Lower water level disrupts coal shipment in Barito river

The decline in the water level in the Barito River has begun to disrupt coal shipment from a number of coal mining companies in Central Kalimantan to Java, Antara news agency reported on Monday.

The lack of rains during the current dry season has caused the decline in the water level of the river?s sections passing the province?s several regencies including North Barito and Murung Raya.

?Barges and tugs could not be operated because the water level is still too low for them,? said Musa, a worker of a coal miner. He said that the water level had dropped to 3.3 meters from 5 meters in normal days due to the lack of rains.

With the fall in the water level to less than 5 meters, the shipment in the Barito is considered no longer safe.

A number of coal miners including PT Marunda Graha Mineral and PT Victor Dua Tiga Mega have been unable to transport their coal to buyers due to the situation. (*)