Benakat coal unit to start production in new block next year

By Thomas sembiring

South Sumatra coal firm PT Putra Hulu Lematang (PHL), an indirect subsidiary of IDX-listed PT Benakat Integra Tbk, said it plans to start production next year at a new coal block in the northern part of its concession in Lahat Regency.

?Operation target next year is to continue development of the mining block in the northern area,? said Adhi Utomo Jusman, a Director at Benakat on Tuesday.

He added that the mining block in the southern part of the concession is set end production in February of next year. The block?s remaining reserves currently stand at 35,000 tons.

He said that PHL has yet to decide on coal production target for next year as exploration activities in the northern part of the concession are still in progress. As per October of this year, PHL?s production reached 114,000 tons.

Benakat through subsidiary PT Mega Abadi Jayatama owns 50 percent of PHL.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak