Jorong Barutama sees pits repairs to take 3 months

South Kalimantan-based coal miner PT Jorong Barutama Greston (JBG) estimated its coal output will decline by 50 percent this month from the normal output level of around 300,000 tons due the collapse of two mining pits at its coal mine.

?We are currently producing coal from other three (out of five) mining pits. The output from the three pits only reach 20-30% from its normal level,? JBG Corporate Communications Manager Inasanti Susanto told Petromindo.Com on Tuesday.

Two of five JBG?s mining pits were damaged by flooding that hit the mine last month causing further damage to the mine?s roads and bridges. These situations have forced JBG to declare force majure to its customer until mid July.

Inasanti said JBG was currently pumping out the water from the pits. Meanwhile, reconstruction for the two mining pits is expected to be completed in three months.

JBG, which is a subsidiary of Thailand?s energy company Banpu plc, produced 3.08 million tons of coal last year. (denny)