Harsco to start shipment of coking coal to Japan

PT Harsco Mineral has clinched deal to ship one handymax of coking coal from its East Kalimantan mine to undisclosed buyer in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2010 or early 2011.

Managing Director Harsono D. Amidjojo told Petromindo.Com on Tuesday that the Company is also in talks to sell its entire future production to a Japanese company. He did not disclose if both buyers are the same company.

Harsono said the mine, which is located in Kutai Kartanegare regency will start commercial operations in the third quarter of 2010, one quarter later than originally planned.

He said the Company has appointed a local company PT Bangun Karya Pratama Lestari as mining contractor.

Harsono said in earlier interview that production will start with 20,000 tonnes per month for the first four month, ramping up to 50,000 tonnes per month afterwards.

Harsco currently has 3 million tones of mineable coking reserves in the southern part of its concession and a number of potential reserves at other blocks which are currently under exploration.(denny)