PLN scouts for coal miners to secure supply

State electricity firm PLN is scouting for coal miners which will be made as joint operation (JO) partners in a bid to secure coal supply for its proposed 10,000-MW poera plant projects.

Deputy Director Tonny Agus Mulyantono told reporters on Wednesday that PLN would conduct beauty contest to screen suitable partners. ?We?ll be conducting due diligence to review the candidates? reserves, production capacity, quality and location,? he said.

Tonny said a number of coal miners had been proposing to PLN, but decline to give names.

CEO Eddie Widiono said that PLN would embark on JO scheme to prevent future failure to secure coal supply for the mega project. PLN would need 40 million tonnes of coal per annum in 2009 when some on the power plants would come onstream.

An industry source who is involved in formulating PLN's plan said assistance including coal absorbsion guarantee by PLN, financial and technical assistance.(godang)