Berau Coal?s Lati mine increases stockpile and crushing capacity

Coal mining firm Berau Coal plans to double stockpile capacity in Lati mine from the 200,000 tons presently to 400,000 tons in 2002, according a company executive.

?We are currently doing the construction and we hope the works can be completed in March 2002,? Tria Suprajeni, Berau?s GM for finance and administration told Petromindo.com in an interview Sunday.

He said the increase was necessary in order to cater for increasing production from lati mine, which is expected to produce 4.8 million tons of coal in 2002. In 2001, Lati is expected to produce 3.6 million tons of coal.

He also said the company also plan to increase the mine?s crushing plant capacity from current 4.6 million tons per annum to 6.5 million tons PA next year in anticipation of 2003 production capacity increase.

Berau Coal, which is located in Berau regency, East Kalimantan, currently operates Lati, Binungan and Sambarata mines with 2001 combined production estimated at 7 million tons. (alex)