Garda Tujuh Buana claims to produce 1.5-2 MT next year

Listed coal mining firm PT Garda Tujuh Buana has decided to temporarily stop production because it already has a large stockpile accumulated from last year's production. The firm however continues exploration activities in order to maintain high production rate in the future.

The company?s commissioner Pardeep Dhir said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the company sold about 100,000 tons this year, most of which were produced last year.

He claimed that the company had secured one-year contract for next year to export about 500,000 tons to India and another 480,000 tons to China. The company had also secured one-year contract to supply 10 percent of its total production to domestic market.

He did not divulge the names of the importers and domestic buyer but said that the prices are negotiated every three month

In October, the company exported about 28,501 tons to China.

Pardeep said that the company hoped it would be able to produce between 1.5 million to 2 million tons next year to meet sales commitment to overseas and domestic buyers.

To support production activities, the company has started the operation of a jetty which can receive a barge with a capacity of 10,000 tons. The company also operates a 450-meter conveyor with a capacity of 800 tons per hour and a coal crushing facility with a capacity of 400 tons per hour. (giok)