webinar will present various speakers who will discuss the future of mining with technology.

Kemudian, teknologi juga berpotensi meng-ancam masyarakat sekitar yang mungkin belum siap dengan digitalisasi yang nota-bene telah hadir. Hal ini dapat terjadi apabila

tingkat pendidikan masyarakat masih rendah,

serta jika tidak ada ikatan kuat antara per-usahaan tambang dan penduduk sekitar. Pada akhirnya, teknologi digital yang hadir untuk menjawab tantangan-tantangan di pertambangan, juga menghadirkan tan-tangan sendiri yang mengubah wajah dunia tambang di masa depan, cepat ataupun lambat. Mau tahu lebih jauh mengenai tantangan dalam implementasi teknologi di pertambangan? Saksikan webinar bertajuk “Technology Implementation and Challenges in Mining Industry” yang akan diselenggara-kan pada tanggal 18 Maret 2021 mendatang. Webinar ini akan menghadirkan berbagai narasumber yang akan membahas masa depan tambang dengan teknologi.

Aluminum price hits 9-year high on Chinese supply concerns

MINING.COM Staff Writer

ALUMINUM

prices hit a 9-1/2-year high on Tuesday, as supply concerns rose after an aluminum hub in top consumer China ordered power cuts and output curbs.

The Chinese city of Baotou in Inner Mongolia ordered some shutdowns in a bid to meet its energy consumption targets for the first quarter.

“This could translate to a 100,000-tonne annual aluminum output reduction,” CRU analyst Wan Ling told Reuters.

Aluminum for delivery in June was down 1.27% on Tuesday, after futures touched $2.245 a tonne on the Comex market in New York.

The most-traded April aluminum contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange climbed as much as 2.6% to 17,980 yuan ($2,766.15) a tonne, a level unseen since August 2011, before easing to close up 0.6% at 17,630 yuan a tonne.

The three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange advanced as much as 0.4% to $2,227 a tonne.

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Daily News Update Page 20 Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC, one of the world’s biggest producers of the metal, said it expects prices to remain elevated this year as the global economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic and vaccine rollouts continue.

Positive market sentiment from late 2020 “carried over to this year and continues to give us a strong outlook for 2021,” Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser bin Kalban told Bloomberg.

“Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics pointed to strong aluminum production in China over the first two months,” ING analysts said, referring to an 8.4% annual rise in China’s aluminum output in the first two months of 2021.

“However, investors appear to be more forward-looking, and instead focused on the ongoing production curtailments in Inner Mongolia,” they added.

Aluminum inventories in LME warehouses were hovering around their highest since March 2017, while stockpiles in SHFE warehouses hit a high unseen since April 2020 last week. ($1 = 6.5000 yuan) (With files from Reuters and Bloomberg)

The world’s three biggest coal users get ready to burn even more

By: Bloomberg

THE WORLD’S

three biggest consumers of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, are getting ready to

boost usage so much that it’ll almost be as if the pandemic-induced drop in emissions never happened.

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Daily News Update Page 21 US power plants are going to consume 16% more coal this year than in 2020, and then another 3% in 2022, the Energy Information Administration said last week. China and India, which together account for almost two-thirds of demand, have no plans to cut back in the near term.

This means higher emissions, a setback for climate action ahead of international talks this year intended to raise the level of ambition from commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gases. In the US, the gains may undermine President Joe Biden’s push to reestablish America as an environmental leader and raise pressure on him to quickly implement his climate agenda.

“We’re going to see a really marked increase in emissions,” with coal consumption at US power plants returning almost to 2019 levels, said Amanda Levin, policy analyst at the New York-based National Resources Defense Council. But if Biden implements green-energy policies as expected, “we could actually see changes pretty quickly.”

The US increase stems from higher natural gas prices and the recovery from the pandemic. For China and India, it’s a reflection of rising electricity demand that’s keeping coal as the dominant source of power generation even as they add vast amounts of solar and wind capacity.

While Biden’s Covid stimulus didn’t focus on green energy, a pending infrastructure bill is expected to include plans to fulfill his campaign pledges on climate change, making the US best poised to salvage progress in reducing global emissions. Biden has said the US will target carbon neutrality by 2050, and is convening an April meeting that’s expected to include China and India.

China’s President Xi Jinping surprised the world with his promise last year to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. India has yet to make any similar commitment.

In China’s latest five-year plan announced March 5, Premier Li Keqiang didn’t set a hard target for emissions reduction, and said coal would remain a key component of the electricity strategy. More detailed energy plans to be published later in the year could include specific steps on curbing fossil fuel consumption.

While Beijing has reduced coal’s share in the nation’s energy mix in recent years, total power consumption has risen, so its usage has also climbed. Complicating the picture is that China also has the world’s biggest fleet of coal-fired power plants, and more than half of them are less than ten years old. Because they can run for several more decades, it’ll be tough to shift to alternatives.

“All of that installed capacity doesn’t go away overnight,” said Dennis Wamsted, an analyst for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

Though a recovery in energy-intensive sectors like construction and metal production is currently boosting short-term coal demand, consumption will fall in the years ahead as China acts on climate promises, said Tang Daqian, an associate director at Fitch Bohua.

India too is a very long way from a clean grid, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this month he’s ahead of schedule for meeting the initial carbon-reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement, reducing emissions intensity 33% to 35% from 2005 levels by 2030.

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Daily News Update Page 22 While the country has implemented an ambitious rollout of solar power, coal continues to account for around 70% of its electricity generation. Consumption at power plants will rise 10% this year, and is set to increase every year through at least 2027, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

In the US, coal is rebounding after the coronavirus pandemic curtailed electricity usage and cut demand for the fuel by 19% last year. It’s also the result of gains in natural gas prices, which are up more than 40% from a year ago. When gas gets more expensive, utilities will often start burning more coal to bring down costs, even though it puts out twice the emissions. The EIA expects gas prices to remain high into 2022, pointing to strong demand for coal next year.

In the longer term, coal’s prospects are bleaker. While top users’ consumption might be rising in 2021, emerging markets that once seemed like the brightest spot for long-term demand are turning their back on the fuel as financing becomes more difficult and alternatives like gas and renewables are getting more accessible and cheaper. Bangladesh is abandoning almost all of its planned projects and the Philippines last year declared a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants.

“The trend is down, down and continuing to go down,” said IEEFA’s Wamsted.

But first, the fuel is poised for a revival that’ll lift overall global demand this year after two successive annual declines, according to the International Energy Agency. Its projection for a 2.6% increase in consumption this year reflects expectations for a pickup in every region of the world.

Coal India, the world’s largest producer, expects consumption will be boosted as industries including steel, cement and aluminum return to pre-virus levels of output. The company this month approved more than $6 billion in investments in new mines and expansions.

“There are climate-change issues about coal, but India’s energy needs won’t allow it to dump the fuel instantly,” said Binay Dayal, the firm’s technical director.

Codelco’s Radomiro Tomic copper mine in Chile to use bioleaching to

help extend its life to 2030

Posted by Paul Moore

I

N a unanimous decision, the Antofagasta Region Environmental Assessment Commission has favourably rated an Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) that prolongs the useful life of the existing Phase I hydrometallurgical plant and sulphide mining operations of Codelco’s Radomiro Tomic Division, until 2030.

The original project considered the end of the operations associated with this stage of the project in 2022, however, thanks to the incorporation of new mining resources, it will be possible to extend it for another seven years from 2023.

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Daily News Update Page 23 The exploitation of these resources requires the relocation of the current primary crushing of oxides and sulphides, which will require additional investments.

The project, together with the new resources, includes the exploitation of further mining resources via expansion phases of the north and east pits as well as implementation of bioleaching technology in Stage IV of the low grade ROM material in Dump 2. The initiative includes an investment of more than US$882 million and the generation of more than 2,000 jobs for the development of the project.

Octavio Araneda, Codelco’s Executive President, highlighted that “this is very good news for Codelco and for Chile. The continuity of Radomiro Tomic’s operations and its sustainable extension in the coming years is part of our plan to continue providing resources to the State, and thus collaborate with the development and progress of our country and of those who need it most.” For his part, the General Manager of the division, Lindor Quiroga, emphasised that the extension of the useful life of RT is good news for Calama and the Antofagasta Region in terms of economy and employment.

Russian mining giant Nornickel cuts 2021 production target due to

flooding

By Vladimir Basov

NORNICKEL

, the world's largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel and a major producer of platinum and copper, announced today that it is planning to restore full capacity of its flooded Oktyabrsky and Taimyrsky mines within the next 3-4 months.

According to the company’s statement, Nornickel’s Norilsk Division has developed a plan, with the base case scenario implying that the Oktyabrsky mine (5.0 mtpa of ore) will gradually ramp-up in the second half of April — May. The Taimyrsky mine (4.3 mtpa of ore) is scheduled to resume mining in early June, with a full recovery expected to take approximately one month.

The company is currently implementing a plan to stop the inflow of groundwaters. The process of blocking water inflow is complicated by its high intensity and the geological conditions at the locations of the cofferdams’ installation, said Nornickel. Currently, the Norilsk Division management is operating under the base case scenario. Nevertheless, due to the outlined circumstances, the risk of an additional delay in the implementation of this plan cannot be completely ruled out, the company added.

At Norilsk Concentrator, the disseminated ore processing circuit (5.2mtpa ore throughput) has been idled and repairs are being carried out. The circuit is scheduled to be ready for re-start by April 15th. At the same time, the concentrator is currently being inspected by the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) and the company’s internal auditors. The exact timing of the restart will be decided based on the results of these inspections.

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Daily News Update Page 24 The Norilsk Concentrator’s copper circuit (4mtpa of ore throughput) resumed operations on March 15th after a temporary shutdown for technical inspections and repairs. During the downtime, the Zapolyarny mine (the South Cluster project) continued mining.

According to the company’s current base case estimates, metal production volumes are expected to fall short of the 2021 production guidance as follows: nickel — by approximately 35kt, copper — by 65kt and platinum groups metals — by 22t (approximately 710koz).

Alberta coal production falls 18.1% on month in January: AER

Author: Tyler Godwin, Editor: Haripriya Banerjee

COAL

production in Canada's Alberta fell to 1.28 million mt in January, down 18.1% from 1.56 million mt in December, and 34.3% lower than 1.95 million mt in January 2020, data from the Alberta Energy Regulator showed March 16.

It was the province's lowest output for the corresponding month in over 13 years, according to AER data that goes back to 2009.

Bituminous thermal coal output dropped to 778,352 mt in January, down from the six-month high of 888,194 mt in December, but up from 644,620 mt in the year-ago month. It was the highest corresponding month for bituminous thermal coal production since 837,824 mt in January 2011.

For the sixth straight month, all the bituminous thermal coal came from Coalspur Mines Ltd's Vista thermal mine, which is owned by the Cline Group and based in Hinton. The mine produced 401,006 mt in January 2020.

Coalspur, which first started output in February 2019, produced 8.47 million mt in 2020, nearly tripling the 2019 output of 3.04 million mt.

For the seventh time in the last nine months, Alberta's other bituminous thermal mine, Coal Valley, which is owned by Westmoreland Mining Holdings, did not produce any coal in January.

Bituminous thermal coal production totaled 9.42 million mt in 2020, up 26.2% year on year and the highest for the corresponding period in over 12 years, according to AER data.

Both Coal Valley and Coalspur, which are mined from the same seam, ship all of their coal by rail to ports on the west coast of British Columbia for deliveries to power plants overseas. According to AER data, an eight-month high of 546,637 mt of bituminous thermal coal was exported from Alberta in January, up from 392,958 mt in December, and 202,298 mt in January 2020. It was the most exported since 584,562 mt in May 2020.

Japan received 325,235 mt in January, up from 157,453 mt in December and none in January 2020. It was the highest volume exported to Japan since 329,425 mt in June 2014.

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