KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. Indonesia's benchmark coal prices fell below $ 90 per ton. Based on data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the benchmark coal price in April 2019 was recorded at $ 88.85 per ton, down 1.89% from March 2019 which amounted to $ 90.57 per ton.

Bambang Gatot Ariyono, Director General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said the decline in the benchmark coal price was due to market dynamics. Especially supply and demand from China.

Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association Hendra Sinadia said that China still plays an essential role in the market and the formation of coal prices.

According to Hendra, the decline in coal prices was a reference in April, because the price of high-calorie coal declined. This was alleged as an impact of China's policies that slowed coal imports from Australia.

The benchmark coal price has continued to fall since September 2018. Last time, the benchmark coal price rose in August 2018 to $ 107.83 per ton.

After that, Indonesia's benchmark coal price continued to decline to touch the lowest level in April 2019.

Editor: Khomarul Hidayat