Astri Mining Resources to ramp up output to 3m tons

By Cepi Setiadi

PT Astri Mining Resources (AMR), a low rank coal producer, in Batulicin, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, plans to ramp up its production from 2.5 million tons in 2013 to 3 million tons in 2014.

"Last year the weather was so extreme, hence we only produce 2.5 million tons. This year we will ramp up about 500,000 tons to reach 3 million tons and by another 500,000 in 2015, so we are targeting 3.5 million by next year," Henry Soetio, President Director of Astri Mining told Petromindo.com Thursday.

Henry revealed that the company's plan to increase output comes amid rising demand for its coal. "From January to August our coal has been fully booked," he said, adding that the coals are entirely exported to India. "We don't have any difficulty in selling our coal.?

Despite the higher production target, Henry said that the company will not spend more money for infrastructure development. "Our infrastructure from pit to port has been fully completed, we?re just budgeting around US$50 million for annual operational (budget) this year," he said.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak