Indonesian coal producer PT Indika Energy (INDY.JK) may buy stakes in BHP Billiton Ltd.'s (BHP) Indonesian coal operations and in local coal company PT Berau Coal, and has interest in "several" other potential acquisitions in the coal sector, a company executive said Wednesday.

Indika Vice President-Director Wisnu Wardhana told Dow Jones Newswires that the company has submitted an expression of interest in BHP Billiton's Maruwai metallurgical coal project and aims to submit a bid for a stake. BHP Billiton plans to sell a 25% stake in Maruwai, which consists of seven coal mine sites in Central and East Kalimantan provinces, as early as the first quarter of next year.

He said Indika is still in the running to buy a stake in Berau Coal and aims to buy as much as 100% of the company. People with knowledge of the matter have previously said that financial services company PT Recapital Advisors has been selected as the preferred bidder for Berau Coal ahead of Indika and other bidders. A decision on the sale is expected this week.

-By Linda Silaen, Dow Jones Newswires; 62 21 3983 1277; Reuben.Carder@dowjones.com