Indonesia is targeting coal production of 710 million tonnes in 2024, higher than this year's goal, as the coal-rich country expects more domestic consumption of the fuel to power economic growth.

Irwandy Arif, a special staff to Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for the Acceleration of Mineral and Coal Governance, said domestic coal use is projected to reach 220 million tonnes in 2024.

"The trend in coal production is increasing. For 2023, the target is 695 million tonnes," Arif told reporters on the sidelines of a mining conference in Jakarta on December 19.

Indonesia, the world's largest thermal coal exporter, has been seeking to use more of its own coal resources to fuel power plants and industries. "The government encourages domestic use, especially for generating and industrial needs," the official said.

As of December 19, Indonesia had mined 734.12 million tonnes of coal this year, already reaching 105.7% of this year's target, data from the energy ministry showed.  

Indonesia's coal production is expected to reach a record high of 775.17 million tonnes in 2023, Lana Saria, director of coal business development at the ministry, said last week, which is 11% higher than the target.