Semirara Mining Corp the country’s biggest coal producer said that output in 2011 reached about 7.19 million tonnes, approximately matching the level in the previous year.

According to data from the Energy Department, Semirara’s production in Semirara Island, Antique accounted for 94% of the country’s total output of 7.611 million tonnes.

The Philippines also produces coal from Zamboanga Sibugay (168,951 MT), Cebu (85,063 MT), Batan Island, Albay (18,395 MT), Surigao (26,980 MT), Negros Occidental (2,060 MT) and small scale coal mines (119,521 MT).

The Philippines, meanwhile, imported 10.894 million tonne of coal from Indonesia and 68,169 tonne from Vietnam.

Semirara exported 2.68 million tonne last year, mostly to China at 2.68 million MT and Thailand at 54,754 tonne.

The power industry consumed bulk of the country’s coal requirements of 14.23 million tonne in 2011, or 10.58 million tonne while by the cement industry used 3.1 million tonne.

Energy Undersecretary Jay Layug earlier said government was promoting the development of coal areas amid a potential of up to 2.4 billion tonne against actual production of just around 7.3 million tonne a year.

(Sourced from Manila Standard)