PCN books 1.5m-ton sales in H1

By Cepi Setiadi

Coal mining company PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN) sold around 1.5 million tons in the first half of the year amid the lingering market downturn.

Marketing Director Andi Ananda Manggabarani, told Petromindo.com on Monday that the amount was less than the target of about 1.8 million to 2 million tons.

?Even though the target was not achieved, we consider this is a good achievement in view of the weak market. We can still maintain our operation and cashflow,? he said, pointing out that many coal mining companies around its concession in Tanah Bumbu regency, South Kalimantan have stopped operating.

?Thanks God, PCN could still maintain normal operation even though the monthly production target was cut from 310,000 tons to around 210,000 tons due to the rainy season,? he said adding that currently the company is focusing on efficiency program such as equipment maintenance rather than output volume.

Andi explained that the PCN?s coal was mostly sent to India. ?However starting in April 2015, India were reducing their demand due to the monsoon season. We thus decided to divert the sale to China and, domestically, to PT PLN Batubara,? he said

Editing by Johannes Simbolon