Introduction

Depleting fuel reserves in the country is of course a very difficult task where the government must think about and look for other energy reserves that can replace fuel. Statistical data in 2005 showed that existing oil reserves were 9.1 billion barrels with a production level of 387 million barrels per year. This means that it is only enough to meet the needs for 23 years. With oil reserves increasingly depleting, the use and development of alternative energy has become very important in efforts to increase national energy security. One alternative energy that is prospective to be developed is coal.

Indonesia's coal resources total 61.27 billion tons (source: Directorate of Mineral and Coal Inventory, 2005) of which 10.37 billion tons are in the form of measurable reserves and 5.37 billion tons are mineable reserves. Most of these coal resources and reserves are found in Sumatra and Kalimantan and only less than 1% are spread across other large islands in Indonesia. This amount is the largest in the Southeast Asia region, but is still not significant enough compared to world reserves (+ 0.39%). Thus, in terms of the availability of coal resources, the high demand for coal in the future is not worrying.

The Coal Mining Engineering study program was established based on Decree of the Director General of Higher Education No. 4887/D/T/2006 dated 21 December 2006 concerning permission to administer the Diploma III Coal Mining Engineering study program at Akamigas Polytechnic Palembang. The development of this department is based on enthusiasm and sincerity to contribute significantly in preparing competent and qualified human resources to support the South Sumatra program as a National Energy Base. This is because one sector that plays an important role in efforts to answer the complexity of energy problems is the education sector. This sector plays a strategic role in improving the quality of human resources as the subject of HR management in energy.

Graduate Competencies

Graduates of the Coal Mining Engineering Study Program are prepared to become Associate Experts in the field of Coal Mining who master the main Mining skills and Mining supporting skills as follows:

Mining Key Skills

• Master the scope of mining activities in open pit mines that use mechanical equipment based on technical aspects
• Able to operate and compile technical reports using mining software
• Able to make short-term mine planning
• Able to understand the working principles and operate survey equipment (GPS, Waterpass and Total Station) and mine mapping

Mining Support Skills

• Able to recognize potential hazards and apply the principles of Occupational Health and Safety and the mining environment
• Able to understand the working principles and operate exploration geological equipment
• Able to calculate the need for explosives and the volume of material produced from mine blasting activities
• Able to understand working principles and carry out proximate coal analysis activities
• Able to understand the work stages and calculations required in mine drainage activities
• Able to understand the working principles and operating systems of underground coal mines.
• Able to understand the basic principles of mine inspection and assessment in technical aspects