State-owned coal producer PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (PTBA) Tbk booked net profit of Rp1.16 trillion in the first half of 2014, grew by 33% from the corresponding period of 2013 due to higher sales volume and improved profit margin despite falling prices. Also in this report: Geo Energy’s Notes and New Coal Export Policy.

China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd, one of the world’s largest coal players, sold 234.6 million tons of coal in the first half of 2014, down 3.3% from the corresponding period of 2013 despite 5.5% sales growth last month. Wesfarmers Resources, meanwhile, reported unchanged price settlement for its hard coking coal for July-September 2014.

Shares of coal producers and mining contractors end mixed Wednesday (July 16) as there were no catalysts for substantial change. Indika Energy gained 3.82%, but Bumi Resources down 0.63%. United Tractors and Delta Dunia Makmur also end lower on persistent weakness of mining industry. Companies in this report: Pan Asia, Rio Tinto, China Coal Energy, and Jatenergy.

In ten years time, some major coal concessions have to be converted from coal contract of work (CCOW) into the new mining business license (IUP) pursuant to Law No 4/2009 about mineral and coal mining. That means maximum mining area of these CCOWs have to be adjusted significantly down to 15,000 hectares.

Shares of PT Mitrabara Adiperdana (MBAP) Tbk, a coal producer, gained more than 10% on its trading debut at Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) this morning. Overall market sentiment helped MBAP because the sector is still under lots of pressures. Companies in this report: Cokal and Orpheus.

Shares of coal producers listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) end mixed Monday (July 7). Some responded negatively government’s plan to raise coal royalty for open pit mining business license (IUPs), while others gained on broad market sentiment as Indonesian reference price of thermal coal drops further for July 2014.

The government sends out stronger signal that royalty to be paid by holders of coal producers operating under mining business permit (IUP) regime will be raised to between 7% and 13.5% in the coming months. Also in this report: Bukit Asam, Tata Power, Tanjung Jati B, etc.

ASX-listed South East Asia Resources Ltd has secured additional funding for its coking coal project in East Kalimantan. Cokal Ltd, also listed on ASX, meanwhile, has secured the crucial forestry permit to proceed with commercial operation of its asset in Central Kalimantan. Also in this report: Garda Tujuh Buana.

Junior coal player Geo Energy Resources Ltd, which controls some coal concessions in Kalimantan, has on Monday (June 30) established a S$300 million multi-currency medium term note program with United Overseas Bank (UOB) Ltd as the sole arranger and dealer. Orpheus Energy Ltd, meanwhile, divested some of its coal assets.