China’s proposed ban on the import of low-grade coal is likely to hit small Indonesian producers hard but most large miners will only suffer a minimal impact, according to analysts and industry executives.
Indonesia is the world’s biggest exporter of coal for power stations and as much as a third of its exports to China could be blocked if the plan is implemented as currently suggested.
The big Indonesian producers such as Jakarta-listed Bumi Resources and Adaro Energy have the ability to blend lower and higher grades of coal in order to meet the possible new Chinese requirements and have ready access to other potential markets such as India.