Hanson in talks with S. Korea firm over S. Sumatra coalmine JV

Coal miner Hanson Energy said on Tuesday that it had held preliminary talks with South Korean securities firm Good Morning Shinhan to jointly develop Hanson's coal mining concession in South Sumatra.

CEO Harun Setiawan Boedi told Petromindo.Com that the talks was the result from its recent non-deal road show to South Korea.

Hanson expects its mine, which is located in the regency of Ogan Komering Ulu, could start production in 2009 if it wins coal supply contract to state electricity firm PLN.

Hanson, which is a unit of JSX-listed firm Hanson International Tbk. plans to produce 2.5-3 million tonnes of coal per annum from the mine.

The company is also in talks with German firm Thyssen Krupp AG to jointly build an overland conveyor to transport the coal to Tarahan port in Lampung.

Meanwhile, he also said that Hanson is finalizing talks to acquire East Kalimantan coal concessions. ?We hope to be able to reach conclusion within two weeks? time,? he said.

The acquisition target is already in production, producing coal with 6,300Kcal/kg, he said, without providing further detail. (denny)