Pesona Khatulistiwa to double coal production

Coal mining firm PT Pesona Khatulistiwa, a subsidiary of Energi Nusa Mandiri, plans to nearly double coal production to about 4.5 million tons next year from about 2.3 million tons this year to take advantage of the expected increase in coal prices in the world?s market, Kontan reported on Monday.

Jeffrey Mulyono, the president director of Energi Nusa Mandiri, said in Jakarta last week that he hoped that weather would not affect the company?s plan to achieve the production target next year.

With the increase in the production, the company expected to be able to take advantage of the recovery in coal prices which have begun to show upward trends lately.

Pesona Khatulistiwa which produces coal with calorie value of between 3,000 and 3,400 kcal exports all of its coal production to China and India. The company began its production in December 2009 and in 2010 reached production level of 700,000 tons. The company?s production rose to 1.35 million tons in 2011, and about 2.3 million tons this year.

Pesona Khatulistiwa which was acquired by Energi Nusa Mandiri from PT Bhakti Energi Persada operates coal concession covering 23,000 hectares in Tanjung Selor, Bulungan, East Kalimatan.(*)