PCN reports higher coal output

By Cepi Setiadi

Coal mining firm PT Prolindo Cipta Nusantara (PCN), a member of Lestari Cipta Persada (LCP) Group, said that coal production from its concession in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, last year reached 3.1 million tons, a 24 percent increase compared to 2.5 million tons in the previous year.

Lestari Cipta Persada President Director, Henry Soetio told Petromindo.com recently that most of the coal output, about 90 percent, were exported. ?70 percent (exported) to India and 30 percent to China,? he said, adding that the company has long term contract with buyers from India and China up to next year. ?But step by step we will reduce our export as the local market has seen better price,? he said.

Henry revealed that gradually coal production from PCN will be diverted to the local market, which is targeted to account for up to about half of total production in the future to support power plant projects in the country.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak