KPC to boost Bengalon production capacity to 18MTPA

East Kalimantan top coal miner PT. Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) is planning to boost production from its new Bengalon mine to reach peak capacity of 18 million tons from 2007.

According to the document made available to Petromindo.Com, KPC revealed that production would be increased gradually from 1.25 million tons in 2004 to 6 MT in 2005 and 12MT in 2006. Peak production of 18 MTPA will be reached eginning 2007. Production in Bengalon would be coming from 3 pits, namely Pit A, B and C.

Bengalon mine has recoverable reserves of 169 MT and 438 T resources, with calorific value of around 5,800 Kcal/kg.

Earlier, an official of KPC parent company PT. Bumi Resources said mining operations at Bengalon is expected to commence in the third quarter of this year.

At first stage, 25-km hauling road from mining area to jetty port will be built and canal to serve 5,000-8,000 tonnes barges to be dredged. Coal will either be transshipped to an offshore point for export or barged to domestic market.

At the second stage, when production starts climbing to 6 MTPA, additional crushing, stacking, stockpile and reclaiming facilities will be built and coal will be loaded directly to the barges through reclaim conveyor.

At the final stage, when production reaches 12-18 MTPA an overland conveyor which transports coal directly to ship loader, which will be built to serve vessels of up to 220,000 DWT.(godang)