Pengembangan batubara secara intensif telah dilakukan 18 tahun yang lalu yaitu sejak awal Repelita III tahun 1976 dengan ditetapkannya kebijaksanaan diversifikasi energi.
Unlike European, American or even Australian coals, Indian coals are high in ash and are difficult to was because of intimate dispersal of mineral matter within the coal subtance.
Indonesia start with its second twenty five year development plan in April 1994, it is essential for the counrtry to esabilish an energy master plan for national development.