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ajor coal miner PT Adaro Energy is upbeat about booking US$1 billion in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization this year as all of the coal to be produced this year had found buyers.

'For 2013, our estimated production of between 50 million and 53 million tons has been booked. We see the demand is strong although some said that economic growth, such as in China, is weakening,' finance director David Tendian said on Thursday.

According to David, Adaro's sales to India reached about 15 percent of total sales and about 7 percent to China. He cited that although China grew at around 7 percent last year, which was lower than previous years, the country's coal imports reached a record level of more than 240 million tons. India's import also stood at a record high of more than 140 million tons.

'Exports to China may increase to up to 8 percent of Adaro's total sales. Meanwhile, sales to India will be maintained at 15 percent,' David said, adding that the company predicted that pressure on coal sales would continue at least up to the fourth quarter.

Adaro's average selling price dropped by 18 percent in the first quarter of the year, contributing to 19.1 percent in revenue as sales volumes were relatively flat at 11.23 million tons during the January to March period of the year, compared to the same period last year.