PTBA mulls coal trading business

State coal-mining firm PT. Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (PTBA) said on Tuesday it was planning to expand to coal trading business, especially coal from Kalimantan.

?PTBA has received a lot of request from Japan, Taiwan and South Korean buyers to supply them with Kalimantan coal,? Corporate Secretary Milawarma. ?We think coal trading is quite a lucrative business,? he said.

He said PTBA is currently in preparation to enter coal-trading business, but did not say when the business would commence.

PTBA is reportedly scouting to buy several coalmines in East and South Kalimantan, but thus far, failed to purchase any. (godang)