Russia is expected to export more than 200 million metric tons (mt) of coal in 2018, according to Xinhua. At a fuel and energy commission held in Kemerovo Region, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said, “Russia is expected to produce over 420 million mt of coal in 2018, surpassing the maximum level of former Soviet times reached in 1988.”
He added, “The export of coal from Russia, according to our estimates, is expected to exceed 200 million mt — about 100 million mt in the west and about 100 million mt in the east. Russia’s total share in the global coal market has increased more than 3.5 times over the past 20 years and now amounts to 14%.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the meeting that Russia will further expand its presence in the world coal market. He noted that Russian companies exported more than 190 million mt of coal last year, ranking the third in the world.
“The current situation provides an opportunity to expand Russia’s presence in the global coal market, strengthen its positions and increase our share,” Putin said.
