Russia's second largest coking coal producer Raspadskaya has stated that in the first quarter of the current year its sales of coal concentrate increased by 49 percent year on year to 1.4 million mt, while its sales of run-of-mine coal decreased by 38 percent to 85,000 mt due to a temporary suspension of raw coal extraction at Raspadskaya-Koksovaya mine in January and February this year.
During the first quarter, according to Raspadskaya's statement, while demand for coal products was weak in the domestic market, export sales volumes increased by 71 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. In the first quarter, the share of export sales was in line with Raspadskaya's sales strategy and amounted to about 35 percent.
In January-March, Raspadskaya's coal output increased by three percent compared to the previous quarter to 2.26 million mt, rising by 42 percent year on year. Production growth was due to increased production capacity, mainly at Raspadskaya mine and Raspadskiy open pit.