Govt reports coal output up, gold, tin down in 2008

Indonesia's output of coal rose slightly this year, but production of other key commodities including copper and tin fell amid a recent downturn in commodity prices, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said on Tuesday.

Coal output in 2008 is estimated at 225-230 million tons, up from 217 million tons in 2007. The output will be around 236 million tons next year, Bambang Gatot Ariyono, the ministry's Director of Mineral and Coal Enterprises said.

Copper output fell 27 percent to an estimated 580,950 tons this year, from 797,400 tons last year. Meanwhile, gold output fell to an estimated 57.94 tons this year, from 117.73 tons last year.

The decline in the copper output was due to a production problem at PT Freeport Indonesia's mines in Papua and problems at PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, which is thus far unable to obtain a land lease and use permit.

Output of refined tin may decline to 79,210 tons this year, from 91,280 tons in 2007, while nickel-in-matte output may be down to 74,160 tons this year, from 77,930 tons in 2007.

He said overall investment in the mining sector rose to $1.6 billion in 2008, from $1.2 billion in 2007. (godang)