JAKARTA – PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) reported its exploration activities for the fourth quarter (October-December 2024). The activities were carried out by PTBA’s internal team along with a third-party mining service contractor.

Corporate Secretary of PTBA, Niko Chandra, explained that the exploration was conducted in the Tanjung Enim area using coring, open hole, and geophysical logging methods. The activities, in collaboration with Sucofindo, cost Rp21.69 billion.

The exploration focused on the Air Laya and Banko Tengah B areas, resulting in 59 drill holes with a total of 11,204 meters of infill drilling in active mining areas. Additionally, further drilling expanded the exploration coverage with 54 drill holes extending 10,658 meters.

Coal and rock samples were collected, including 1,707 coal samples for quality analysis, 299 core samples for rock acidity testing, and 565 samples for rock mechanics testing.

Other activities included monitoring ToCBoC Front Mine in several locations such as Muara Tiga Besar, Air Laya, Banko Barat, Banko Tengah A, and Banko Tengah B.

Additional funds were allocated for database management, software licensing, and other operational activities.

In another area, PTBA’s subsidiary, PT Internasional Prima Coal (IPC), also conducted exploration activities through PT Prasetya Abdi Perkasa using coring and open hole methods. A total of 34 drill holes were made, covering 2,248 meters (579 meters of coring and 1,669 meters of open hole), with costs amounting to Rp2.4 billion.

Niko Chandra added that exploration in Tanjung Enim will continue in 2025. Meanwhile, in the IPC area, the focus will shift to updating geological models and preparing geotechnical review reports. (DK/ZH)