Arutmin completes underground coal mining pilot project

South Kalimantan-based coal miner PT Arutmin Indonesia, a subsidiary of Bumi Resources Tbk, has completed a underground pilot project at its Satui mining site and found it "feasible technically and economically.

"An underground mine in Satui is considered feasible. We carried out an underground pilot project there for five years," the company's Mine Engineering Head Sudirman Widhy Harsono said

He added that the firm would carry out a similar project at its another mining site, Senakin.

"Our pre-feasibility study team is now on the field to prepare the pilot project," he said.

He said Arun would apply a full-mechanism system in its underground operation, using "continous miner" equipement to be supplied by Tunnel Miner Australia.

Arutmin would become the first mining company in Indonesia to apply a full-mechanism system in its underground operation, he said. Under the system, all mining activities will be carried by workers using machines. (Bernard)