Jambi has coal reserves of about 400 million tons

Jambi province also has estimated coal deposits of about 400 million tons mostly found in the province's Muara Bungo regency, the province?s official said.

Rahman Poetra, the head of the province's mining office said Thursday that as many as 57 companies had been licensed to develop coal mines in the province.

According to Rahman, 38 of the companies were still conducting exploration activities, while the other 11 companies had entered production stage.

"But only four companies have actively been involved in production activities mostly in Muara Bungo. The companies, with production level about 40,000 tons a month, the supply of coal to PT Semen Padang in West Sumatra," he said

Meanwhile, average coal output from the province only about 1 million ton per year, he added.

Based to the office's data, the coal deposits found in Jambi are mostly of low grade with calorie content of between 4,000 and 5,600 Kcal/kg, and with moisture content of between 25 percent and 40 percent. (*)