ATPK reports 45% jump in Q3 coal output

By Romel S. Gurky

IDX-listed coal mining company PT ATPK Resources Tbk said that coal production in the third quarter of this year increased by 45 percent to 532,660 tons from 367,220 tons in the same period of last year.

The company said in a presentation material on Monday that production in the first nine months ending September reached 1.56 million tons. The company did not provide comparative figure.

Sales volume in the first nine months of this year also totaled 1.56 million tons, while third quarter sales volume was recorded at 532,660 tons.

ATPK through subsidiary PT Mega Alam Sejahtera operates a 3,274-hectare coal concession in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, producing coal with CV of 4,800-5,000 kcal/kg, and total moisture of 40 percent. The concession holds coal reserves of 41.47 million tons, according to SRK Consulting in 2006.

The company is seeking coal upgrading technology from various countries such as China and Japan to increase the quality of its coal in a bid to get new markets as it aims for production and sales target of 3 million tons in the future.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak