Arutmin to miss this year?s production target

South Kalimantan based coal mining firm PT Arutmin Indonesia said Tuesday it would miss this year output target of 11.7 million tons due to production disruptions.

?We predict this year?s production at 10 million tons, which is the same level with last year?s,? Sonny Pangestu, the company?s external relations manager told Petromindo.com.

Sonny said during 2001 the company had been hit by demonstrations by workers and local people, which significantly reduce the company?s production capability. He also said illegal miners had infested the company?s contract area, making the company unable to exploit the resource.

Sonny said Arutmin was expected to produce between 11 to 12 million tons of coal next year.

Arutmin is recently taken over from Australian resource firm BHP Billiton by local firm Bumi Resources which is controlled by near-bankrupt conglomerate Aburizal Bakrie. (godang)