Ukraine’s coal output between January and September 2013 was 61.51 million t, down 4.2% from 64.23 million t in 2012, according to the country’s energy and coal industry ministry.
Thermal coal output decreased 3.4% to 43.97 million t, down from 45.54 million t a year ago. Coking coal output decreased 6.1% to 17.54 million t, down from 18.68 million t over the 2012 nine-month period.
In September, Ukraine produced 6.8 million t, up from 6.74 million t a year ago, but down from 6.86 million t in August, the ministry said.
September thermal coal output rose 0.4% to 4.88 million t and production of coking coal increased 2.4% to 1.91 million t.
Ukraine reduced coal extraction this year amid weak demand from domestic consumers.
In particular, the country's thermal power plants decreased coal consumption by 5.5% to 27.31 million t between January and September, down from 28.9 million t in 2012.
Ukraine produced 85.95 million t of coal in 2012, up 4.8% from 81.99 million t in 2011.
Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward