Backdown, PTBA Back Managed Block Kohong Telakon

President Director of PTBA Arsal Ismail. (YouTube Screenshot)

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) has again expressed interest in taking the majority stake in the management of the special mining business permit area (WIUPK) Blok Kohong Telakon.

PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail said his party had sent Letter No T/0292.J/0100/PU.01/XII/2022 to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasfrin on December 1, 2022.

The letter annulled a letter stating that the company was not interested in continuing the priority offer of Kohong Telakon Block, with number T/0246.J/0100/PU.01/X/2022 which was sent earlier on October 17, 2022.

"PT Bukit Asam continues to follow priority offers in Kohong Telakon Block in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," said Arsal at a Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Commission VII DPR RI, Tuesday, December 6.

Furthermore, at this time his party is still waiting for the letter that has been submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Arsal also conveyed PTBA's wish if later allowed to re-manage Kohong Telakon Block, his party wanted to control 51 percent.

"Of course PTBA wants the majority. We hope to be 51 percent. PTBA itself," added Arsal.

Previously, this mining area was controlled by PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup or PT AKT which was terminated by the Supreme Court.

The reason PTBA had withdrawn from the Kohong Telakon Block offer was because the potential for coal in the bidding document was not in accordance with the amount after a recount was carried out.

It is known, based on the calculation carried out by PTBA, the remaining potential for coal that can be managed from the Kohong Telakon Block is only 32 million tons or smaller than what was stated in the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources' bid letter on July 8, 2022, with reserves proven to be around 155.6 million tons.