South Bengkulu has 100 million tons coal reserves

The South Bengkulu regency in Bengkulu province is estimated to have some 100 million tons of coal reserves, according to regency executive secretary Bahrullah Abbas, citing a report of a recent mining survey conducted by the local mining office.

?The coal reserves is found in the Maje district, South Bengkulu regency,? Bahrullah told the evening Suara Pembaruan daily Tuesday.

He added that the coal has a quality for export, and that the local administration would provide incentives for investors willing to exploit the coal resources.

Meanwhile, the head of the Bengkulu provincial mining office Suratman could not confirm the above coal reserves estimate because he has yet to obtain the mining survey report from the South Bengkulu mining office.

?If it is true, South Bengkulu will be very rich,? he said.

Suratman said that coal reserves in Bengkulu province currently totaled 150 million tons, and around 75 percent is located in North Bengkulu with the remainder located in South Bengkulu and Rejang Lebong regencies.(*)