Lanna reports higher coal sales revenue in 2006

Thai coal miner Lanna Resources PLC said its coal sales increased by 28.94 percent to 4,508.35 million baht (1US$=33.8 Baht) 2006 from 1,011.8 million baht in 2005.

?Although the average sale price of coal was reduced compared to 2005 price by 8.53 percent in line with the lower world market price of coal, it was able to sell higher volume of coal by 40.96 percent,? Lanna said in it annual report relased on Thursday.

Lanna, however, did not disclose the figures of its coal production and sales in the report.

Lanna holds a 55 percent stake each in three East Kalimantan-based coal miners, which are PT Lanna Harita Indonesia (LHI), PT Citra Harita Mineral (CHM) and PT Singlurus Pratama (SGP).

According to Lanna?s 2005 annual report, LHI and CHM produced 1.89 million tons and 0.33 million tons of coal, respectively. Meanwhile, coal production at SGP is scheduled to start in 2007.

Lanna expects to set up an additional coal center, called Ratchaburi Coal Center, to anticipate future expansion of coal market. Lanna already has Ayutthaya Coal Center to keep inventory of imported coals.

The company used to have mining operations in Thailand but it ended the operations in 2005. (denny)