GTB to begin supply of coal to Philippines, Middle East

East Kalimantan based coal miner PT Garda Tujuh Buana (GTB) said Tuesday it had clinched a deal to supply a total of 1.7 million tons of coal to the Philippines through the latter's state-owned energy marketing firm PNOC Exploration Corp.

GTB?s marketing manager Edi Wiyantoro told Petromindo.Com that GTB would supply around 30,000 ? 40,000 tons of coal per month to Napocor-operated power plant in Quezon province starting this month (May).

Edi also said GTB was finalizing another coal supply contract of around three million tons to a Middle East country.

Edi declined to give further information but said that the first shipment to Middle East was scheduled in September this year.

GTB operates a 2,000-hectare mining concession located in Bunyu Island, believed to contain coal reserves of around 235 million tons with calorific value ranging from 5,000-5,200 kcal/kg.

The company?s mining facilities are able to support production and sales of around 5 million tons of coal per year.

Edi added that some buyers from Belgium and China also shown interest to buy GTB?s product. (robert)