The Indonesian province of South Sumatra will ban movement of coal trucks in all public roads starting January 2026 as part of plans to reduce traffic jams and complaints from locals.

The ban could curtail output by 10mn t/yr, according to the provincial government. The latest order signed on 8 August also comes as authorities have sought stricter enforcement against vehicles exceeding permitted weight limits.

South Sumatra is one of Indonesia's biggest coal producing provinces, with 113.5mn t produced in 2024, accounting for 13.6pc of the country's total coal output. Most of the coal mined in the province is transported via train, while the remainder is shipped via road and river barges.

The provincial ban comes after the Lahat government suspended coal truck movement in South Sumatra's Lahat Regency because of a bridge collapse on 29 June, likely due to overloading of plying heavy vehicles. The Muara Lawai bridge — a key route linking coal mines in Lahat Regency to nearby jetty loading points — collapsed after coal trucks passed over it.

Authorities in South Sumatra are looking at alternate mode of transportation to minimise the impact of the proposed ban. It is considering using the Lematang River to transport coal from Lahat, Muara Enim, and Musi Banyuasin Regencies, the epicentres of coal mining activities in the province. Officials plan to conduct a channel survey to ensure that the riverway will be deep enough to support the passage of coal-laden barges.

The provincial government has also called on coal mining companies to use a new special coal road that is currently being developed in Lahat Regency. The 26.4km-long and 30m-wide road is a project by local coal mining firm Levi Bersaudara Abadi (LBA) and it is due to be completed by early 2026.

By Antonio delos Reyese