The Russian mining and steel producing company Mechel has announced that, within the framework of the regular round of Sino-Russian energy negotiation meetings, it has signed a protocol of intent with China's second largest coal producer China National Coal Group.
The protocol was signed in order to establish a mutual strategic partnership between the companies.
China National Coal Group's core businesses include coal production and trading as well as coke and coal-chemical products, coal mining equipment manufacturing, power generation, coal mine construction, and relevant engineering technical services. China National Coal is the world's largest and leading underground coal mining equipment producer.
"Mechel has long-standing and stable partnership relations with Chinese consumers, successfully supplying coals of various grades, iron ore concentrate and ferroalloys. Strong relations are established with the main Chinese associations in the sphere of metallurgy and coke chemistry," reads Mechel's statement.
Since March 2010 an official Mechel representative office operates in Beijing.