PT BUKIT Asam (Persero) Tbk is a major coal producer in Sumatra and despite volatile market conditions in 2013 is planning to increase its capital expenditure in 2014. A company representative told the Sumatra Miner Prelude that the company plans to increase coal production, provide further infrastructure to support its mines and boost power supply.

SOUTH Sumatra has enormous potential to help ease Indonesia’s power shortages now and into the future by using its vast low calorific value lignite resources for mine mouth power generation, according to coal producer PT Pendopo Energi Batubara (PEB), however government assistance at local and national level is needed.

PT Pendopo Energi Batubara (PEB) was established in 1995 and in 1997 entered the 3rd Generation Coal Contract of Work (CCoW) with the Government of Indonesia. The CCoW covers 17,840 hectares in Pendopo, Muara Enim, South Sumatra.

A ONE-DAY prelude event to the Sumatra Miner 2014 Conference and Exhibition was held in Palembang, South Sumatra, on November 19. The prelude attracted around 100 delegates and journalists along with a dozen speakers with positive feedback received by the organizers from all in attendance.