Bumi Resources raises coal exports and price to Japan

Indonesia?s largest coal producer PT Bumi Resources will increase coal exports to Japan at a higher price next year, according to an official.

Kazuya Tanaka, Bumi Resources? representative director in Japan, told ?Coaltech Conference? in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday that Bumi?s exports to Japan would increase to 15 million tons next year from 11 million tons this year.

Eight million tons will come from PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) in East Kalimantan and another 7 million tons from PT Arutmin Indonesia in South Kalimantan.

This year, KPC and Arutmin have targeted to export 6 million tons and 5 million tons to the nation, respectively..

He also said Bumi will sell its coal in Japan at an average price of US$55 per ton next year, up from $45 per ton this year.

According to Tanaka, Bumi will increase its output to 55 million tons next year (32 million tons from KPC, 18 million tons from Arutmin), from 38 million tons this year (22 million tons from KPC, 16 million tons from Arutmin). KPC?s additional output will mostly come from the Bengalon field.

Tanaka further said that Bumi was still negotiating to supply 500,000 tons of coal to the Tanjung Jati B power plant in Central Java for the plant?s commissioning next year. The power plant, which is now under construction, is designed to be fed with coal of the type produced at KPC?s Bengalon field. (Alex)