IBT resumes operations, lifts force majeure status

South Kalimantan coal terminal operator PT. Indonesia Bulk Terminal (IBT) has resumed normal operations as it had completed repairing broken conveyor.

?IBT had resumed normal operations and had lifted force majeure status on Saturday afternoon, April 3, 2004,? operation manager Munawir Saefudin told Petromindo.Com said on Tuesday.

IBT was forced to cease loading operations and declared force majeure on March 20, after conveyor belt that used to load coal broke down.

Munawir said the two-week stoppage would not significantly affect the company?s this year throughput target of more than 7 million tons.

Earlier, IBT?s shareholder Australian firm New Hope Corp. said that IBT is evaluating stockpile and coal handling operations to enable an increasing proportion of third party coal throughput and had entered into handling agreements with several coal producers.

IBT?s major client is its affiliated company South Kalimantan coal producer PT. Adaro Indonesia. Adaro shipped some 6 million tons of coal from IBT last year. Other clients are Arutmin Indonesia, Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku, Aspac Coalindo and Marunda Graha Minerals. (robert)