Baturona to boost coal output in 2012, looks for new buyers

South Sumatra coal miner PT Baturona Adimulya plans to ramp up its coal production to 3 million tonnes, all of low-rank type, next year from 80,000-100,000 tonnes per month at present, the company?s official told Petromindo.Com.

The official said that the company is expanding its infrastructure by among others increasing its jetty port's capacity and improving its haul-road. ?We will gradually increase our coal production, starting this September,? the official said without elaborating on the production rate.

The company hauls its coal over 40-km road to Sungai Dawas Jetty and from there to Bangka Channel. The company?s jetty could serve 270 feet barges.

The company send most of its coal to China and some to the local cement producer. ?We have commitment to supply the Chinese buyers with panamax vessel of coal every month until December 2011,? the official said.

?After 2011, we think we?ll open to any potential buyers,? the official said.

Last year, the company produced 40,000 tonnes per month of coal, the official added.

Baturona is a third generation CCoW holder, mining for coal in Sungai Lilin and Keluang districts, Musi Banyuasin regency. (denny)