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INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 18 No. 2 June 2015
Vol. 18 No. 2 (2015)

Law Number 4 Year 2009 has significantly created new paradigm of mining business in Indonesia, in which in the early 2014 this law has been strictly implemented. The law is fully strengthened by new regulations, which are Governmental Regulation Number 1 Year 2014 and Ministerial Regulation Number 1 Year 2014 concerning the above issue. These regulations have a significant point in increasing value added of particularly mineral and coal commodities in the next turn through processing and purifying activities. Now, the mineral commodities are no longer exported as raw materials (for instance mineral ores). This means that the time is so tight to implement the law, especially in constructing smelter for mineral processing and they must be processed as ‘pure elements’ and high rank coal. On the other hand, an effort of increasing low rank coal has been made to produce high rank coal. Unfortunately, the results still indicate ‘no commercial products’ and requires a costly technology. Therefore, a new regulation for this commodity is not issued yet. However, this effort is always carried out by researchers and engineers of research and development institutions and mining industries to try to produce commercial and profitable products. The above ministerial regulation is applied for mining industry in all parts of this country. For this reason, regional governments (province and regency) must made provincial and regional regulations by adopting the ministerial regulation. The provincial and regional regulations on mineral mining sector is significant due to two considerations: 1). What have been done by re- gions to their regional regulations on mining, as it is in line with the policy that is stated in Law Number 4 Year 2009. The regulations are decentralistic and refer to the legal procedure, and 2). The substance of the study is an evaluation to the material violation by the regulations in various regions towards several higher-level regu- lations. The existence of the law surely brings different atmospheres, and potentially results in opportunity for different kind of violation by the regulations issued by provincial, regency and city governments. This situation must be observed and analyzed for prevention. This has to be realized that any violation to regional regulation on mining will cause consequences to the development of mineral and coal mining business in the future.
Common issues on the mineral and coal mining sector in Indonesia are mainly caused by the centralistic policy instruments and the regional autonomous principles, which are not accommodated yet by the central govern- ment. Moreover, the rate of the mining investment is low due to the inconsistent regulations, particularly relating to the management aspects for the forest sector, spatial uses, environment and the central-regional authority sharing. Interest conflicts of using land, security, illegal mining cause the mining investment that is very low. Accordingly, supply of the products of the mineral and coal commodities for the domestic needs automatically decline.
The objectives of establishing the new law for the mineral and coal mining business, hopefully, can manage the policy of exploitation of the resources, which can anticipate the opportunity and the challenge in the more prosperous future in this sector. In addition, this new law can provide the law warranty and protection to the stakeholders/mining businessmen, so they have the opportunity to increase interest and investment values in the mining sector, which could optimally improve the national and regional revenues.
Five papers are presented in this current journal, because they have indicated to support the implementation of the above new mining law, particularly in management of mineral resources and its value added of these commodities. Surveys on provinces and regencies clearly indicate the increase of regional revenue without taking into consideration of the existing legal principles. This condition led to an unconducive business climate that could hinder the economic growth and the investment opportunity. The presence of the new mining law is really expected to be able to cope with those issues. Analysis on the law reveals that the law requires to be clarified by implementing regulations that have not been issued yet.
Finally, after reading and understanding all the above papers, it is really expected that all the technologies are able to respond and to implement the new regulation on increase of value added of mining product commodi- ties. Moreover, the certain new law on mineral and coal mining business, particularly the various regional regulations, will accommodate the golden bridge between research and development institutions and indus- tries, which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 18 No. 1 February 2015
Vol. 18 No. 1 (2015)

Commencing the year 2015, apparently, Indonesia’s strategic issues on mineral and mining sector are still avail- able to discuss for the stakeholders, particularly in implementing good mining practices. As emphasized by the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal (2015), one of the issues is to protect environment and sustainable development, which includes, among others, work safety and health; mining operation safety; environmental management, reclamation and post-mining; and conservation.
The good mining practices must be conducted in line with creating sustainable mining development in this country. However, ironically, illegal mining still occurs, particularly in the areas adjacent to the legal mining operation, particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatera, also lately in the Buru island in Moluccas. The illegal min- ing is not only carried out by local people, but also by other people who come from any part of the country. Ironically, some of the illegal mining operation is fully supported and funded by entrepreneurs. Environmental degradation takes place in the former mining activity, because the illegal miners never rehabilitate the land properly. It is expected that prevention and tackling of the illegal mining could be carried out by: a). Good mining practices, b). Law in order, assurance of law and conducive investment atmosphere, and c). Reduction of negative effects of environmental impacts based on Law Number 32/2009 concerning environmental man- agement and protection. In addition, to cope with the illegal mining, it is also expected as beneficial for the state. For the mining industry, community empowerment through programs of corporate social responsibility is the main objective of protecting the mining operation. The cost of the community empowerment must be part of the feasibility study. This program is oriented for preparation of the community to self-fulfillment in the post-mining era. It is a sustainable economic development based on local commodities and receiving ability of the local community. This has been accommodated by the Law Number 4/2009.
The Law Number 4/2009 concerning the mineral and coal mining has already been issued and applied in this country. It is really expected that the law can assure law certainty and business; economic growth and national and regional revenue; regional development and participation of global business and regional community; social development for community by strengthening regional institution and using local content (raw material and human resources); and environmental conservation that can guarantee ecosystem continuity. The mining operation has a significant role to provide real value added toward the national economic growth and the sus- tainable national development. The mining business permit holder has a compulsory to improve value added of mineral and coal resources in implementing mining operation, processing and utilization. This processing activity must absolutely be carried out in the country. Policy of limitation of raw materials (mining products) exports needs to be progressively implemented. In accordance with the above law, the mining enterprises will be prohibited to export the raw materials started from 2014. These enterprises have to process the materials domestically, and then exporting them in the form of finished products. By creating value added, the selling price of the products will multiply increase. Automatically, the foreign exchange and the tax in the country will increase as well. The other benefit is that the downstream industry will grow and create new job that has a potency of the regional economic growth.
In order to cope with the all above issues, the role of R&D centre is really expected to formulate regulations. The role consists of, among others, 1). Policy assessment for the making of academic paper, 2). Guidance in monitoring the construction of smelters, and 3). Research on environmental impacts of mining activity, post- mining and sustainable development.
After reading and assessing all the mining issues, it is absolutely expected that the certain new law on mineral and coal mining business, particularly the various regional regulations, will accommodate the golden bridge between R&D centre (supply aspect) and industries (demand aspect), which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 17 No. 3 OCTOBER 2014
Vol. 17 No. 3 (2014)

This is the last journal edition of 2014. Good mining practices and value added issues, particularly in implement- ing the application of the Law 4/2009 concerning mineral and coal mining in this country, always dominate the main topic along the 2014 edition. Those issues are really significant, because in the early 2014, this law has officially been implemented. All raw minerals may not be exported prior to being processed in smelters. However, the mineral product grade (concentrate) may be exported for a limited time for mining companies in completing the construction of smelter until 2017. It was predicted by many economists and related experts from universities in Indonesia, President Susilo B. Yudhoyono signed a governmental regulation concerning the implementation of the Law 4/2009. This regulation absolutely become a guidance of the implementation to ban export of ores in the early 2014. There are six minerals banned to be exported, in which they must be exported with grade of reaching 100%, i.e. gold, bauxite, iron ore, nickel, coal and copper. Even currently, President Joko Widodo strictly supervises the implementation of the regulation. Supporting this supervision, the Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission is involved to the verification of the mining activities in the country in implementing those issues.
It is predicted that the government must cope with the impacts that can happen when the regulation imple- mented. One of these impacts absolutely includes termination of employment. The problem, of course, will be a concern for the mining employees. For this reason, the government should give a policy that still permit to export concentrate with certain grade limits until the construction of smelters. Besides saving the employees, this regulation can be a concession for regional economy, because the mining operation still carries out.
Articles related to this law emphasise that holders of mining licences must increase value added of mineral and coal resources in the implementation of mining operation, processing and utilisation. The holders of mining licence of operation and production must domestically conduct process the mineral and coal. It is also stressed that environmental issues are the main points to be managed wisely. In addition, most small-scale mining always gives rise to degraded environment and causes air and water pollution to the communities around the mining operation. This issue must be solved in order to create a healthy environment and to make a harmonious living between the mining company and the surrounding communities.
Five papers published in this journal are contributed by researchers and lecturers from R&D institutions and universities. Some of the authors are well-known figure for their discipline and have contributed their brilliant ideas to improve the mineral and coal technology. The rest is young researchers who are interested in manag- ing a good environment due to mining operation in this country.
From all the papers published in this journal, R&D institutions should do something new to anticipate all the above challenges rather than to cope with all problems. It is really expected that the Law 4/2009 and related regulations must be implemented to accommodate the good mining practices and value added issues including the aspects of exploration, mining environment and economics of the mineral and coal commodities, which are perfectly processed in line with the user demands. Of course, this opportunity should be developed and this is a big challenge for researchers and engineers to prove their capabilities for the better future of this country.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 17 No. 2 JUNE 2014
Vol. 17 No. 2 (2014)

The Law Number 4 Year 2009 concerning mineral and coal mining firmly emphasizes that all mining opera- tions in this country must be carried out by applying good mining practices, because devastated environments due to these mining operations occur in all part of the country. Moreover, in order to reduce mine accidents, a good mining design must be prepared by providing an accurate geotechnical investigation. The government has a great concern for these conditions. Mining enterprises that neglect an environmentally friendly mining are terminated their mining licenses, and they must pay cost of the degraded environment. For the environ- mental issues, coal-steamed power plants have been studied regarding their pollutant products. Some of the powers are built by mining companies. Besides this environmental issue, the significant point of the law is to improve value added of mining products. Prior to implementing this law, all mineral and coal are exported as raw materials and this has caused loss of profit for the country revenue.
Papers presenting in this current journal relate to the above issues. The main point of papers tries to implement good mining practices, to overcome the environmental issues and to improve value added of mineral.
A geophysical investigation was conducted to explore a gold-bearing sulphidic deposit in the Sukabumi dis- trict. The potential deposit was found in quartz vein. This has provided a promising deposit that can further be explored in detail, so the reserve of the deposit can be illustrated for the mining purpose.
Because of the occurrence of mining failure in a coal mining at East Kalimantan, some investigations have been carried out, particularly in evaluating the slope stability by applying a certain method. This results in a safety condition in the mining operation, and it is recommended to make a safety-berm to prevent the mining failure.
Coal power plants in Indonesia create a huge amount of coal combustion products. This will potentially be an environmentally serious problem in the future. For this reason, a research was carried out to measure heavy metal contents in the coal. The result shows that boron is the dominant element content in the coal that tends to enrich fly ash. It is suggested to assess other heavy metal concentrations, especially for their characteristics that can affect the surrounding environment.
Kaolin from the Tapin area cannot directly be utilized as raw material for white ware ceramics because of certain chemical contents. This commodity must be upgraded its quality by fulfilling by a certain specification of ceramics. Based on several parameters of chemical contents, particle size density, whiteness and plasticity, the kaolin quality develops significantly and can be used for certain porcelain.
A kinetic model was applied for aluminum dissolution of West Kalimantan bauxite. The study shows that the dissolution was fluctuated due to the certain formation and as result of the reaction of sodium aluminate solution. This study also reveals alumina dissolution in which mechanism is altered from interface chemical reaction with energy activation to diffusion through reaction product (ash) layer.
After reading all the above papers, it is really expected that the mining issues in this country could be solved properly in terms of environment, value added, economy and policy. It could be successful by applying the good mining practices supported by the law and related supporting policies. This needs synergy among the stakeholders to build a prosperous future in the mining sector.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 17 No. 1 FEBRUARY 2014
Vol. 17 No. 1 (2014)

Law Number 4 Year 2009 has absolutely made new paradigm of mining business in Indonesia, in which in the early 2014 this law is strictly implemented. The law has a significant point in increasing value added of particularly mineral and coal commodities in the next turn. Now, the mineral commodities are no longer ex- ported as raw materials (for instance mineral ores). This means that the time is so tight to implement the law, especially in constructing smelter for mineral processing and they must be processed as ‘pure elements’ and high rank coal. This regulation is issued as Ministerial Regulation number 01 year 2014 regarding increases of value added of minerals through processing and purifying activities. On the other hand, an effort of increasing low rank coal has been made to produce high rank coal. Unfortunately, the results still indicate ‘no commercial products’ and requires a costly technology. Therefore, a new regulation for this commodity is not issued yet. However, this effort is always carried out by researchers and engineers of research and development institutions and mining industries to try to produce commercial and profitable products. The above ministerial regulation is applied for mining industry in all parts of this country. For this reason, regional governments (province and regency) must made provincial and regional regulations by adopting the ministerial regulation. The provincial and regional regulations on mineral mining sector is significant due to two considerations: 1). What have been done by regions to their regional regulations on mining, as it is in line with the policy that is stated in Law Number 4 Year 2009. The regulations are decentralistic and refer to the legal procedure, and 2). The substance of the study is an evaluation to the material violation by the regulations in various regions towards several higher-level regulations. The existence of the law surely brings different atmospheres, and potentially results in opportunity for different kind of violation by the regulations issued by provincial, regency and city governments. This situation must be observed and analyzed for prevention. This has to be realized that any violation to regional regulation on mining will cause consequences to the development of mineral and coal mining business in the future.
Common issues on the mineral and coal mining sector in Indonesia are mainly caused by the centralistic policy instruments and the regional autonomous principles, which are not accommodated yet by the central government. Moreover, the rate of the mining investment is low due to the inconsistent regulations, particularly relating to the management aspects for the forest sector, spatial uses, environment and the central-regional authority sharing. Interest conflicts of using land, security, illegal mining cause the mining investment that is very low. Accordingly, supply of the products of the mineral and coal commodities for the domestic needs automatically decline.
The objectives of establishing the new law for the mineral and coal mining business, hopefully, can manage the policy of exploitation of the resources, which can anticipate the opportunity and the challenge in the more prosperous future in this sector. In addition, this new law can provide the law warranty and protection to the stakeholders/mining businessmen, so they have the opportunity to increase interest and investment values in the mining sector, which could optimally improve the national and regional revenues.
Five papers are presented in this current journal, because they have indicated to support the implementation of the above new mining law, particularly in management of mineral and coal resources and its value added of these commodities. Surveys on provinces and regencies clearly indicate the increase of regional revenue without taking into consideration of the existing legal principles. This condition led to an unconducive business climate that could hinder the economic growth and the investment opportunity. The presence of the new mining law is really expected to be able to cope with those issues. Analysis on the law reveals that the law requires to be clarified by implementing regulations that have not been issued yet.
Finally, after reading and understanding all the above papers, it is really expected that all the technologies are able to respond and to implement the new regulation on increase of value added of mining product commodities. Moreover, the certain new law on mineral and coal mining business, particularly the various regional regulations, will accommodate the golden bridge between research and development institutions and industries, which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 16 No. 3 OCTOBER 2013
Vol. 16 No. 3 (2013)

This last journal of the 2013 edition really emphasizes in good mining practices, particularly in implement- ing the application of the Law 4/2009 concerning mineral and coal mining. This agenda is really significant, because in the early 2014, this law will officially be implemented. All raw minerals that are directly sold may not be exported. The main point is that mineral product grade (concentrate) which may be exported and limited time for mining companies in completing the facilities of smelter. It has been predicted that President Susilo B. Yudhoyono will immediately sign a governmental regulation concerning the implementation of the Law 4/2009. This regulation will be a guidance of the implementation to ban export of ores in the early 2014. There are 6 minerals banned to be exported and they must be exported with grade of reaching 100%, i.e. gold, bauxite, iron ore, nickel, coal and copper.
It is predicted that the government must cope with the impacts that can happen when the regulation imple- mented. One of these impacts absolutely include termination of employment. The problem, of course, will be a concern for the mining workers. For this reason, the government should give a policy that still permit to export concentrate with certain grade limits until the construction of smelters. Besides saving the workers, this regulation can be a concession for regional economy, because the mining operation still carries out.
Articles related to this law emphasise that holders of mining licences must increase value added of mineral and coal resources in the implementation of mining operation, processing and utilisation. The holders of mining licence of operation and production must domestically conduct process the mineral and coal. It is also stressed that environmental issues are the main points to be managed wisely. In addition, most small-scale mining always gives rise to degraded environment and causes air and water pollution to the communities around the mining operation. This issue must be solved in order to create a healthy environment and to make a harmonious living between the mining company and the surrounding communities.
Five papers presented in this journal are contributed by researchers and lecturers from R&D centre and university. Some of the authors are well-known figure for their discipline and have contributed their bril- liant ideas to improve the mineral and coal technology. The rest is young researchers who are interested in managing a good environment due to mining operation in this country.
From all the papers published in this journal, R&D centre should do something new to anticipate all the above challenges rather than to cope with all problems. It is really expected that the Law 4/2009 must be implemented to accommodate the good mining practices including the aspects of exploration, mining en- vironment and economics of the mineral and coal commodities, which are perfectly processed in line with the user demands. The applied technologies for mineral and coal should be improved to obtain value added of the commodities.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 16 No. 2 June 2013
Vol. 16 No. 2 (2013)

It is now absolutely clear that the law number 4 year 2009 about mineral and coal mining has already reflected to implement a new paradigm in the mining sector, in which the mining must be conducted in accordance with benefit, justice and balance; national interest; participation, transparency and accountability; as well as sustainable development and friendly environment. In other words, this can be stated that this country faces a new challenge and opportunity in exploiting mineral resources that have a huge reserve with a certain regulation. Unfortunately, the governmental regulation of exploiting those resources is not complete yet, be- cause it is still being finished by the related ministries such as: the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Forest, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Agency for National Development Planning, the Agency for National Land and so forth. Moreover, preparation of the regional mining area in all of parts of the country has not been yet carried out by most of the regional governments. This is an obstacle in developing the mining sector and this crucial issue must immediately be solved. In addition, coping with this issue, a lot of R&D centres have tried and carried out improvement in value added for mineral and coal commodities. This proves that researchers are always doing any innovation of improving a better quality for mineral and coal products. When the governmental regulation is totally completed in the short time, probably in the next years, these innovation and improvement could be directly applied in the mining sector.

In this current issue, five papers are really expected to be able to cope with the above statements, especially in anticipating and resulting in competitive mineral and coal. These papers focus on exploration, processing technology and environmental issues.

Typically high vitrinitic coal geochemical features of Muaraenim coal beds in South Sumatera basin indicate the principle target for CBM development. The development of this energy is one of the challenges in diver- sifying energy in this country that depends only in oil and gas energy in which this reserve will decrease in its reserve in next decades. Therefore, this energy should strongly be developed in coping with the decline of the oil and gas reserve.

Compressional and shear wave velocities within rocks are mostly investigated by testing in the laboratory, because it is easier and cheaper. Nevertheless, it is more confident with investigation result obtained from the field, due to the actual situation and condition. The results of this study are expected to be applied in mining activities in implementing good mining practices in this country.

Goethite is relatively abundant when compared with hematite and magnetite in the main iron ore miner- als. Unfortunately, it is not usual to be used as feed material in iron making industries. Limitation in a high quality of iron ore resources causes the industries to seek another iron ore source like low grade iron ore of goethitic ore.

Indonesia needs NPK fertilizer for agricultural purposes. However, this commodity is mostly fulfilled by imports. In order to fulfil this need, the R&D Centre for Mineral and Coal Technology has conducted to produce this commodity in a special treatment to process K-bearing minerals into K-fertilizer.

Corporate social responsibility should be implemented by mining companies, as stated in the law number 4 year 2009. The application of this is expected to encourage mining company to allocate its profit for de- veloping the local community who lives around the mining operation. This good effort could be increased in the future to make beneficial for the regional sustainable development.

All the ideas of the above papers are really expected in accordance with the new regulation in the mineral and coal mining that focuses on the value added aspect. They are also expected to be able to anticipate self sufficiency of the commodities, which are mostly imported from China. Of course, this opportunity should be developed and this is a big challenge for researchers and engineers to prove their capabilities for the better future of this country.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 16 No. 1 February 2013
Vol. 16 No. 1 (2013)

The mining law in this country, which is Law Number 4 Year 2009) has made new paradigm of mining business in this country. The law has a significant point in increasing value added of mineral and coal com- modities. These commodities are no longer exported as raw materials (for instance mineral ores) in 2014. This means that the time is so tight to implement the law, especially in constructing smelter for mineral processing and they must be processed as ‘pure elements’ and high rank coal. For example, copper ore with minerals of chalcopyrite, bornite, cuprite and covellite, has a minimum product limit to be exported with Cu cathode>99.9% Cu; tin ore with Sn>99.85%; gold ore with Au>99%. This regulation is issued as Ministerial Regulation number 07 year 2012 regarding increase of value added of minerals through pro- cessing and purifying activities. On the other hand, an effort of increasing low rank coal has been made to produce high rank coal. Unfortunately, the results still indicate ‘no commercial products’ and requires a costly technology. Therefore, a new regulation for this commodity is not issued yet. However, this effort is always carried out by researchers of research and development institutions and mining industries to try to produce commercial and profitable products. The above ministerial regulation is applied for mining industry in all parts of this country. For this reason, regional governments (province and regency) must made provincial and regional regulations by adopting the ministerial regulation. The provincial and regional regulations on mineral mining sector is significant due to two considerations: 1). What have been done by regions to their regional regulations on mining, as it is in line with the policy that is stated in Law Number 4 Year 2009. The regulations are decentralistic and refer to the legal procedure, and 2). The substance of the study is an evaluation to the material violation by the regulations in various regions towards several higher-level regulations. The existence of Law Number 4 Year 2009 surely brings different atmospheres, and potentially results in opportunity for different kind of violation by the regulations issued by provincial, regency and city governments. This situation must be observed and analyzed for prevention. This has to be realized that any violation to regional regulation on mining will cause consequences to the development of mineral and coal mining business in the future.

Common issues on the mineral and coal mining sector in Indonesia are mainly caused by the centralistic policy instruments and the regional autonomous principles, which are not accommodated yet by the central government. Moreover, the rate of the mining investment is low due to the inconsistent regulations, particularly relating to the management aspects for the forest sector, spatial uses, environment and the central-regional authority sharing. Interest conflicts of using land, security, illegal mining cause the mining investment that is very low. Accordingly, supply of the products of the mineral and coal commodities for the domestic needs automatically decline.

The objectives of establishing the new law for the mineral and coal mining business, hopefully, can manage the policy of exploitation of the resources, which can anticipate the opportunity and the challenge in the more prosperous future in this sector. In addition, this new law can provide the law warranty and protection to the stakeholders/mining businessmen, so they have the opportunity to increase interest and investment values in the mining sector, which could optimally improve the national and regional revenues.

Several papers are presented in this current journal, because they have indicated to support the implementa- tion of the above new mining law, particularly in management of mineral and coal resources and its value added of these commodities. Surveys on provinces and regencies clearly indicate the increase of regional revenue without taking into consideration of the existing legal principles. This condition led to an uncondu- cive business climate that could hinder the economic growth and the investment opportunity. The presence of the new mining law is really expected to be able to cope with those issues. Analysis on the law reveals that the law requires to be clarified by implementing regulations that have not been issued yet.

After reading and assessing all the above papers, it is really expected that all the technologies are able to respond and to implement the new regulation on increase of value added of mining product commodi- ties. Moreover, the certain new law on mineral and coal mining business, particularly the various regional regulations, will accommodate the golden bridge between research and development institutions (supply aspect) and industries (demand aspect), which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 15 No. 3 October 2012
Vol. 15 No. 3 (2012)

This last journal of the 2012 edition focuses in good mining practices on mineral and coal, particularly for the aspects of exploration, environment and economics according to the Law 4/2009 about Mineral and Coal Mining. Articles related to this law emphasise that holders of mining licences must increase value added of mineral and coal resources in the implementation of mining operation, processing and utilisation. The holders of mining licence of operation and production must domestically conduct process the mineral and coal. It is also stressed that environmental issues are the main points to be managed wisely. In addition, most small-scale mining always gives rise to degraded environment and causes air and water pollution to the com- munities around the mining operation. This issue must be solved in order to create a healthy environment and to make a harmonious living between the mining company and the surrounding communities.

Five papers presented in this journal are contributed by researchers and lecturers from R&D centre and university. Some of the authors are well-known figure for their discipline and have contributed their bril- liant ideas to improve the mineral and coal technology. The rest is young researchers who are interested in managing a good environment due to mining operation in this country.

Excessive vibration causes damage like mine slope. This vibration can physically and numerically be modeled. The model indicates that the seismic loading affects the rock strength reduction. This condition is shown by the trend of the SRF decrease, if the g value increases. Moreover, the thickness of critical zone represented by the thickness of quartz sand layer would be more unstable, if the zone is thicker. This is indicated by the trend of the SRF decrease, if the quartz sand layer increases. This means that that thicker critical zone on the mine slope will reduce the rock strength and the mine slope will be unstable.

Governmental Regulation No 85 year 1999 related to management of hazardous material states that in order to identify and to define coal ash as hazardous material or non-hazardous material, coal ash should be evalu- ated by characteristic and toxicity tests. The properties of coal ash sample from Bukit Asam power plant were evaluated. The chemical analyses show that the main chemical compositions of the coal ash are categorized as non-toxic. The other result shows that mortality of mice was not found in every dose given, and it can be classified as a non-hazardous material. The results of the test reveal that the concentrations of all the heavy metals are invariably well below the permissible limits for discharge of effluents according to the regulation and the US EPA standard. Thus, it is also categorized as non-hazardous material. The results generated from this study indicate that the coal ash has a vast potential for reclamation of degraded coal mining land.

Effect of combustible content in coal ash refuse on the efficiency of thermal oil heater system was studied. The study investigated the discrepancy of the actual performance of the heater compared to the design specifica- tion. It is assumed that the coal type and the operational problem were the cause of deviation. This affects combustion efficiency and the amount of reactive materials within coal ash refuse. Combustible analysis in coal ash refuse can be used as an indicator of inefficient performance in a coal fired thermal oil heater system. According to the analysis, it is found that the design operating condition can be achieved within a low limit. It is concluded that the system operation plays an important role in the successful running of an efficient system.

Indonesia has not had a processing industry of bauxite to alumina, so large bauxite production is completely exported in the form of raw material. Meanwhile, alumina is imported to fulfill the domestic need of alumi- num industry. In order to know the condition of the bauxite export trade, term of trade (TOT) analysis was conducted. Parameter measured is the bauxite export price compared with the import price. Results of the TOT values indicate that Indonesia was still the exporter of the bauxite raw material with an average of the export value was lower than the import value (deficit), although its volume was big due to the very low price. When the bauxite processing industry is able to be conducted immediately, probably it can improve the export value, surplus, increase of the national revenue and improvement of TOT of bauxite in Indonesia.

The processing method for gold comprises cyanidation, amalgamation and gravity concentration. Amalga- mation is one of the most dangerous methods that pollute the environment. The process was conducted by artisanal gold mining extensively throughout the country and involving around 100.000 miners. The gold was obtained after the silver within the bullion is leached by HNO3 equipment used for burning the Au-Hg is an open vessel that is operated in the kitchen at which the people also cook the food. This condition is very dangerous for the miner and their families as the Hg vapor is very toxic and can damage human lung. Another problem is that Hg-containing fine tailings are directly discharged to the river. This mercury can pollute the aquatic system and become dangerous for human through food chain. The efforts decreasing the negative effect of artisanal mining employ a retort to burn the amalgam, centralize the trommels; con- centrate the gold ores prior to amalgamation. If tailing with relatively high gold content would be processed by gravity concentration or cyanidation, the location for tailing gold processing should be safe and far from the river and houses.

From all the papers published in this journal, R&D centre should do something new to anticipate all the above challenges rather than to cope with all problems. It is really expected that the Law 4/2009 must be implemented to accommodate the good mining practices including the aspects of exploration, mining en- vironment and economics of the mineral and coal commodities, which are perfectly processed in line with the user demands. The applied technologies for mineral and coal should be improved to obtain value added of the commodities.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 15 No. 2 June 2012
Vol. 15 No. 2 (2012)

The Law Number 4 Year 2009 hammers firmly that all mining operations in this country must be applied by implementing good mining practices, because devastated environments due to these mining operations occur in all part of the country. The government has great concern for these conditions. Mining enterprises that neglect an environmentally friendly mining are terminated their mining licenses, and they must pay cost of the degraded environment. Illegal mining, particularly for gold, needs to be handled wisely by the government, because this mining is carried out by artisanal gold miners that have no enough skill and they always use dangerous materials like mercury for their activities. Moreover, they mine the gold in the area belonging to mining enterprises. This causes conflict between them and the enterprises. In order to solve this problem, the law has allocated an area for the artisanal activities called ‘mining area for people’. This solution is successful and has implemented in adjacent area surrounding the legal mining operation. This also has improved quality of their daily living and the conflict eases drastically. Besides this environmental issue, the significant point of the law is to improve value added of mineral and coal. Prior to implementing this law, all mineral and coal are exported as raw materials and this has caused loss of profit for the country revenue. To overcome this problem, the government provides an obligation of making smelter for mineral processing. Therefore, prior to exporting this mineral, it must be processed to obtain its value added.

Papers presenting in this current journal relate to the above issues. The main point of papers tries to over- come the environmental issues, to improve value added of mineral and coal, and policy implemented to apply good mining practices.

Artisanal and small-scale mining of gold in West Lombok is illegally carried out. This mining is one of the examples of the mining operation in this country retaining the issue root of social, economic and cultural community. According to the policy of regional spatial plan, the gold potential should be partly allocated for the artisanal and small-scale mining as stated by the mining law. This mining requires guidance, educa- tion and training in either capital aspect, business or mining technique. Therefore, the role of the regional government is absolutely required.

Bentonite, a commodity for industrial application, is needed in a large number of quantities. This country has a lot of this resources, but unfortunately, its quality does not yet satisfy industrial specification. Accordingly, it is necessary to activate the material to enhance its quality. This research was aimed to obtain the optimal bleaching power to decolourize the crude palm oil effectively.

The example of case study of the energy and mining company has a positive impact to the regional economy in terms of the community development and economic productivity. In overall, it indicates that the energy and mineral resources sector could be used as one of among the catalysts to achieve interregional conver- gence through ‘cross fertilization’ toward the national gross domestic product per capita index. All in one purpose is to set up of creating job and income toward a welfare society.

The threat of global warming should be addressed by increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, since the green house gas mainly comes from combustion of fossil fuel in energy sector. Un- fortunately, the conventional energy efficiency indicator in the national level such as energy consumption per capita, energy intensity and energy elasticity frequently shows a contradictory result. The objective of this study is to develop a new energy efficiency indicator using both gross domestic product and energy consumption per capita as parameters. The best practice correlation between energy consumption per capita and gross domestic product per capita was also used to evaluate energy projection of Indonesia. The study concludes that the Indonesia energy projection developed by the International Energy Agency is the most realistic, efficient and achievable.

The selected coal samples of different moisture contents obtained from the various coalfields were used to study spontaneous combustion characteristics by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and crossing point temperature (CPT). Results indicate that there is no direct correlation between the spontaneous combustion test data and the individual properties of the coal samples by both DTA and CPT test methods. A preliminary conclusion can be drawn on the coal moisture content effect on spontaneous combustion. Higher moisture content coals are more susceptible to spontaneous combustion than that of lower moisture content coals. It also can be stated that the susceptibility of coal to spontaneous combustion is basically a complex. Clearly more tests are required to investigate the effect of coal properties in more detail from other Indonesian coals that have various types and ranks.

After reading all the above papers, it is really expected that the mining issues in this country could be solved properly in terms of environment, value added, economy and policy. It could be successful by applying the good mining practices supported by the law and related supporting policies. This needs synergy among the stakeholders to build a prosperous future in the mining sector.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 15 No. 1 February 2012
Vol. 15 No. 1 (2012)

The new mining law (Law Number 4 Year 2009) that has made new paradigm of mining business in this country, has a significant point in increase of value added of mineral and coal commodities. These com- modities are no longer exported as raw materials (for instance mineral ores), and they must be processed as ‘pure elements’ and high rank coal. For example, copper ore with minerals of chalcopyrite, bornite, cu- prite and covellite, has a minimum product limit to be exported with Cu cathode>99.9% Cu; tin ore with Sn>99.85%; gold ore with Au>99%. This regulation is issued as Ministerial Regulation number 07 year 2012 regarding increase of value added of minerals through processing and purifying activities. On the other hand, an effort of increasing low rank coal has been made to produce high rank coal. Unfortunately, the results still indicate ‘no commercial products’ and requires a costly technology. Therefore, a new regulation for this commodity is not issued yet. However, this effort is always carried out by researchers of research and development institutions and mining industries to try to produce commercial and profitable products. The above ministerial regulation is applied for mining industry in all parts of this country. For this reason, regional governments (province and regency) must made provincial and regional regulations by adopting the ministerial regulation. The provincial and regional regulations on mineral mining sector is significant due to some considerations: a). What have been done by regions to their regional regulations on mining, as it is in line with the policy that is stated in Law Number 4 Year 2009. The regulations are decentralistic and refer to the legal procedure, and b). The substance of the study is an evaluation to the material violation by the regulations in various regions towards several higher-level regulations. The existence of Law Number 4 Year 2009 surely brings different atmospheres, and potentially results in opportunity for different kind of violation by the regulations issued by provincial, regency and city governments. This situation must be observed and analyzed for prevention. This has to be realized that any violation to regional regulation on mining will cause consequences to the development of mineral and coal mining business in the future.

Common issues on the mineral and coal mining sector in Indonesia are mainly caused by the centralistic policy instruments and the regional autonomous principles, which are not accommodated yet by the central government. Moreover, the rate of the mining investment is low due to the inconsistent regulations, particularly relating to the management aspects for the forest sector, spatial uses, environment and the central-regional authority sharing. Interest conflicts of using land, security, illegal mining cause the mining investment that is very low. Accordingly, supply of the products of the mineral and coal commodities for the domestic needs automatically decline.

The objectives of establishing the new law for the mineral and coal mining business, hopefully, can manage the policy of exploitation of the resources, which can anticipate the opportunity and the challenge in the more prosperous future in this sector. In addition, this new law can provide the law warranty and protection to the stakeholders/mining businessmen, so they have the opportunity to increase interest and investment values in the mining sector, which could optimally improve the national and regional revenues.

Several papers are presented in this current journal, because they have indicated to support the implemen- tation of the above new mining law. Surveys on provinces and regencies clearly indicate the increase of regional revenue without taking into consideration of the existing legal principles. This condition led to an unconducive business climate that could hinder the economic growth and the investment opportunity. The presence of the new mining law is really expected to be able to cope with those issues. Analysis on the law reveals that the law requires to be clarified by implementing regulations that have not been issued yet.

After reading and assessing all the above papers, it is really expected that all the technologies are able to respond and to implement the new regulation on increase of value added of mining product commodi- ties. Moreover, the certain new law on mineral and coal mining business, particularly the various regional regulations, will accommodate the golden bridge between research and development institutions (supply aspect) and industries (demand aspect), which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 14 No. 3 October 2011
Vol. 14 No. 3 (2011)

The current journal which focuses on mineral and coal technology is in accordance with Law 4/2009 about Mineral and Coal Mining, particularly with Articles 95 (c), 102, 103 and 170. These articles emphasize that holders of mining licences must increase value added of mineral and coal resources in the implementation of mining operation, processing and utilization. The holders of mining licence of operation and production must domestically conduct process the mineral and coal. It is also stressed that these obligations must be carried out 5 years after the issue of this law.

Government Regulation 23/2010 about the implementation of mining business is explained in Articles 84, 93-96 and 112. The article states that the holder of mining licence of operation and production must prioritize the demand of mineral and coal for domestic use. Articles 93-96 mention the increase of value added. Process of these commodities will be decided by ministerial regulation. Article 112 states that mining authority, mining licence of small-scale that have been provided prior to the issue of the Government Regulation must conduct the process of these commodities domestically 5 years after the issue of Law 4/2009. The main point value added increase are as follows: a). to increase and optimalize mining products, b). to fulfil domestic demand, c). to increase national revenue, and d). to increase manpower recruitment.

According to the Government Regulation 23/2010, research and development institutions have some opportu- nities for the issue as the followings: a). to increase value added by processing metallic and non-metallic minerals and rocks, b). to join with the holders of mining licences in processing the commodities especially for the national interest, and c). to propose the result of the process to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources as regulations on the processing of mineral and coal.

From all the papers published in this journal, R&D Centre should conduct something new to anticipate all the above challenges rather than to cope with all problems. It is really expected that Law 4/2009 would accommo- date the supply-demand aspect of the mineral and coal commodities, which are perfectly processed in line with the user demands. The applied technologies for mineral and coal should be improved to obtain value added of the commodities.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 14 No. 2 June 2011
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2011)

This current journal focuses in metal and non-metal minerals and coal technology. The industrial minerals are interesting to discuss, because their existence is not attractive for mining investors due to their poor quality. However, they are abundant in quantity. They are easily found and well observed in all parts of this country. Ironically, these minerals have been imported until now, particularly from China and India. For this reason, Indonesia has already issued the new law on mineral and coal mining (Law Number 4/2009), which is accommodative for the mining business. For instance, the government has tried to construct infrastructure to access the locality of the com- modities. The most important thing is that prior to exporting, the minerals must be processed to be good commodities and not as raw materials in order to improve its technology and national rev- enue. Coal in Indonesia, especially from Kalimantan and Sumatera, is huge in the quantity. Its potential becomes a major future primary energy source due to its quality and quantity that is prospectively utilized in the future. However, most of the coals have low ranks. That is why this low rank coals should be evaluated to select the appropriated utilization technologies. In order to improve quality and value added, the mineral and the coal must be totally processed prior to utilising and exporting in accordance with the above new law.

Mineralogical characters of epithermal vein deposits were carried out in the research. According to its mineral content and vein deposit types, mineralization in the studied area occurred in two stages, which are early epithermal process producing comb-vuggy vein deposit and final epithermal deposit retaining chalcedony vein deposit. Zone of prospective mineralization is situated within vein and rocks beneath and above veins. This mineralogical character is very specific in the area, and it is very useful to locate the prospective zone.

Geologic aspects controlling maceral and mineral matter content of coal is shown in the study. Megascopically, the coal is dominated by bright-banded and banded. Microscopically, vitrinite and liptinite are the dominant macerals in the coal. Inertinite is a minor component. Mineral con- tent is relatively high in most of the coal. This is an important relationship between megascopic and microscopic studies. The brighter coal is in association with the vitrinite-rich coal. The differ- ences in the coal type are because of the interaction of geologic factors. There is a good correlation among lithotype, petrographic composition and geologic aspects, which clearly influence the char- acteristics of the coal.

The effect of hydrogen pressure on the preparation of artificial caking coal for coke binder is seri- ously investigated in the study. Coals from selected areas in Sumatera and Kalimantan were used as raw material for the making of binder. Observation includes influence of hydrogen pressure on the total carbon content, ash content and free swelling index. The result indicates that all non-caking coals used in the experiment can be converted into caking coal for the use as a binder in the making of coke.

Extraction of potassium from feldspar and leucite, presented in this journal, discusses the policy that is related to the framework of eliminating dependency on import. The import rate is stagnantly high, and it is caused by factors of unwise policy and interest conflict from the stakeholders. The issuance of Law Number 4/2009 on mineral and coal mining is expected to be the critical moment for reforming the policy and related regulations.
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 14 No. 1 February 2011
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2011)

Good mining practices must be conducted in line with creating sustainable mining development in this country. However, illegal mining still occurs, particularly in the areas adjacent to the legal mining operation, particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatera. The illegal mining is not only carried out by local people, but also by other people who come from any part of the country. Ironically, some of the illegal mining operation is fully supported and funded by entrepreneurs. Environmental degradation takes place in the former mining activity, because the illegal miners never rehabilitate the land properly. It is expected that prevention and tackling of the illegal mining could be carried out by: a). Good mining practices, b). Law in order, assurance of law and conducive investment atmosphere, and c). Reduction of negative effects of environmental impacts based on Law Number 32/2009 concerning environmental management and protection. In addition, to cope with the illegal mining, it is also expected as beneficial for the state. For the mining industry, community empowerment through programs of corporate social responsibility is the main objective of protect- ing the mining operation. The cost of the community empowerment must be part of the feasibility study. This program is oriented for preparation of the community to self-fulfillment in the post- mining era. It is a sustainable economic development based on local commodities and receiving ability of the local community. This has been accommodated by the Law Number 4/2009.

The Law Number 4/2009 concerning the mineral and coal mining has already been issued and applied in this country. It is really expected that the law can assure law certainty and business; economic growth and national and regional revenue; regional development and participation of global business and regional community; social development for community by strengthening re- gional institution and using local content (raw material and human resources); and environmental conservation that can guarantee ecosystem continuity. The mining operation has a significant role to provide real value added toward the national economic growth and the sustainable national development. The mining business license holder has a compulsory to improve value added of mineral and coal resources in implementing mining operation, processing and utilization. This processing activity must absolutely be carried out in the country. Policy of limitation of raw mate- rials (mining products) exports needs to be progressively implemented. In accordance with the above law, the mining enterprises will be prohibited to export the raw materials started from 2014. These enterprises have to process the materials domestically, and then exporting them in the form of finished products. By creating value added, the selling price of the products will multiply in- crease. Automatically, the foreign exchange and the tax in the country will increase as well. The other benefit is that the downstream industry will grow and create new job that has a potency of the regional economic growth.

After reading and assessing all the mining issues, it is absolutely expected that the certain new law on mineral and coal mining business, particularly the various regional regulations, will accommo- date the golden bridge between R&D centre (supply aspect) and industries (demand aspect), which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 13 No. 2 June 2010
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2010)

Law No. 4/2009, new law of mineral and coal mining in Indonesia has already been implemented since 2009. The issuance of the law has an impact to the management of mineral and coal mining operations throughout this country, because the law results in lots of new issues that are associated with regional autonomy. Such as contradictive to the previous issued law, namely Law No. 11/1967 regarding the centralized main guidelines on mining. Moreover, most of regional governments are not ready enough to implement the new law due to lack of qualified human resources, technology, infrastructure, interest conflict on land use and so forth. Accordingly, a lot of new mining investors are reluctant to have business in exploiting mineral and coal in Indonesia. This is a bad news for the government that wishes to attract the investors to invest their capital in mining sector. The important issues on mineral and coal mining include policy, environment and safety, investment, energy-mix and illegal mining. The policy issue relates to the tightness of the mining environ- ment, particularly in the implementation of the analysis of environmental impact. The mineral and coal technology papers in this journal are emphasized to improve the quality of products. This is in accordance with the new law, in which the mineral and coal must be processed to result in value added.

Marble waste and fly ash were utilized for fine ceramic raw materials. Both materials were obtained from textile industries around Bandung area. In addition, clay as a formed agent for the ceramic body was used. The characteristic results indicate that composition of 70% of clay, 10% of marble waste and 20% of fly ash provide the best result.

Trends in supply/demand for Indonesian coal period 2005-2025 are presented in this journal. It is strongly warned to the government that the mineable coal reserve will probably be finished for approximately 18 years. Additionally, the coal-steamed powers that operate until now has an age of 26 years. When the reserve is not well-managed, it will immediately be finished in the shorter time. Accordingly, it requires an anticipative step of a policy concept that can maintain a sustainability of the domestic coal stock by implementing a limited export.

Coal Water Fuel (CWF) is one of energy diversifications. This enables coal to substitute fuel oil by existing installation, because CWF can flow similar to the flow of liquid. Selections of additive, coal size fraction, ratio coal and water of CWF were investigated in a laboratory scale. Results of using different size fraction show that concentration decrease and penetration rate from CWF with size fraction of -200 mesh is relatively constant compared to the CWF of -60 mesh.

Palaeogene coals from Southern Banten were investigated according to their petrographic properties. Evalua- tion that they tend to have similar petrographic properties and were formed in the same environment. Some of the coals show the highest vitrinite content and higher rank due to an intrusive activity. The high content of mineral matter in the coals was influenced by marine incursion during their deposition.

Kalimantan coal quality was evaluated to select appropriate and effective utilization technologies. Coal qual- ity including coal petrology in terms of type and rank, mineral content, hardgrove grindability index, sodium content can contribute to an understanding of the nature and aids in determining its utilization potential. The low-rank coal can be developed through various utilization technologies like coal upgrading, hot water treat- ing coal slurry, coal liquefaction, carbonization and mine-mouth power plant.

After assessing all the above papers, it is clearly understandable that the new law of mineral and coal mining has totally support to improve the value added of these commodities. The applied technologies resulting in those commodities need to be shared and implemented to the users/industries in order to fulfill their com- modities demand. Therefore, dependence on import could be stopped in the future.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 13 No. 3 October 2010
Vol. 13 No. 3 (2010)

This current journal is emphasizing in industrial minerals and coal technology. The industrial minerals are interesting to present because their existence is not attractive for mining investors due to their poor quality. However, they are abundant in quantity. They are easily found and well observed in all parts of this country. Ironically, these minerals have been imported until now, particularly from China and India. For this reason, Indonesia has already issued the new law on mineral and coal mining (Law Number 4/2009), which is accommodative for the mining business. For instance, the government has tried to construct infrastructure to access the locality of the minerals. The most important thing is that prior to exporting, the minerals must be processed to be good commodities and not as raw materials in order to improve its technology and national revenue. Coal in Indonesia, especially from Kalimantan and Sumatera, is huge in the quantity. Its potential becomes a major future primary energy source due to its quality and quantity that is prospectively utilized in the future. However, most of the coals have low ranks. That is why this low rank coals should be evaluated to select the appropriated utilization technologies.

Policy on industrial mineral resource management is presented as the main topic of this journal. This policy is issued in the framework of eliminating dependence on import. The import rate is stagnantly high, and it is caused by factors of unwise policy and interest conflict from the stakeholders. The issuance of Law Number 4/ 2009 on mineral and coal mining is expected to be the critical moment for reforming the policy and related regulations.

An alternative method on the activation process for bentonite mineral was carried out in the research. Biodiesel manufacture commonly apply liquid catalyst that deal with obstacles, like difficulty in catalyst separation with the product as they are in same phase of liquid, the catalyst can cause corrosive, excessive catalyst cannot be reused and complicated to be handled. An alternative choice for better process would be using solid catalyst as a heterogeneous system with raw material and product. Bentonite has a potential to be used as solid acid catalyst. The applied method indicated that a significant molar ratio was reached by settlement for 2 weeks that can serve as alternative energy saving method.

Most of metakaolin is used in Portland cement industries as an additive to improve the compressive strength of the cement. The Bangka kaolin was more suitable in metakaolin preparation, because its initial Al2O3 content rises after decantation. This commodity is globally marketed by Asian Ceratec Corporation in the metakaolin product (38% of Al2O3).

The coal seams in the South Sumatera Basin are considerably thick and continuous, low ash and sulphur contents and could be found at favourable depth. These coals can be exploited by traditional mining methods that are open cut and underground mining. If the coals are not economic to exploit using those methods, underground coal gasification technology could be implemented to optimize the use of coal and associated gaseous fuels in the basin. The coals could be utilized for direct combustion in mine site in order to reduce transport cost. They also could be upgraded to obtain high calorific value or converted to gas, liquid and coke fuels through gasification, liquefaction and carbonization technologies.

A carbonate complex in East Kalimantan was selected for the study, because this area has some coal deposits. In general, most Indonesian coals were deposited in fluvial and deltaic environments. Thus, the study is interesting due to depositional environment of the coals in related to a marine condition. The geologic factors have clearly proven a good correlation among the results of megascopic, microscopic and proximate analyses. The presence of high pyrite and sulphur contents strongly illustrates a marine incursion during the coal depo- sition in the area.

From all the above papers, it is really expected that the Law Number 4/2009 on mineral and coal mining would accommodate the supply-demand aspect of the mineral and coal commodities. The applied technolo- gies for mineral and coal should be improved to obtain value added of the commodities. Moreover, it is also hoped that this opportunity could be a golden bridge between R&D centre (supply side) and industries (de- mand side) that could synergized the supply-demand on these commodities.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 13 No. 1 February 2010
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2010)

The study about regional regulation on mineral and coal mining sector is significant due to some considerations: a). What have been done by regions to their regional regulations on mining, as it is in line with the policy that is stated in Law Number 4 Year 2009. The regulations are decentralistic and refer to the legal procedure, and b). The substance of the study is an evaluation to the material violation by the regulations in various regions towards several higher-level regulations. The existence of Law Number 4 Year 2009 surely brings different atmospheres, and potentially results in opportunity for different kind of violation by the regulations issued by provincial, regency and city governments. This situation must be observed and analyzed for prevention. This has to be realized that any violation to regional regula- tion on mining will cause consequences to the development of mineral and coal mining business in the future.

Common issues on the mineral and coal mining sector in Indonesia are mainly caused by the centralistic policy instruments and the regional autonomous principles, which are not accommodated yet by the central government. Moreover, the rate of the mining investment is low due to the inconsistent regulations, particularly relating to the management aspects for the forest sector, spatial uses, environment and the central-regional authority sharing. Interest conflicts of using land, security, illegal mining cause the mining investment that is very low. Accordingly, supply of the products of the mineral and coal commodities for the domestic needs automatically decline.

The objectives of establishing the new law for the mineral and coal mining business, hopefully, can manage the policy of exploitation of the resources, which can anticipate the opportunity and the challenge in the more prosperous future in this sector. In addition, this new law can provide the law warranty and protection to the stakeholders/mining businessmen, so they have the opportunity to increase interest and investment values in the mining sector, which could optimally improve the national and regional revenues.

Six papers are presented in this current journal, because they have indicated to support the implementation of the above new mining law; particularly for the first paper that focuses on the analysis of the regional regulations on mineral and coal mining sector. Surveys on eight provinces clearly indicate the increase of regional revenue without taking into consideration of the existing legal principles. This condition led to an unconducive business climate that could hinder the economic growth and the investment opportunity. The presence of the new mining law is really expected to be able to cope with those issues. Analysis on the law reveals that the law requires to be clarified by implementing regulations that have not been issued. R&D on catalyst derived from minerals for coal liquefaction reaction remains attractive as Indonesia has various kinds of minerals that are suitable to be used as catalyst precursors. For this reason, iron ore from South Kalimantan and tailing of PT. Freeport were examined their activities to obtain the most appropri- ate catalyst precursors for coal liquefaction reaction. The result shows that the tailing resulted in lower oil yield and coal conversion than those of iron ore. The chemical composition of West Kalimantan bauxite has been extracted to produce alumina and bauxite residue (red mud). The aim of the research is to produce hydrated alumina from bauxite residue by soda-lime sintering process as raw materials for the making of alums and poly aluminum chloride. It also produces iron concentrate from residue of leaching as a by-product. Preparation of meso porous silica from bentonite was carried out by ultrafine grinding and leaching. This bentonite contains montmorillonite with porous structure. The ultrafine grinding was conducted by using planetary ball mill in wet condition in methanol. The leaching process produced porous silica material with meso porous. This is a special characteristic to be used in various applications of industry. Well-known applications of porous material are adsorbent, filter and catalyst; while developing applica- tions are being conducted for hydrogen storage in fuel cell technology and waste treatment. Barium concentrations of trace elements in the sediments core from the Tomini Basin were assessed to establish their vertical distribution and occurrence. The highest concentration is barium indicating that its composition in the surface sediments generally increases downward. Vertical distribution of barium in the basin shows that its sedimentary environment has a high palaeo-productivity. The preliminary study of co-processing coal with used tire and asphalt in coal liquefaction was carried out. To utilize these hydrocarbons and to develop coal utilization, they change as co-processing in coal liquefaction. The objective of the study is to find out the hydrocarbon material in cooperation with coal in the coal liquefaction to obtain high conversion and oil product. The result indicates that the synergy between coal and used tire and asphalt occurred and the percentage of conversion increased.

After reading and assessing all the above papers, it is really expected that the certain new law on mineral and coal mining business, particularly the various regional regulations, will accommodate the golden bridge between R&D centre (supply aspect) and industries (demand aspect), which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 12 No. 3 October 2009
Vol. 12 No. 3 (2009)

Common issues on the mineral and coal mining sector in Indonesia are mainly caused by the centralistic policy instruments and the regional autonomous principles, which are not accommodated yet by the central government. Moreover, the rate of the mining investment is low due to the inconsistent regulations, particu- larly relating to the management aspects for the forest sector, spatial uses, environment and the central- regional authority sharing. Interest conflicts of using land, security, illegal mining cause the mining invest- ment that is very low. Accordingly, supply of the products of the mineral and coal commodities for the domestic needs automatically decline.

The objectives of establishing the new law (Law number 4 year 2009 about the mineral and coal mining) for the mineral and coal mining, hopefully, can manage the policy of exploitation of the resources, which can anticipate the opportunity and the challenge in the more prosperous future in this sector. In addition, this new law can provide the law warranty and protection to the stakeholders/mining businessmen, so they have the opportunity to increase interest and investment values in the mining sector, which could optimally improve the national and regional revenues.

Six papers are interesting to be assessed, because they have indicated to support the implementation of the above new mining law; particularly for the first paper that focuses on small-scale mining. The small-scale mining has been debated by mining experts in this country. The mining has a strong correlation with illegal mining operation that is associated with disorderly mining practices. This reminds us on the case of tremen- dous environmental disaster in Bangka-Belitung (tin mining), Kalimantan (coal mining), and even in all areas in Indonesia (industrial mineral mining). The presence of the new mining law is really expected to be able to cope with those illegal minings. Analysis on the law reveals that the law requires to be clarified by imple- menting regulations that have not been issued. Hopefully, those regulations will be issued in the next year. Currently, commercial biodiesel production still applies sodium hydroxide solution as homogeneous catalyst, which has some disadvantages and cannot be reused and difficult on its separation from the product. So, an alternative catalyst is necessary to be sought to solve the problem. A solid catalyst from clay (montmorillonite) is possible to apply. Genesis of the coal macerals depends especially on the tectonic and geologic setting. The Jambi Subbasin that is the back-arc basin associated with the fluvial to deltaic environments results in both rich in vitrinite and inertinite contents. These macerals are associated with the lithotypes. Maceral composi- tion of the coals shows an extreme phenomenon, because most of the Sumateran coals contain very low inertinite content with very high vitrinite content. A couple of years ago, a regulation on conversion of kerosene as subsidized fuel to alternative fuel for tobacco drying industry in NTB Province was issued. Coal as an alternative fuel has a significant role in the conversion process, which has smoothly been implemented because of the advantageous condition. Thousands tons of coal has been consumed, and this results in the saved subsidy. Upgraded brown coal water mixture (UBCWM) can be used as direct fuel as substitute for heavy fuel oil in industrial boilers. The addition of additive as dispersant is required to obtain a UBCWM with high coal concentration and low apparent viscosity as well as good flow characteristics. The research of this project was conducted by preparing UBCWM with the addition of polymethacrylate (PMA) and carboxym- ethyl cellulose as stabilizer. The results indicate that the addition of PMA in the production of UBCWM is effective as dispersant. Flotation of galena ore using aerofloat 241 was carried out. The sample used for the research is lead ore composed of minerals of galena, pyrite, sphalerite and quartz in order to increase lead content in the concentrate using flotation method. The result indicates that the flotation experiment using certain materials achieves maximum content of Pb in the concentrate with certain chemical compositions.

After assessing all the above papers, it is really expected that the certain new law will accommodate the golden bridge between R&D centre (supply aspect) and industries (demand aspect), which can synergize of the supply-demand on the mineral and coal commodities in accordance with the specific and characteristic products.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 12 No. 2 June 2009
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2009)

The law no. 4/2009 about mineral and coal mining reflects a new paradigm in the mining sector, in which the mining must be conducted in accordance with benefit, justice and balance; national interest; participation, transparency and accountability; as well as sustainable development and friendly environment. In other words, this can be stated that this country faces a new challenge and opportunity in exploiting mineral resources that have a huge reserve with a certain regulation. Unfortunately, the governmental regulation of exploiting those resources is not available yet, because it is still being finished by the related ministries such as: the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Forest, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Agency for National Development Planning, the Agency for National Land and so forth. However, coping with this issue, a lot of R&D Centre have carried out improvement in value added for mineral and coal commodities. This proves that researchers are always doing any innovation of improving a better quality for mineral and coal products. When the governmental regulation is available in the short time, probably in the early 2010, these innovation and improvement could be directly applied in the mining sector.

In this current issue, six papers are really expected to be able to cope with the above statements, especially in anticipating and resulting in competitive mineral and coal. These papers focus on processing technology, exploration and environmental issues.

Processing technology of altering ferrous sulphate to synthetic goethite indicates that goethite can absolutely be produced from impure commercial grade of ferrous sulphate. This research is necessary to be continued by measuring oxidation rate in order to optimize the oxygen consumption. Study on upgraded low rank coals properties illustrates that the upgraded brown coal process can reduce the moisture content of the coals and automatically can increase the calorific value of the coals. The carbon content of the coals significantly increases with increasing fixed carbon. The removal of water from the coal causes the decrease of hydrogen and oxygen contents in the coals; whilst the total sulphur and nitrogen content slightly change. Geologic factors controlling mineral content in the Southern Kalimantan coals have a main role in the distribution of mineral matter in association with maceral composition in the coals. Those factors include geologic history and depositional environment of the coals. Clay minerals dominated by kaolinite were deposited in a fresh water environment during peat formation. Most of the minerals are syngenetic in origin; and some are consid- ered to be epigenetic. The minor minerals in the coals consist of quartz, pyrite and calcite. The land rehabili- tation of mine out area of sand quarry shows that the soil characteristics in the area were poor due to lack of nutrient and high porosity. The area can potentially be developed as tourism resort because of a beautiful view of Mount Ciremai. Aspergillus niger can convert glucose into oxalic acid more efficiently and rapidly com- pared with sucrose. The best performance of this experiment was achieved in medium glucose. In such condi- tion, the Aspergillus niger has higher values of maximum specific growth rate, overall biomass and product yield, maximum specific substrate uptake and oxalic acid production rate. The effect of magnetization on the leached limonitic ore indicates the magnetization can speed up the nickel dissolution and obstruct the iron dissolution. The dissolution rate of nickel was very high in the initial period of less than 5 minutes, which reached almost half of the total recoverable nickel 95% for magnetized sample compared with the untreated one that remains 5.5%. The nickel dissolution would be higher by adding the leaching time. So, the magneti- zation of the ore can control the non-metallic dissolution in the leaching process such as iron oxide.

All the ideas of the above papers are really expected in accordance with the new regulation in the mineral and coal mining that focuses on the value added aspect. They are also expected to be able to anticipate self sufficiency of the commodities, which are imported from China. Of course, this opportunity should be devel- oped and this is a big challenge for researchers and engineers to prove their capabilities for the better future of this country.

The Editor
INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 12 No. 1 February 2009
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2009)

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