Anglo eyeing coal prospects in Indonesia, Australia, Columbia

Anglo American PLC is actively looking for thermal coal opportunities in Indonesia, Australia and Columbia, an executive said Monday.

Norman Mbazima, chief executive of the company?s thermal coal unit, said growth opportunities were being evaluated in countries that have become key exporters of thermal coal, namely Indonesia, Australia and Columbia.

The London-based company, which is the biggest miner of platinum, produces coal in South Africa. About 40 percent of its assets are in the country. Anglo will probably ship about 16 million tons of coal from South Africa this year, about the same amount as last year, Mbazima said. Shipments to India will increase from last year?s 4.9 million tons, he said. (*)