Mechel, one of the leading Russian mining and steelmaking companies, has announced that mining has resumed at Sibirginsk mine owned by Southern Kuzbass Coal Company, a subsidiary of Mechel Mining.
Works were halted at the mine in June 2011, due to a heightened level of fire gases detected in the mined-out area of the long wall 3-1-9, indicating self-heating of coal. Mineable reserves of coal at the long wall face are estimated at 1.5 million mt.
According to Mechel's statement resuming operations will "increase production and sales of coking coal, which should have positive impact on this year's results for the whole of the company's mining division".