PT Bukit Asam Tbk. (PTBA) is focusing on expanding its coal transportation capacity as part of its strategic plan for the next five years.

Setiadi Wicaksono, SVP Management Office at PTBA, stated that this effort aims to accelerate the monetization of the company's coal reserves. According to company data, PTBA's coal reserves amount to 2.98 billion tons, with a resource base of 5.81 billion tons.

"As part of our efforts to accelerate coal monetization, we are focusing on the development of the Tanjung Enim to Keramasan project," Setiadi said during Pubex Live 2024 on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

Setiadi explained that the project is the result of a synergy between PTBA and PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI. The partnership, formalized on October 12, 2023, focuses on developing the coal transportation route between Tanjung Enim Baru and Keramasan.

This project is expected to increase PTBA's coal transportation capacity by up to 20 million tons per year. The groundbreaking for the coal handling facility was held on December 30, 2023.

"With this pipeline, we can add to the existing capacity, which currently stands at around 32 to 33 million tons per year, supporting the growth of both TE Tarahan and TE Kertapati," Setiadi added.

For 2024, the company has set a coal production target of 41.3 million tons, accompanied by sales targets of 43.1 million tons and transportation targets of 33.7 million tons.

To achieve these targets, PTBA has also entered into a partnership with PT Swarnadwipa Dermaga Jaya (SDJ), a subsidiary of PT Titan Infra Energy Group, which operates in the coal loading port services sector.

Through this partnership, SDJ will provide logistics services for transporting coal from the Sungai Musi Loading Port to the mother vessel at Tanjung Kampeh Port. The coal transportation volume is targeted to reach approximately 2.5 million tons in 2024.