Russia's second largest coking coal producer Raspadskaya has stated that in the fourth quarter of 2012 its coal output increased by 59 percent quarter on quarter to 2.2 million mt, rising by 38.5 percent year on year. In the full year 2012, the company's coal output amounted to 7 million mt, up 12 percent compared to the previous year.
During the fourth quarter, Raspadskaya's sales of coal concentrate increased by 41.6 percent year on year to 1.37 million mt, while its sales of run-of-mine coal remained unchanged at 151,000 mt. In 2012, coal concentrate sales increased by 17 percent to 4.35 million mt, while run-of-mine coal sales declined by 30 percent to 667,000 mt, year on year.
According to Raspadskaya's statement, in the fourth quarter production volumes increased due to the growth of sales volumes of semi-hard coking coal concentrate. The company's 2012 output constituted about 70 percent of the 2012 production plan. The main reason why the plan was not met was a sharp decline in demand for coal products in the second and third quarters.
Raspadskaya stated that the substantial growth of the sales volumes of coal concentrate was due to the recovery of domestic demand and increased export shipments.