Chinese investors to develop coalmine in South Sumatra

A group of Chinese investors have expressed their keen interest to develop a coalmine in Musi Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, as part of an integral plan to set up a coal-fired power plant in the regency, Media Indonesia reported on Monday.

The regent of the Musi Banyuasin regency, Alex Noerdin, said in the regency's capital of Sekayu on Saturday that a delegation of 28 Chinese businessmen were currently in the regency to explore the possibility of investing in the coalmining sector.

"The Chinese investors will be in Musi Banyuasin for at least a week to carry out a field survey on the condition of the coal deposits," the regent said, adding that the coalmine development would be part of their plan to set up a mine-mouth power plant in the regency.

"We have a keen interest to develop a mine-mouth power plant in Musi Banyuasin," said Zhan Wei, the head of the Chinese trade delegation. But he declined to disclose the amount of funds to be invested in development of the coalmine and power plant. (*)