PTBA eyeing joint ops with Kalimantan, Sumatra miners

State coal miner PT.Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam said it was in the process on establishing joint operations to exploit several coal mines in Kalimantan and Sumatra.

?PTBA is currently in talks with several coal concession owners to establish joint operations that might boost PTBA?s sales,? Head of Investor Relations Nurtimah Tobing told Petromindo.com on Wednesday, March 12, 2008

She did not give detail about the prospective joint operations partners, but said that some of the mines are already in production and some are still at exploration stage.

Tobing said PTBA opted for joint operations scheme after thus far it has yet manage to acquire coal mines that fulfilled its criteria. She, however, said that PTBA would keep looking for acquisition target. (denny)