Indonesian Coal Output Seen Missing Forecast as Mines Idle

Coal output from Indonesia, the world’s largest exporter of the fuel for power stations, may be 2.5 percent lower than initial forecasts this year as miners slow expansion amid a decline in prices.

Indonesia may produce 390 million metric tons this year, compared with the forecast of 400 million made in February, Bob Kamandanu, the chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association, said in an interview last week before addressing the annual Coaltrans Asia conference in Bali today. Low prices have hurt smaller miners, prompting them to close or temporary suspend their business, he said.