Bangka imports high grade coal from Vietnam

Tin smelting companies in Bangka Belitung province mostly import coal from Vietnam because local coal such as from South Sumatra and Kalimantan are mostly of low grade, Kompas reported on Wednesday.

According to data provided by the local office of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II in the province's capital Pangkal Pinang, the value of the province's coal imports had reached a total of Rp 12 billion.

The chairman of the association of Indonesian tin smelting companies, Apik Rasjidi, said that the local smelters preferred to import coal from Vietnam rather than using coal from Kalimantan or South Sumatra because those imported Vietnam had higher grade.

According to him, the Vietnamese coal with 7,000 calorie content is better than locals which mostly have 6,000 calorie content. "This is the reason why local tin smelters still prefer to import coal from Vietnam," he added. (*)