Kuzbass coal production declined in the first quarter of 2026 amid ongoing industry challenges.
Under the Ministry of Coal Industry of Kuzbass, in January-March 2026, coal mining enterprises in Kuzbass produced 46.6 mio t (-3.8 mio t or -7.5% vs. Jan-Mar 2025).
Export supplies from Kuzbass in January-March 2026 totaled 25.6 mio t (-1.7 mio t or -6.2% vs. Jan-Mar 2025).
The fall in global prices, coupled with a rise in production costs and logistics expenses, resulted in increased losses. The number of loss-making companies in Russian coal industry reached 74%. The operations of 17 enterprises have been suspended for economic reasons, and 8 of them will not resume production.
The crisis in the coal industry, on the back of sanctions, high railway tariffs, rising costs and logistical constraints, will further adversely affect the production and supplies of high-quality Russian coal to the global market in 2026.
Source: CCA
