Ukraine coal production halves in November

Ukraine’s coal supplies continue to run dangerously low, as the Ukrainian media announces coal production for November is down almost 50% compared to the same time one year ago.

Coal production fell from 7.3 million t to 4.1 million t, amid an ongoing conflict with separatist factions in the country’s industrial and coal-rich eastern regions.

Self-declared people’s republics have said they would be willing to sell coal to Kiev, yet Ukrainian government officials say they are unwilling to negotiate deals and payment for coals they argue is theirs by sovereign right.

Ukraine’s national energy company, Ukrenergo, imposed rolling blackouts from the start of December in an effort to curb electricity and power use, and thus conserve stockpiles of coal.

Ukraine is currently considering buying coal from Vietnam and Australia, yet its government has ruled out buying coal from the US, due to its high price. 

Edited from various sources by Sam Dodson

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/10122014/ukrainian-coal-production-falls-significantly-1667/