KPC exports 15m tons of coal

KPC exports 15m tons of coal

JAKARTA (JP): East Kalimantan-based coal mining company PT
Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) exported 15 million tons of coal last
year, an increase of 25 percent from 12 million tons in 1996.

Company spokesman Usman Fatwa said Wednesday KPC also
projected to export 15 million tons of coal in 1998.

He said the company exported 30 percent of its 1997 output to
Japan, while selling Taiwan 27 percent of its output, Hong Kong
14 percent, the Netherlands 9 percent, the United States 7
percent, Germany 6 percent and Malaysia 3 percent.

He said KPC sold the remaining 4 percent in the domestic
market.

"We will boost our export activities despite fluctuating coal
prices in the global market," Usman was quoted by Antara as
saying yesterday.

He said coal prices were currently between US$33 and $37 per
ton from about $44 per ton early last year.

Usman said KPC had eight open pit mines with 590 million tons
of coal reserves. (aly)