Interex delays coal production due to heavy rains

East Kalimantan-based coal miner PT Interex Sacra Raya (ISR) has recheduled the commencement of its coal production to June this year from March due to the rainy season.

?We have to reschedule the production commencement because the current mining infrastructures are not able to anticipate the heavy rains,? ISR president Frans Nongka told Petromindo.Com on Monday.

Frans said ISR planned to produce 20,000 tons of coal monthly starting from June through August this year, but production would ramp up to 50,000 tons per month for the rest of the year.

ISR?s concession is located in the border areas of East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan provinces. Based on the feasibility study, ISR?s coalmine in Pasir regency of East Kalimantan contains coal reserves of around 130 million tons with calorific value ranging from 5,325 - 7,126 kcal/kg.

Frans also said ISR targeted to produce around 1.2 million tons of coal in 2006.

He added that all ISR?s products will be sold to Japan. (dino)