KPC sees 2002-coal production at 16 million tons

Giant coal mining PT Kaltim Prima Coal will increase coal production to 16 million tons in 2002 despite world economic slowdown, according to the company?s executive.

?In the absence of significant production disturbance, KPC would have no trouble to reach, or even to exceed 16 million tons production next year,? KPC spokesperson Bambang Susanto told Petromindo.com Monday.

Bambang said that production target for 2001 was 15 million tons.

The company had been repeatedly hit by labor strikes, which significantly affected output.

The company?s January-October cumulative production stood at 12.8 million tons. The company?s October production was affected by heavy rainfall, which is continuing in November.

KPC, the country?s second largest coal producer operates a coalmine in East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan.

KPC is qually owned by Anglo-American energy giant BP Plc and Anglo-Australian Rio Tinto Plc. (godang)