West Sumatra's mineral exports reach 132,550 tons

West Sumatera province exported about 132,550 tons of mineral commodities mostly coal in the first quarter of this year, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Friday.

Busharmaidi, a senior official at the province's trade office, said in Padang on Thursday that there was a sharp increase in the mineral exports during the first quarter of this year, indicating a positive sign of recovery in the province's mining sector.

"The mineral exports during the same period of 2004 recorded no increase at all," he said. But he did not disclose the percentage of the increase for this years' first quarter.

In 2004, West Sumatra exported about 241,518 tons of coal, 9,000 tons of granites and 10,000 tons of obsidian. (*)