KPC, striking workers to resume negotiation Tuesday

East Kalimantan coal miner PT. Kaltim Prima Coal said that talks with striking workers that had put KPC on production stoppage since Friday would be resumed on Tuesday, a company official said Monday.

KPC spokesperson Nunik Maharani Maulana was hopeful that the management and representatives of striking workers could come into agreement and resume production immediately.

Thousand of workers are reportedly continuing their strike to the fourth day; demanding that Rio Tinto and BP Plc., KPC's current shareholders to pay compensation to workers after the companies planned to sell their entire shares in KPC to JSX-listed Bumi Resources.

Nunik said the strike not only stop KPC?s production, but also halted loading activity at KPC?s port. ?Despite having adequate stockpile, loading activities are halted. Right now there are four coal vessels waiting for loading at the port,? she said.

Nunik, however, did not say when the company would declare force majeur to KPC buyers.KPC sells more its production almost entirely to export market, with Japan as main buyer. (alex)