Banpu sees sales rising 41 percent to B24 billion.

Byline: Busrin Treerapongpichit

Feb. 26--Banpu Plc, the country's largest coal producer, projects its coal sales to reach 24 billion baht this year, up 41 percent from 17 billion baht recorded last year, on rising coal prices and output, according to chief executive Chanin Vongkusolkij.

He said the company expected a slightly higher gross margin this year, driven by the rising prices of its high-grade coal from the Indominco mine in Indonesia.

"This year Indominco's production cost has increased by $2 per tonne, in line with the increase in the stripping ratio for the mine operation, but the sale price has risen by $6-7 per tonne based on the higher …