South Kalimantan?s poorest district to see first coal production

Teweh Timur, which is the poorest district in North Barito Regency, South Kalimantan, will see its first coal production next year, according to local daily Kapos.

The coal production will be made by PT Bharinto Ekatama, which was awarded with the third generation coal contract of work (COW) by the government in November 1997, the paper said.

Company coordinating geologist M Hari Arityanto said the company would make its first coal production in Benangin village of the district, where it controls a 15,000 hectare area. First production will be made on a 500-hectare area with total output of 17.4 million tons for ten years.

?Survey results show Teweh Timur has high quality coal with calorie content of between 6,500 and 7,500 kilo calorie,? Hari said in Teweh Timur Friday following a meeting with local people as part of its information campaign about the coal project.

Aside from Teweh Timur, the company has also a 6,600 hectare concession in Besi village, Damai district, Kutai, East Kalimantan.

During meeting with local people, the company?s executives explained that the company would build roads to support its operation and several infrastructure, including bridges and clean water facilities, to help develop the economy of the local people.

The paper said the villagers welcome the company?s planned production.

During the meeting, Indjan Sanda, a tribal leader of the area, called on the company to treat the local people as their ?brothers and sisters?. (*)