Berau boosts production to meet customers? demand

East Kalimantan coal producer PT.Berau Coal plans to increase sales to 14.5 million tonnes this year or 1 million tonnes more than previously planned to meet increasing demand from both local and overseas customers, a company official said.

Marketing Manager Eko Budi Natalina told Petromindo.Com on Friday that in 2007 the company achieved production of 12.076 million tonnes, 65 percent of which were sold to overseas customers.

Eko said in 2008 the company will sell 2 million tonnes to Chinese customers and 1.5 million tonnes to Indian customers.

Eko said in October 31, 2007 interview that its entire export commitment for 2008 had been sold out.

He, however, said that the company?s January production might be negatively affected constant rain that hit the mine. ?We?re predicting production loss of 30 percent due to rain,? he said. (godang)