16 companies explores coal in Central Kalimantan
Tuesday, September 12 2000 - 05:30 AM WIB
North Barito district chief H. Badaruddin said over the weekend that currently 16 coal mining companies are now holding the local administration`s approval to operate in the coal mining sector in the province. However, most of the companies were still in the stage of exploration.
"Only PT. Marunda Grahamineral is scheduled to reach the actual mining stage in 2000. Its concession area is 72,120 hectares wide and located in Laung Tuhup subdistrict which is estimated to have 19.125 million tons of coal deposits," he said.
Coal mining companies now in the stage of exploration were among others PT. Manunggal Pintu Mas on l2,008 hectares of land, PT. Koda Jaya Duaribu Abadi on 128,200 hectares and PT. Barito Putra on 3,176 hectares.
While the other companies in the stage of studying are among others PT. Asmin Barajan on 10,990 hectares, PT. Dhamar Tekokencono on 131,300 hectares and PT. Suprabari Mapanindo Mineral on 97,420 htares, he said adding that the coal mining ventures are spread over in some subdistricts, including Gunung Purei, Lahei, Gunung Timang, East Teweh and Laung Tuhup.
"The involvement of a number of foreign investors in the coal mining sector in the province is expected to accelerate the development of the region, particularly in facing the implementation of regional autonomy," he said. (*)