PTBA Builds These Three New Facilities To Increase Coal Transport Capacity

The groundbreaking procession for the construction of a new coal handling facility owned by PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA). Photo: Doc. PTBA

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), a member of the MIND ID Group, has started the construction of a new coal handling facility to increase coal transportation capacity through the Tanjung Enim-Keramasan railway line.

President Director of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Arsal Ismail said that increasing transportation capacity is a strategic step to support the company's performance.

Arsal said, PTBA is one of the largest coal producers in Indonesia with a reserve of 3.02 billion tons and a resource of 5.85 billion tons.

"Improving transport capacity needs to be done to accelerate the monetization of coal reserves. This project supports the company's growth through increasing revenue from increasing coal sales volume," said Arsal in a written statement, Tuesday, January 2.

There are three new coal handling facilities that have been built. First, namely two Train Loading Stations (TLS) with a capacity of 3,000 tons per hour each along with a loop rail.

Then, two lines of Surveyor Systems along 13 kilometers (km) and 17 km, each with a capacity of 3,000 tons per hour. In addition, there are three dump trucks that can be used with a capacity of 60 tons and 100 tons.

The construction of these facilities is part of the collaboration between PTBA and PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI in the development of coal transportation related to Tanjung Enim-Keramasan.

The facilities and infrastructure for rail transportation modes are prepared by PT KAI, while the dock facilities in Keramasan are built by PT Kereta Api Logistik (Kalog).

The transportation of coal related to Tanjung Enim-Keramasan will increase PTBA's coal transportation capacity by up to 20 million tons per year.

"With this additional capacity, PTBA can further contribute to supporting national energy security," he said.

As a member of the MIND ID Group, PTBA's move also supports MIND ID's vision and target to become one of the Global Fortune 500 companies.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Director of MIND ID Dany Amrul Ichdan expressed his hope that the construction of this coal handling facility would not only advance the company but also bring benefits to the community.

Dany assessed that the progress of the corporate strategy must also provide benefits for sustainable community development.

"That this investment will become a milestone to develop a new port in the future. This development will become a legacy for the current government to continue the new government, create masterpieces for Indonesia and especially SOEs," he said.

Dany also advised that in the BUMN strategic project there must be an industry that participates in the framework of developing local wisdom that involves the community.

The groundbreaking procession for the new facility was carried out in Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra, on Saturday, December 30, 2023.