PTBA will start Pranap Riau low-rank coal production in 2012

Indonesia-listed coal miner PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (PTBA) will start production at its Pranap low-rank coal mine in Riau province in 2012. Around 250,000-300,000 tons of coal will be produced in the first year. 

PTBA’s president director Sukrisno told Petromindo.Com on November 11 that the firm will initially focus exploitation activities on around 320 hectares of land. PTBA will increase Pranap low-rank production to 2-3 million tons in 2013, he said.

Production from the mine will further increase if the feasibility study (FS) to develop coal gasification within Pranap mine proves feasible. The FS is expected to be completed next month, he said. PTBA is in cooperation with German firm Lurgi GmbH to develop its huge low-rank coal deposit into methanol.

According to Sukrisno, once the coal gasification starts production, PTBA will need around 6.5 million tons per annum of low-rank coal to produce around 1.7 million metric tons of methanol.

Pertamina will act as off taker, he added.

Pranap has 790 million tons and 370 tons of resource and mineable reserves, respectively with coverage area of 17,100 hectares. 

Source : Asia Coal Magazine