Fire does not affect PT BA's mining operation

The fire which took place at PT Batubara Bukit Asam's (PT BA's) former underground mining area in the Ombilin mining site, in West Sumatra, did not affect the firm's existing mining activities, the company said Monday.

The company' corporate secretary Milawarma said that the fire occurred at the former mining area in Sawah Rasau, Ombilin due to self combustion, triggered by illegal mining activities.

But the fire which began early last week did not affect production activities in the existing coal mining sites which are mostly located in Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra, he said.

The local residents said Saturday that the they feared that the fire which began early last week could be followed by a gas explosion if no immediate efforts were made to stop the fires. It is not known of the company has been able to stop the fire. (*)