A review of the history of coal exploration, discovery and production in Indonesia: The interplay of legal framework, coal geology and exploration strategy

During the early coal search, most private companies targeted relatively higher rank (typically higher calorific value) steam coal for export. Therefore, the typical focus of initial exploration included those areas that were geologically prospective for this type of coal and which also had potential for low transport costs. These conditions were met in some areas within Kalimantan near the east and southeast coasts or near rivers navigable by barges. This early focus later widened to include lower rank sub bituminous coal and lignite, suitable for Indonesia's domestic markets and as a blend coal in India, China, and countries of SE Asia. More recently, successful exploration was undertaken in remote areas of the Kalimantan interior for coking coal - finally achieving success some 35 to 40 years after the first reported coking coal exploration in Kalimantan in the 1960s.