Ensure Coal Gasification Project Continues, Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Opens Opportunities For PKP2B Holding Companies

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia ensured that the coal gasification project into dimethyl ether (DME) will continue in the era of Prabowo Subianto's administration as president.

"In the future, we will encourage this as a form of downstreaming rather than coal. Continue to strive," said Bahlil, quoted on Tuesday, November 5.

Previously, this project would be carried out by PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) in collaboration with a partner from the United States (US), Air Product. However, this project was stopped because Air Product left and PTBA was still looking for a replacement partner.

However, Bahlil said that this gasification project would not only be carried out by PTBA but also by private companies holding the Coal Mining Concession Work Agreement (PKP2B). The reason is, one of the requirements for extending work contracts is downstream coal.

"Not only PTBA. For example, companies holding PKP2B, such as Adaro, Arutmin, KPC, Kodoko, they are required to extend to carry out downstreaming, one of which we will encourage is DME," said Bahlil.