He added that by 2025 the coal company will have a sales volume of 98 million tons and be operating several power plants with a total capacity of 4,200 MW.
"Our production this year increased by approximately ten percent, compared with that in 2015. It increased from about 19 million tons to around 21 million tons," he said.
Arviyan noted that the companys operation depends heavily on trains for transportation.
"Production is not a problem since we work 24/7. We are now facing a transportation issue," he said.
Among coal mining companies established in Indonesia, PT Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk is the oldest, starting during The Dutch Colonial era in 1919 with the first operations in Tambang Laya area, Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra.
Coal mining in Tanjung Enim was begun by the Dutch colonial government in 1919, then operating the first coal mine using open pit mining methods in Air Laya.
The initial operation began in 1923 and continued until 1940, while commercial production began in 1938.
When the Dutch Colonial period ended in Indonesia, mine workers fought for the nationalization of the mines. In 1950, the Indonesian Government approved the establishment of State-Owned Bukit Asam Coal Mine.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
