Arutmin says fuel seizure only causes minor operations halt

South Kalimantan coalminer PT.Arutmin idnonesia, a unit of JSX-listed coal mining house PT.Bumi resources tbk. denied on Wednesday media reports that said the company?s entire mining operations stopped after local navy seized vessels that carried the company?s fuel oil.

?The all mines and ports are in full operations despite minor delay in shipment of fuels. Our fuel stock is sufficient to support mining operations for a few week until shipments of fuel arrive,? said operational director Endang Ruchijat in a press release made available to Petromindo.Com.

The release said that the delay of fuel shipments due to administration issue only impacted Senakin mine, one of the company?s four sites.

?As of today, we are working to add fuel stock, which will ensure the full operations at Senakin mine by tomorrow.?

The statement was somewhat contradicted to his earlier statement to Petromindo.Com that Satui mine would also be closed if the seized fuel vessels were not release by Wednesday.

The navy seized three vessels carrying fuel from state oil and gas company Pertamina on the ground that the vessels did not carry valid delivery order. A Pertamina official contacted by Petromnido.Com on Wednesday said that the fuel carried by the vessels are legal and bought at international price. (alex)