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Monday, 20 February 12
COAL BOOM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN - SUNIL K KUMBHAT
 COALspot.com - The dawn of the 21st century has seen a shift in the world's commercial balance of power, with the dominance of the US, Europe and Japan challenged by the rapid industrialisation of hungry new economies. The rise of the so-called BRIIC nations - Brazil, Russia, India ,Indonesia and China - is giving birth to new global financial centres, vibrant industrial markets and above all surging demand for raw materials to supply new projects.
But where does environmental responsibility fit into this drive for resources?
Growing demand for thermal Coal has created a new coal boom, which is great news for Coal producing countries such as Indonesia, Australia , south Africa . The demand of coal is growing at a massive rate in Asia particularly India and China. Both the coal hungry countries are making efforts to secure supplies by acquiring Coal mines or forming Joint ventures for their new power generating plants.
The demand is fuelling the world prices of coal, although prices are still not as high as witnessed in 2008 when everything peaked before the global financial crisis but there all indications that by 2012/2013 coal prises will reach to record high.
The India and China are becoming the mainstay of the market . Both the countries are having huge Coal reserves ,but still they are importing huge qty of coal to meet there increased demand and as such they are effectively driving the world Coal market and its prices. India’s demand for coal is expected to grow at a faster rate than any other country in the world.
India's rich untapped mineral resources of more than 20 mineral types - including gold, copper, coal and bauxite but the fact that many of these resources are located in rural, heavily forested areas with predominantly tribal populations has raised concerns over the environmental impact of mining operations.
The country has a long history of environmental damage caused by both domestic and international mining companies, as well as the ecological problems from hundreds of abandoned mines in areas like Bihar's Jharia and Rhaniganj coal fields. Like China, India has been plagued by the environmental problems associated with illegal and unlicensed mining operations, which the country's Directorate General of Mines Safety has been ill-equipped to deal with due to funding deficiencies.
Similarly China has come under fire from human rights activists and environmental groups alike for its arguably lax approach to both worker safety (the country has become the mining disaster capital of the world in recent years) and environmental accountability. The Chinese Government's approach to corporate and environmental responsibility has been characterised by outside observers as simply paying lip service to the environment - hinting that ISO guidelines for mining would be welcomed - without implementing practical measures to promote change.
The environmental impact of mining operations in Brazil is also under sharper scrutiny than many other countries, primarily because its borders contain the lion's share of the Amazon rainforest, a haven for biodiversity and one of the most important eco-systems in the world.
As such, environmental awareness is particularly strong in the Brazilian mining industry. Experts from the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards are playing a leadership role in the further development of the recently introduced ISO 26000 international standard on social responsibility. Furthermore, licensing for new mining projects is often legally conditional on the drafting of comprehensive environmental impact studies, reports and extensive public consultations, particularly in areas inhabited by tribal groups.
Although carrying out mining operations in a region like the Amazon will be controversial, the environmental commitment seen here and echoed by many other Brazilian mining companies (including industry giant Vale, which has a complex environmental quality management system based on ISO 14001 standards) provides a useful model of awareness for other BRIC nations, and the global mining industry in general, to follow.
India is emerging as a fast economy, targeting 9-10% annual growth. Realizing the underlying growth potential will largely depend on it's ability to meet energy requirements. Energy sector whose growth targets inter alia depend on coal. At a 9% growth rate, the capacity requirement will be 960Gw and energy requirement will be 4,806 billion kWh. In the light of these projections, coal demand is estimated to rise many fold. Main concentration of Indian companies remains in Indonesia as many new mines are opened for exploration , exploitation and production .Today Indonesia is one of the most rapidly developing coal producing country in the world.
For a strong economy, one needs strong infrastructure and power plants. For strong infrastructure and power plants , one needs steel. Steel is the backbone of an economy, and it is metallurgical coal and thermal coal that is used to produce steel and electricity.
An increase in Coal production is the opposite of what the global climate change forums have wanted to see because coal without any doubt is one of the dirtiest and filthiest fossil fuel in terms of CO2 and when it comes to harmful emissions that most environmentalists and energy economists agree causes global warming.
Coal consumption is going in a direction that policy makers would prefer it not to go.
Critical question is whether there is a willingness amongst coal producers and power generating plants to make their technology cleaner, so it emits less greenhouse gases(GHG) which leads to global warming .Energy scientists have long been voicing concern on the rise in the level of Greenhouse gases, which leads to Global warming and climatic changes that are detrimental to economies worldwide.
The disastrous consequences for global climate change is one topic that has now taken very serious dimension but hardly been realised in a serious enough way by the nations across the world.
The new thermal plants being built are certainly more efficient than older ones. There exist technology to have emission-free power plants - the only constraint is the cost. The cost of clean coal technology is very high, yet when we look at the alternatives to coal, they are even higher than that - for example, nuclear, solar, wind. The real costs of all these alternatives are still to be determined, but there is no doubt that clean coal technologies can double the cost of coal in generating energy.
None of the alternatives appears to be commercially viable right now for required generation of energy without considering subsidies and tax incentives . If any country accepts sustainable growth and development as the way forward, it subsumes the climate change issues.
At the same time, no country can ignore the inherent contradiction in the expression ‘sustainable growth’.
Growth essentially involves exploiting natural resources for human benefit and countries have to strike a delicate balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth. It is easier said than done.
As the climate issue impinges on everyone, wisdom demands that nations sink their petty differences in approach and strategy to stem the danger from spreading further and squeezing the survival prospects of one and all.
Principally, the efforts boil down to reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, caused primarily by accelerated economic development through exploitation of fossil fuels rich in carbon dioxide.
Every action does not need to be official or based on protocols. In any case, every country need to adopt new methods and ways of doing things in optimising the use of exhaustible resources, energy and water. Corporations / Institutions must carry out energy analysis and incorporate environmental accounting practices to reduce green house gas emission levels at their facilities. The government, in turn, could enforce a form of taxation based on companies’ contribution to climate change.
Climate change is today's biggest problem, threatening mankind with extinction. The problem, largely of man's own doing, must be treated as an emergency by all.
The president of Indonesia issued a Presidential decree instructing all central and regional authorities to support the moratorium by suspending the granting of permits for the use of “primary natural forests” for two years. This Presidential decree is part of Indonesia’s efforts to comply with the bilateral agreement between Indonesia and Norway on forest conservation.
Various governments worldwide are beginning to put regulations in place and to encourage development of more sustainable sources of power generation in order to protect populations worldwide from the immediate detrimental effects on life and health, and to protect the environment for future generation.
By : Sunil K Kumbhat , Jodhpur( Rajasthan ) India
Views expressed herein are personal views of the author and not that of COALspot.com.
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Sunday, 19 February 12
THE SPOT FIXTURE RATES WERE REPORTED AT HIGH LEVELS - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - "The markets seems to holding back this week appears the momentum which picked up last week may slow down" - Capt. Reddy of ...
Sunday, 19 February 12
INDIKA ACQUIRES MULTI TAMBANGJAYA - INSIDER STORIES
Insider Stories reported that, PT Indika Energy Tbk (INDY) announced that wholly-owned subsidiaries have signed a conditional sale and purchase agre ...
Friday, 17 February 12
COLOMBIA COAL PRODUCTION, EXPORTS JUMP IN 2011: GOVT - COLOMBIA REPORTS
Colombia Reports reported that, colombia's coal production jumped 15.4% in 2011 to 85.8 million tonnes versus the previous year while exports rose ...
Thursday, 16 February 12
GEARING UP FOR THE EMERGING OIL & GAS OPPORTUNITIES IN MYANMAR
Press Release - Myanmar Ministry of Energy and Centre for Management Technology (CMT) to Co-host MOGP (Myanmar Oil, Gas & Power) Summit on 28 - ...
Wednesday, 15 February 12
HBA FOR FEB 2012, CLIMBS 2.09 PERCENT AND REACHED US$ 111.58 PER TON
COALspot.com - The Indonesian coal reference price for February climbs 2.09 percent to US$111.58 per ton after losing past three months. ...
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- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- The University of Queensland
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- PTC India Limited - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Minerals Council of Australia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Planning Commission, India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Australian Coal Association
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
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