Asmin Bara delays coal production to Q1 2011

Central Kalimantan's coal miners PT Asmin Bara Bronang (ABB) and PT Asmin Bara Jaan (ABJ), both affiliates of PT Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line Tbk, have delayed first coal production to March 2011 from October this year, Arpeni?s CEO Oentoro Surya told Petromindo.Com on Thursday.

ABB has high quality coal with CV of around 6,800-7,000 kcal/kg, while ABJ's coal has CV of around 5,800-6,000 kcal/kg, he said without giving further details.

Oentoro said last January that ABB will produce 1.5 million tons of coal in 2011 and 3.5 million tons (MT) in 2012. Meanwhile, ABJ, located close to ABB, will start production in 2011. Both miners planned to produce a combined 10 MTPA within the next few years, he then said.

The companies will build 87-km haul road from the mines to Barito River, where coal will be barged to Arpeni?s floating storage and unloader barge.

In March 2010, PT Pamapersada Nusantara, a unit of Indonesia-listed heavy equipment distributor and miner PT United Tractors Tbk, signed an agreement to buy 30 percent stake in each of ABB and ABJ. (kanti)