Vol. 9 No. 2 (2006): INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 09 No. 2 June 2006

Coal is still getting particular portion in this Indonesian Mining Journal edition. Many aspects of the sources are necessary to be studied in terms of solving problems as the real steps to support the development of coal-based energy sources in Indonesia. Even more, Indonesia is endowed with abundant coal deposits that presumably are admissible energy consumption for 150 years a head. Accordingly, from now Indonesia is attempting to strive for substituting fuel oil-based energy into coal-based energy. An anthology of research results that is coming forward in this journal would discuss in line with the above issues.

In terms of current global issues of developing clean coal technology, a paper reviews syn-gas polygeneration technology system from integrated coal gasification. Synthetic gas and other vari- ous gas derivation products might be produced from the system. The products are applicable as either fuel or raw material for chemical industries. Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co, who conducts the system, claims the syn-gas polygeneration technology system economically effi- cient in consuming coal raw materials and environmentally safe. Other paper discusses an experi- mental study on utilizing coal to alternate fuel oil burner with coal cyclone burner specifically in a heating zinc bath kettle of galvanization process. The energy efficiency of utilizing coal is found lower than fuel oil. One more paper discusses the utilization of coke. Coke, which was previously made from coal, is reacted with high-grade quartz sand in an electric-arc furnace producing silicon carbide as a refractory ceramic material. Essentially, three papers issued in the present journal discuss the development of coal utilization.

Coal geology and mining are also presented in this journal. One paper analyzes type and rank variation of the Tertiary coals formation using petrographic examination, where was found that similarities and differences of type and rank of the coals reflect their geological setting. A study on type and thickness of such rock as overburden on the coal seam by using geophysical prospecting method was realized a reasonable mining activity, whether the coal seam could be mined by open pit method or by underground method. At the end of the present journal, however, a paper come out with an analysis of vibration due to blasting activities in coal mines and its influences surroun- ding areas and safety.

The Editor.