PT Bumi Resources (BUMI.JK), Indonesia's largest thermal coal producer by output, Thursday said it has submitted an expression of interest in BHP Billiton's (BHP) Maruwai coal development in Indonesia.

"The Maruwai coking coal asset is interesting and Bumi has expressed specific interest in it," Bumi Resources spokesman Dileep Srivastawa said in a text message.

BHP Billiton has said it aims to sell a 25% stake in Maruwai as early as the first quarter of next year.

Maruwai consists of seven metallurgical coal deposits in Central and East Kalimantan provinces.

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