Jakarta, - Indonesian state-owned coal mining company Bukit Asam (PTBA) has started building train-loading stations for its Tanjung Enim mine in South Sumatra as part of long-term plans to boost output.

The coal producer plans to construct two loading stations, each with a capacity of 3,000 t/hour. The stations would be linked to two conveyor-system lines spanning 13km and 17km, respectively, it said. The conveyor system would be connected to three dump hoppers that can accommodate dump trucks with a capacity of between 60-100t.

The construction of the loading stations is part of the joint venture project between Bukit Asam and state-owned railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (Kai) to develop the Tanjung Enim-Kramasan railway line. Kai is building the Kramasan coal unloading station with a capacity of 60,000 t/d on the other end of the railway line.

PTBA plans to cut down on transportation time and increase its transportation capacity through the new train loading stations. The Tanjung Enim-Kramasan railway line is targeted to have a capacity of 20mn t/yr, with provisions to double it to 40mn t/yr if needed. The additional coal evacuation by the railway line would also help the company raise its output.

Indonesian power sector’s coal demand was expected to continue until there is enough new baseload capacity installed to offset the planned shutdown of coal plants over the next few decades, the coal producer added.

Sources : Djakarta Mining Club- Jan 12.24