Russia's Energy Ministry maintaining forecast for coal production in 2024; reduction in exports is possible

NOVOKUZNETSK. June 4 (Interfax) - The 2024 forecast for coal production in Russia remains at about 440 million tonnes, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Sergei Mochalnikov told reporters on Tuesday.

"In terms of production, I think we will maintain it, plus or minus. In terms of exports, we will most likely fall a little, but we will maintain production levels thanks to the domestic market," he said.

Mochalnikov said that the drop in exports in the first half of the year will be 6-8 million tonnes.

Based on the initial forecast, Russia planned to export 220 million tonnes of coal, he said. Russia exported "about 100 million tonnes," in the first half of the year, but there is no exact data from customs yet, he said.

Mochalnikov said earlier that Russia plans to maintain coal exports at 210-220 million tonnes in 2024, with production of 440 million tonnes.