Mine fire will not affect power

JAKARTA (JP): A fire which hit a coal terminal in Tarahan, Lampung Sunday, would not affect the Suralaya coal-fired power station in West Java, an official said yesterday.

The president director of the state-owned coal mine PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam, RA Sunardi, said the fire burned the terminal's conveyor belt for about one hour on Sunday morning, causing a problem in the transportation of the coal to the ships.

The Tarahan terminal sends the coal to the Suralaya power station, which is the main supplier of power across Java and Bali.

Despite the fire, Sunardi said, the Suralaya power station could still operate normally because it had enough coal for 60 days.

"The public need not worry that the fire would cause such things as a power blackout," he said.

He said police were still investigating the fire. (jsk)