Bukit Asam: "Very Interested" In Buying BHP's Indonesia Assets
August 28 2009 - 4:57AM
Dow Jones News
Indonesian state-owned coal company PT Tambang Batubara Bukit
Asam (PTBA.JK) may move to acquire BHP Billiton PLC's (BHP.LN)
local assets after the Anglo-Australian company said it may pull
out of Indonesia, Sukrisno, Bukit Asam's president director, told
reporters Friday.
"We are very interested in acquiring several mining concessions
owned by BHP Billiton," Sukrisno said, adding any such deal could
come before the end of this year.
BHP Billiton earlier this year cancelled a planned $100 million
investment in the Haju trial mine, one of seven mines at its
Maruwai coal project in the Indonesian provinces of Central and
East Kalimantan.
BHP Billiton has said it is considering withdrawing from
Indonesia completely, according to local media reports.
-By Linda Silaen, Dow Jones Newswires; 62 21 3983 1277;
Reuben.Carder@dowjones.com