The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (ICMA) anticipates that the country's coal output for the year 2023 will surpass the set official target of 695 million metric tons, as confirmed by Hendra Sinadia, the executive director of ICMA, on Wednesday.

Sinadia noted that the current coal production has already reached 690 million tons, suggesting an estimation that production is likely to surpass the targeted figure by the year-end. He highlighted that the average monthly coal output in September and October was recorded at 61 million tons.

However, Sinadia pointed out a potential decline in monthly output due to the onset of the rainy season in Indonesia. While acknowledging the forthcoming decrease, he refrained from providing a specific estimate for the decline.

According to data from the mining ministry, Indonesia's coal output for the year up to now stands at 689.37 million tons, while exports have reached 350.05 million tons. Comparatively, the coal output for the year 2022 was 687 million tons, with exports amounting to 494 million tons.

Earlier this year, the world's largest thermal coal exporter had set its export target at 457.3 million tons.