TIA to boost coal production in 2012

South Kalimantan coal miner PT. Tunas Inti Abadi (TIA), a coal unit of PT Reswara Minergi Hartama plans to increase its coal production to 4.5 million tonnes next year, almost double compared to this year?s target of 2.7 million tonnes.

Reswara owns 99.99% of TIA. Reswasa is wholly-owned by PT. ABM Investama (ABM), an investment holding company of Trakindo Utama with strategic investments in energy related areas.

Majority of TIA's coal is sold to Chinese and Indian buyers. The mining operation is handled by just one contractor despite the increased coal production, an official told petromindo.com. ?We will keep using our sister company, PT Cipta Kridatama as a sole contractor,? the official said.

Coal from TIA's mine is transported along 27 kilometers route to Reswara?s terminal seaport, owned and managed by PT Pelabuhan Buana Reja (PBR), which now is capable to handle coal throughput of around 400,000 tonnes per month, the official said.

PBR has completed the construction of its coal terminal in Sebambam Baru, Tanah Bumbu regency with installed capacity of 7 million tonnes per annum. The port can service 300ft barges for further transporting to Muara Satui anchorage point

TIA started coal production in August 2009. The mine is located in Sei Loban, Angsana, Tanah Bumbu regency, and produces coal with calorific value of 5600 ? 5800 kcal/kg (ADB). (denny)