Fire at PTBA's Ombilin coal mine continues

Fire at state owned coal mining producer PT Batubara Bukit Asam's Ombilin underground coal mine in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra lingers as the company faces difficulties to reach the source of the fire, Kompas reported on Monday.

The local residents said Saturday that they feared that the fire which began early last week would be followed by a gas explosion if no immediate efforts were made to stop the fires.

"Gas explosion can take place any time, like those taking place in the same coal mine in 2002. The explosion had affected the area within 20 kilometers from the mine," one of the residents said.

The fire occurred at one of underground mining area operated by PT BA's Ombilin unit in Sawahlunto. The fire which hit the mining area located about 60 meters under the sea level, have been caused by a leakage in the mine's barrier pillar which has been in operation for more than 100 years.

Mustav Sjab, the technical director of the Ombilin coal mine, said that all of the workers had been asked to stop their activities. "It is difficult to stop the fire because it occurred on the roof plate of the underground mine," he added. (*)