Marunda GrahaMineral?s coal sales drops in Q2

Central Kalimantan-based coal mining firm PT Marunda GrahaMineral (MGM) said its coal sales had dropped to 114,608 tons of coal in the second quarter of 2005 from 299.001 tons in the previous quarter, due to climate problems.

In its quarterly report to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, MGM said that rains at the start of the period made it difficult for trucks to transport its coal to the jetty. In addition, the low water level in the dry season, which occurred in the end of the quarter, hampered barges from passing through the Barito river.

MGM produced 156,857 tons of coal in the second quarter of 2005 and has planned to boost the output to 404,000 in the third quarter.

During the second quarter, MGM exported its entire output to Italy, Japan, Taiwan, and France, through Pulau Laut-based coal terminal, operated by Indonesian Bulk Terminal (IBT). MGM's coal stock at the terminal reached 66,891 tons in the second quarter of the year.

MGM is the holder of the Second Generation Coal Contract of Work coverign an area in Murung Raya regency, Central Kalimantan. The company produced around 453,571 tons of coal last year. (Robert)