India?s Archean Group to boost 2011 Sumatra coal output

India?s diversified industrial conglomerate Archean Group through its Indonesian coal units expect to boost coal production at Sumatra coal mines, the parent company said last week.

Archean will increase coal output to 1.5-2.0 million tons in 2011 from this year?s target of 1.2 million tons at its North Bengkulu coal unit PT Core Mineral Indonesia, Manager ? Coal & Power Bharath Srinivasan told Petromindo.Com.

Core Mineral Indonesia started coal production in 2007. The mine has reserve of 200 million tons with low ash and low shulfur contents.

Another coal mine, which is located also in North Bengkulu called ?Putri Hijau? mine will start coal production in early 2011 with initial target of 1 million tons in the first year, he said.

Archean Group has some others coal mines including in South Sumatra, Jambi and East Kalimantan, he said without giving further details. (denny)