IL&FS Maritime selecting contractors to develop S. Kalimantan coal mine

Indian firm IL&FS Maritime Infrastructure Company Limited is looking for a mine contractor to develop the mines of its newly acquired mine PT Mantimin Coal Mining in South Kalimantan.

The company?s official told Petromindo.Com that the firm is selecting several interested contractors and the result of the selection will be announced in six months. He however did not identify the interested contractors.

The company plans to start commercial coal production in 2012 with initial production of 1 million tonnes per annum which will be ramped up to 5 million tonnes in a couple of years.

The company is also studying three options for the construction of a haul road to bring coal to a river port.

The company bought the mine around February or March last year from PT Hasnur Group. Mantimin, a coal contract of work (CCoW) holder, has concession in Hulu Sungai Tengah, Hulu Sungai Utara and Tabalong regencies, covering an area of 100,000 hectares.

The calorific value of its coal is around 5,400-5,200 kcal/kg (ADB).

A Hasnur official said last year that Hasnur had estimated the total investment needed to develop the mine at around US$150 million, including for the construction of a 130-km haul road from the mine to a port. (denny)