New investors in C. Kalimantan complains over infrastructure

A number of new coal investors in North Barito district in Central Kalimantan, have complained about the lack of transportation infrastructure in the area, according to a local official.

Jamaludin, an assistant to the development division at the North Barito administration, said in Muara Teweh on Friday that most investors were complaining about the lack of land transportation to transport their coal from their mining sites to the destination ports.

The only available infrastructure to transport coal from Central Kalimantan is the Barito River, which spans 900 kilometers, but when its water lessens and the river becomes shallow, it creates problems for businesses, especially coal miners.

Currently there are 16 mining companies operating in North Barito district. These companies are mostly operating based on the contract of works of third generation with the central government.

They operate in various sub-districts, including Gunung Purei, Lahei, Gunung Timang, East Teweh, Laung Tuhup dan Central Teweh where Muara Teweh is located.

The mining companies operating in North Barito include PT Marunda Grahamineral with a mining concession area of 72,120 hectares, PT GPH Mineral Company (99,940 Ha), PT Kalteng Coal (91,570 Ha), PT Manunggal Pintu Mas (2,008 Ha), PT Koda Jaya (14,740 Ha), PT Tamindo Bumi Lestari (19,570 Ha), PT Batubara Dua ribu Abadi (128,200 Ha), PT Barito Putra (3,176 Ha), PT Maruwei Coal and PT Sumber Barito Coal. All of these companies are in their exploration stage.

Meanwhile, there are also some mining companies in their very initial stage of preparation to explore minerals in North Barito. They include PT Asmin Barajan with a concession area of 10,990 hectares, PT Dhamar Tejokencono (131,300 Ha), PT Suprabari Mapanindo Mineral (97,420 Ha), PT Multi Tambang Jaya Utara (99,350 Ha) and dan PT Barindo Ekatama (98,910 Ha). (*)