PTBA in talks with Freeport for coal supply

State-controlled coal miner PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) has started talks with gold and copper giant PT Freeport Indonesia for the supply of coal to the latter?s power plants.

This was said by PTBA President Director Milawarma as quoted by a press release issued by the Ministry of Industry on Tuesday following a recent visit by a number of ministers including Minister of Industry Saleh Husin and top officials of state-owned firms to PT Freeport mine site in Timika, Papua.

?We have started talks with Freeport to meet the company?s energy requirement. There?s opportunity to supply coal for Freeport?s power plant,? Milawarma said, adding that the two firms are also looking into possibility of cooperation in the development of coal-fired power plant in Papua or in East Java, where Freeport plans to build a smelter.

The visit to PT Freeport?s operations was made as the government urged PT Freeport to increase the use of domestic products at its operations such as steel, cement, coal, and explosive materials.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak