DUSHANBE, November 21, 2014, Asia-Plus — Over the first ten months of this year, Tajikistan has produced nearly 692,000 tons of coal, which is 256,000 tons or 60 percent more than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT).
In the meantime, Tajik miners produced only 97,000 tons of coal last month, which is nearly 40,000 tons fewer than in September, an official source at MEDT said.
In September, Tajik miners reportedly produced 137,000 tons of coal.
Coal production has increased due to a shift of the country’s industrial enterprises from the more expensive natural gas and electricity to the more economical fuel—coal—for heating and other needs. Currently, more than 160 enterprises in Tajikistan use coal as a fuel.
Current price for one ton for Tajik opencast coal fluctuates from 80 to 200 somoni while current price for one ton of Tajik underground coal is 450 somoni.
Eighteen coal-producing enterprises now operate at fourteen coal deposits in Tajikistan. In 2013, they produced 518,000 tons of coal, which was 25 percent more than in 2012. Coal sales increased from 424,000 tons in 2012 to 482,000 tons in 2013. Fon-Yaghnob Mine is Tajikistan’s largest coal-producing enterprise.
