Most Kalimantan major coal miners unaffected by rain

Most of major coal producers in Kalimantan said on Thursday that their mining operations were unaffected by rain that had hit the island over the past few weeks.

?Thus far rain had not affected KPC?s operations. We?re still operating normally,? said Nunik Maharani Maulana, KPC spokesperson. KPC produces around 50,000 tons of coal per day.

?Berau Coal?s operation is not affected by rain,? said corporate secretary Ratmono Ratmansunu.

?Banpu?s operation in its mines had been slightly affected by rain, but not at significant level. Everything is still under control and we are still producing on target,? said Leksono Poeranto, Banpu?s spokesperson. Banpu operates three coal minings in Kalimantan with combined output capacity of around 10 million tons per annum.

Meanwhile, an official from PT. Adaro Indonesia?s mining contractor PT. Pamapersada Nusantara said that mining operations in Adaro runs normal despite rain. Adaro produces around 60,000 tons of coal per day and is the country?s biggest coal producer.

The only major coal mining who said operation was affected by rain was South Kalimantan based PT. Arutmin Indonesia.

?Arutmin?s operation is affected by rain. Production is slowing down a little,? said Sonny Pangestu, Arutmin spokesperson. Sonny, however, did not give more detail, saying that he was still waiting for report from mining site. Arutmin produced around 10 million tons in 2002, and is planning to increase 2003 production to 18 million tons.

Around 90 percent of Indonesia?s coal production comes from Kalimantan. (alex/godang)