Vol. 11 No. 1 (2008): INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 11 No. 1 February 2008

Exploration and exploitation of mineral and coal in Indonesia have led to concept of the good mining practices. Moreover, the environmental management due to the mining operation of those commodities has already conducted well. The endeavours of researchers and other functional officials that collaborate with mining industries in the rural areas have to orientate to environmen- tally friendly areas. It clearly seems that the mining industry in this country has left the old paradigm to the environmentally friendly mining. This is expected to be able to provide positive impact for the investment climate and the stimulation of the sector of energy and mineral resources that is one of the main contributions of the national budget and expenditure.

Various ideas in the papers provided in this journal try to provide the solution issues on mineral and coal mining, particularly related to technological and environmental aspects that lead to the improvement of value added of those commodities.

Type and rank variation of the Sumateran coals were assessed by petrographic examination. Simi- larities in the type and rank characteristics in the coals reflect their geological setting, climatic influence and peat conditions. Reverse flotation was adopted for Indonesian iron-rich laterite ore from Pomalaa to float siliceous minerals in the separation of iron mineral. It is possible to use the iron-rich lateritic ore to produce magnetic concentrates by using magnetizing roasting followed by reverse iron flotation. The preparation of upgraded brown coal water mixture by using an Indone- sian upgraded coal in a pilot scale was carried out the effect of dispersing and stabilizing additives on the rheological behaviour. The results indicate that the addition of the additives is effective and stable in preparing the upgraded coal. The physical activation of zeolite was conducted by heating the samples, whilst the chemical activation was carried out y using a reagent. It shows the optimal result with certain characteristics. Gold processing at Pongkor mine processes cyanide-containing waste. Due to the increase of environmental awareness from the surrounding community, this process needs to be re-evaluated. This relates to tight regulation regarding safe waste prior to re- leasing to the environment.

The presentation of those papers indicates the various progresses developed in the sector of energy and mineral resources. This is expected to be able to give the positive inputs towards the improve- ment of the utilisation of mineral commodities by applying the environmentally friendly mining. In addition, the papers can trigger researchers and other functional officials to keep endeavouring in solving various issues in this sector.

The Editor