By Kamila Aliyeva

Kazakhstan exported 23.4 million tons of coal in January-October 2017, Kazinform reported.

This was stated by the Kazakh Energy Minister, Kanat Bozumbayev, during a press conference at the Central Communications Service.

“First of all, Kazakhstan’s coal is exported to Russia, Central Asia and several European countries. This year, a good amount of coal - more than 2.4 million tons - was exported to Finland. The export of coal to Japan was launched,” he said.

As for the coal supply situation in Kazakhstan, according to the minister, 61.8 million tons of coal was delivered to the domestic market within ten months.

Of the total volume, 74.4 percent, that is 45.9 million tons of coal, was shipped to power plants. As many as 9.6 million tons of coal were supplied to households and the population showing a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year.

“The price of coal for domestic needs is formed from the price of shipment of the cut - from 2,000 to 5,000 tenge, railway tariffs for transportation -- 1,000-1,500 tenge, the exchange value of coal, as well as the margins of intermediary organizations and individuals. The coal is shipped under direct contracts between electric stations and coal companies,” he added.

He noted that a headquarters was established for the case of extraordinary situations of coal shipment for domestic needs and the population.

Kazakhstan produced 98 million tons of coal in 2016. As much as 71.8 million tons of this volume was supplied to domestic market, 26.2 million tons sent to export. In 2017 Kazakhstan plans to produce 100 million tons.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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