B50 Trials in Mining Sector Show Positive Results, Government Prepares National Implementation

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is preparing the foundation for national implementation of 50% biodiesel (B50) after trial results on heavy mining equipment showed positive performance. These findings serve as an initial basis for the government in refining policy direction and technical standards for widespread B50 utilisation.

The Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of ESDM, Eniya Listiani Dewi, stated that the ongoing B50 trials have so far demonstrated stable performance, both technically and operationally. According to her, these results are significant because the mining sector involves high workloads and demands consistent engine durability.

“Overall, the interim results of B50 usage trials on diesel engines in the mining sector show stable performance, with no significant disruptions to the engines found,” said Eniya in Jakarta, quoted on Tuesday (7/4/2026).

She explained that the B50 testing on heavy mining equipment was conducted comprehensively. The scope included fuel quality, engine performance, operational durability, and storage stability.

As of the end of March 2026, dynamic endurance testing had exceeded 900 hours of operation without any indications of engine disruptions caused by fuel quality. These results strengthen the government’s confidence that B50 is technically ready to proceed to broader testing stages.

Field testing results from industry players also align in the same direction. General Manager Plant of PT Harmoni Panca Utama (HPU), Rochman Alamsjah, stated that his company conducted a direct comparison of B40 and B50 usage on heavy equipment units.

“Currently, we have been running approximately 1,000 hours, comparing the performance of two Komatsu HD785 units, one consuming B40 and the other B50,” said Rochman.

He explained that up to nearly 1,000 hours of operation, the engine performance showed no major issues. The observation still being monitored is the B50 fuel consumption, which was recorded slightly higher than B40.

In the testing, B50 fuel consumption was recorded to increase by about 3.12% compared to B40. This increase is still considered within reasonable limits and has not significantly affected heavy equipment productivity.