PTBA H1 production slightly down

State coal mining company PT. Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam produced 4,85 million tonnes of coal during the first half of 2002, lower than last year?s corresponding period production of 5 million tons, according to the data released by ministry of energy and mineral resources.

Until state railway company PT. KAI make improvements in coal transpiration system, PT.BA would not be able to significantly increase its production, said an industry analyst contacted by Petromindo.Com. Last year PTBA produced 10.2 million tones of coal, more than half of which, were supplied to Suralaya Power plant in Banten province.

PTBA is dependent on railway transportation as most of coal production from its Tanjung Enim in South Sumatra is transported to Tarahan port in Lampung by train. Significant investment was needed ny KAI to upgrade the railway.

Earlier, PTBA?s president Ismet Harnaini said the company was targeting to produce 115 million tons of coal next year.

PTBA plans to go public in November this year. (alex)