MME plans to increase coal output to 2m tons next year

By Thomas Sembiring

PT Manambang Muara Enim (MME), which operates a coal concession in Muara Enim, South Sumatra, plans to bolster coal production to two million tons next year, compared to the 1.2 million tons target for this year.

?We hope that next year we can do two million tons? said Pierre Prunier, CEO of MME in a presentation at the recent 4th Annual Coal Buyers and Producers Meeting organized by Petromindo.com.

Prunier explained that his company actually has a capacity to produce up to six million tons per year, but the lengthy hauling road of around 280 km is still a major challenge.

As has been reported by this portal previously, MME is expected to produce around 1.2 million tons of coal this year. Company Director Agustinus Thamrin said that as per August of this year, output has reached 900,000 tons, in line with target. Last year, the company produced 1.05 million tons.

MME operates a 1,584-ha coal concession in Muara Enim, with estimated reserves of around 100 million tons. So far, the company has been producing from a single pit of 200-ha. MME sells its coal to the domestic market particularly power plants.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak