Banpu lifts Jorong force majeure status

South Kalimantan coal mining firm PT Jorong Barutama Greston has lifted force majeure status on its coal shipment as production from the mine has gradually returned back to normal.

Leksono Poeranto, Deputy Director of Banpu Indonesia told Petromindo.Com on Thursday that the force majeure status has been lifted since August 7. Shipments of coal has resumed and coal shipments that could not be delivered had been rescheduled, he said.

Leksono said rainfall at the mine was now at the level that allowed normal mining operations.

Jorong, a unit of Thai energy firm Banpu Plc declared force majeure status since last months as the heavy rainfall that hit the mine?s area forced the company to significantly reduced its coal production.

Jorong, which sell its coal production to domestic and export market, plans to produce 3.5 million tonnes in 2007.(alex)