Coal Downstream Potential in Central Kalimantan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59888/ajosh.v4i6.687Keywords:
Coal Management, Environmental Issues, Deforestation, Land Degradation, Global DecarbonizationAbstract
The management and utilization of coal raise new environmental challenges, such as deforestation and land degradation. The issue of global decarbonization requires that coal utilization operate within permitted capacity limits. Based on its diverse characteristics, coal can be utilized as a processed product. Downstream development through advanced coal processing can increase economic value and optimize land use more efficiently. Data were collected from various references, including scientific journals, research reports, government regulations, and related agency documents. The results provide recommendations for coal downstream development, such as optimizing the use of coal as a processed product for the production of methanol and dimethyl ether (DME), which function as alternative fuels and industrial raw materials, as well as synthetic natural gas (SNG) as a substitute for natural gas in various sectors. Coal liquefaction can convert coal into liquid hydrocarbons or fuel oil, thereby increasing its added value. Coal–biomass briquettes can produce smokeless fuel and be used for co-firing in steam power plants (PLTU). Extraction of rare earth elements (LTJ) from coal combustion residues also presents potential, as LTJ have high economic value and are fundamental to modern industries. The application of clean coal technologies, including Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), can reduce carbon emissions from coal utilization. Based on these results, diversification of coal utilization through downstream development and clean technologies represents a strategic effort to address environmental challenges and respond to global decarbonization issues in Central Kalimantan Province.
References
Agustino, D., Mulyani, R., & Hidayat, S. (2021). Coal processing and its environmental impacts: A comprehensive review of policies and technologies. International Journal of Coal Geology, 231, 103687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2020.103687
Ansari, A., El-Hussain, I., Deif, A., Mohamed, A. M. E., Al-Shijbi, Y., Al-Jabri, K., Mandhaniya, P., Lee, J.-H., Alluqmani, A. E., & Mutaz, E. (2025). Integrated GIS-AHP based assessment of earthquake vulnerability and risk for urban residential buildings in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 31995.
Bao, Z., Li, S., Chen, Y., Xie, H., Long, W., & Chen, W. (2025). Applications of geospatial technologies for construction and demolition waste management: A systematic literature review. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 29(1), 279–297.
Contreras, M., Chamorro, A., Gómez, T., Echaveguren, T., & Molinos-Senante, M. (2025). Bridging technical and social dimensions in critical infrastructure accessibility assessment: A case study from Chile. International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 100811.
Hidayat, R., & Putra, P. (2021). Opportunities and challenges in the coal downstream industry in Indonesia: A case study of Central Kalimantan. Journal of Cleaner Production, 283, 125273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125273
Kartikasari, R., Rachmansyah, A., & Leksono, A. S. (2019). Impact of coal mining in forest area to carbon emission in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan. Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam Dan Lingkungan (Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Management), 9(4), 1066–1074.
Kurniawan, F., Hendra, M., & Purnama, T. (2022). Sustainable coal utilization: Strategic approaches in Indonesia’s coal industry. Energy Policy, 151, 112073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.112073
Liu, Y., & Zhang, L. (2020). Technological advancements in coal processing for decarbonization: A global perspective. Energy Reports, 6, 1470–1482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.07.006
Monica, F., Fitri, M. M., Umar, I., Amran, A., & Gusman, M. (2023). Distribution of potential resources, reserves and use of coal in Indonesia. Science and Environmental Journal for Postgraduate, 5(2), 119–126.
Nwala, K. C., Kabeyi, M. J. B., & Olanrewaju, O. A. (2025). A visual and strategic framework for integrated renewable energy systems: Bridging technological, economic, environmental, social, and regulatory dimensions. Energies, 18(20), 5468.
Rachmat, A., Siregar, E., & Hadi, F. (2021). Environmental and economic considerations of coal processing in Indonesia: A policy review. Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, 23(4), 497–514. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10018-021-00343-3
Ramadhan, H. A., Nofyanza, S., Liswanti, N., Dwisatrio, B., Graham, L., Segah, H., & Pitoyo, D. (2025). Challenges of collaborative governance peatlands in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. CIFOR.
Saining, A., Udiansyah, W. T. I., & Sukarna, R. M. (2025). Stakeholder perspectives on sustainable forest management and conservation in post-coal mining landscapes of PT. Asmin Bara Bronang, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. Restoration, 29, 30.
Santoso, T., & Wijaya, M. (2022). Sustainable coal downstream development in Indonesia: A policy framework and future directions. Resources Policy, 72, 102062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102062
Supriyadi, A., & Susanto, S. (2022). Coal downstream potential in Indonesia: Integrating technology and policy for sustainable development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 142, 110850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.110850
Wang, H., Li, J., & Zhao, T. (2020). The role of coal processing in sustainable development: Challenges and opportunities. Energy, 210, 118633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118633
Zhang, W., Cheng, X., & Liu, B. (2021). Environmental and economic analysis of coal utilization in the context of global decarbonization. Journal of Environmental Management, 286, 112251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112251
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Deddy Tanggara, Dody A.K. Wijaya, Wita Kristiana, Nuansa Mare Apui Ganang, I Dewa Made Prawindya Kumara

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.







