Banpu?s Bharinto to start coal production in 2010

Indonesian unit of Thai energy conglomerate Banpu PCL said its Kalimantan coal mining subsidiary PT.Bharinto Ekatama would start production in 2010.

PT.Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITM) CEO Somyot Ruchirawat said on Wednesday that Bharinto would start production at 500,000 tonnes in the first year, ramping up to installed capacity of 3MTPA within the next three years.

Bharinto is located in West Kutai regency, East Kalimantan and Barito Utara regency, Central Kalimantan, covering an area of 22,000 km2. The mine location is adjacent to ITM?s other mine PT.Trubaindo Coal Mining, which is currently in production.

Bharinto has secured construction permit from the government since August 2007, but the company has not started significant activities in the mine. ?ITM is currently focusing to establish production facilities at Trubaindo, which will also be used by Bharinto,? CFO Edward Manurung said.

The mine will produce coal with CV range of 6,400-6,800 Kcal/kg. (denny)