PT AGM Build Canal For Coal Transports In S Kalimantan

Jakarta, Oct 3 (Antara) - Coal mining company PT. Antang Gunung Meratus (AGM) has provided a canal for coal transport in the regency of Tapin in South Kalimantan. The canal will help prevent further damage to roads along the canal by heavy duty trucks carrying coal, Tapin regent Arifin Arfan said here on Friday. The 16 kilometer canal is a river called Sungai Muning or Sungai Mati (dead river) getting shallow and clogged with mud. The company dug and expanded the river to allow larger vessels to sail over it . Previously it had only a depth of 1.5 meters that could used by small vessels called "kelotok", the regent said. He said now it is 2-3 meter deep that coal vessels of 180 feet could sail in the river . "Local people also could use the river for cheap transport," he added. In addition, previously the area along the river were covered with swamp , but now it has been transformed into farm lands by PT AGM, the regent said. He said the presence of PT AGM has contributed to the welfare of the local people . PT. AGM jhas the license from the transport ministry and public works ministry to revitalize the river to facilitate coal transport. PT AGM is a subsidiary of PT. Baramulti Suksessarana , a publicly traded coal mining company holding the coal mining cooperation contract (PKP2B). South Kalimantan is known to have large coal reserves . There are many coal mining companies operating in that province . In a bid to prevent damage to roads by heavy duty trucks carrying coal , the provincial administration has issued a regulation on the use of public roads by trucks carrying minerals and plantations commodities.