PTBA targets 17.42 million tons purchased and produced coal in 2012

The state-owned coal miner PT Bukit Asam has stated to target its production and purchasing of coal to reach a total of 17.42 million tons this year, 26 percent higher than the total amount in 2011.

Company President Director Milawarma stated that the increase in capacity is partially supported by improvements in rail transport and the rising of coal demands. According to Milawarma, PTBA has raised its sales target for 2012 by 39 percent to 18.66 million tons, 12.19 million tons for sales in the domestic market and 6.46 million tons for export.

"PTBA is optimistic with the sales target, supported by the commitment of PT Kereta Api to transport 15.60 million tons of our coal this year. Around 12.90 million tons will be transported to Tarahan port in Bandar Lampung and 2.70 million tons to be transported to Kertapati port in Palembang," he said on Tuesday.

Through its cooperation with PT Kereta Api, PTBA expects to raise its rail transport capacity to 15.6 million tons in 2012, then go up to 18.5 million tons in 2013 and 22.7 million tons in 2014.

Another rail transport project, connecting Tanjung Enim and Lampung with the capacity of 25 million tons per year, the processes of acquiring railway and seaport environmental impact analysis have been conducted up until the end of 2011. "We still have to deal with land acquisition process, the designing of the blueprint, licencing and funding from lenders," he said.

Editing by Er Audy Zandri