PT Berau and Japanese firm to develop bio-diesel fuel

Kalimantan-based coal mining firm PT Berau Coal will develop bio-diesel fuel in cooperation with Japanese company Sojitz Corporation as part of the coal producer?s diversification program, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Saturday.

The memorandum of understanding on the joint bio-energy project was signed in Jakarta on Friday by Tria Suprajeni, vice president of PT Berau Coal and Eiichiro Makinno, a senior executive of Sojitz? s energy and mineral resources division.

Berau?s corporate secretary Manahan Harianja said the under the MOU agreement, the two companies would develop bio-energy from Jatropha curcas beans under clean development mechanism.

?The feasibility study on the development of the bio-diesel fuel will carried in three years,? he said, adding that under the existing plant, Berau and the Japanese company would plant Jatropha curcas in the company?s former mining area.

The project is supported by a number of government agencies including the agency for the application of applicable technology BPPT, Lemigas and the ministry of energy and mineral resources. (*)