EGAT eyeing Indonesia coal mine investment

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is considering investing in a coal mine in Indonesia through its wholly owned subsidiary Egat International Co to secure fuel for power generation, Bangkok Post reported on Tuesday.

Egat governor Sombat Santijaree said the state utility had been approached about acquiring the mining licences of several coal mines, mainly located in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Egat is now looking into the mines' commercial viability.

''Some mines have finished the exploration process and some are being explored and we will have to make an in-depth study to find the exact figure of coal reserves. If [the mines] prove viable, we hope to obtain the output to use in coal-fired power plants in Thailand,'' Sombat said.

Egat would seek local partners to help operate the mines in order to reduce financing risk and other uncertainties, the report said. (*)