Banpu reports 2008 lower coal sales

Thai energy firm Banpu Plc reported Thursday that its 2008 coal sales reached 18.487 million, lower 4% compared to 2007 production because lower production at Indonesian mines.

Coal from Indonesian mines reached of 17.708 million tonnes, the company said in statement.

?The company's coal mines in Indonesia encountered one of the wettest rainy season in Kalimantan. Impact from rainfall was the most severe in South Kalimantan, where Jorong mine is located. Indominco, apart from facing weather difficulty, also had to cope with geological challenge as it started to mine at a new and deeper area to take advantage of the higher price,? it said.

Trubaindo was less affected by rain with sale volume rose to 4.6 million tonnes, higher compared to 3.7 million tonnes in 2007.

Average coal selling price was US$ 72 per tonne, increasing 75% due to increased coal market price and a higher portion of sale volume from high quality coal.

Diesel price in Indonesia rose to $ 1.02 per liter from $ 0.67 per liter in 2007.

In 2008 the company made strategic increase in mining ratio at Indominco and Trubaindo to optimize production cost under the higher coal price environment, resulting in higher mining cost at both mines, it added. (denny)

Source	Coal Sales in 2008 (Million Tonnes)
Jorong	2.457
Indominco	10.639
Kitadin Embalut	0.000
Trubaindo	4.612