Mamahak records 70% increase of Sept output

By Ruli Setiawan

ASX-listed Kangaroo Resources Limited said that its 99%-owned Mamahak Coal Mine in East Kalimantan, delivered another record monthly production performance with 51,123 metric tons of coal during September, a 70 percent increase over the August production figure of 31,245 tons.

It said that the monthly production rate represents another important milestone for Kangaroo?s operating subsidiary, PT Mamahak Coal Mining (?MCM?). as operations at Mamahak continue to ramp up towards the targeted commercial production rate.

It also reflects a number of operational enhancements introduced by the contractor, PT Putra Perkasa Abadi (PPA), under a five-year mining contract signed last year with MCM.

Kangaroo?s Managing Director, Mr Mark O?Keeffe, said: ?This excellent September monthly production figure reflects the continued and sustained effort we have targeted since the mobilisation of the mining contractor PT PPA at Mamahak.?

?The current dry spell at site has been positive for our production performance for the month of September but on the other hand it has meant low water levels in the river for barging. With the coming wet season we expect to have improved barging performance however this is not without impact to production.?

?This is an exciting time at Mamahak as we see the project transition to consistent production rates and a ramp-up to targeted production volumes.? O?Keeffe said.

It said that at the end of September, 152,000 tons of coal had been stockpiled at Mamahak, with preliminary barging having commenced during September. A total of approximately 5,200 tons of coal was transported to Bayan Resources? Balikpapan Coal Terminal during the month.

Full-scale barging operations are expected to commence once draft river levels at the Mamahak port facility allow sustained barge traffic movement.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora