DUSHANBE, September 17, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Tajik coal mining enterprises have produced 520,000 of coal by September 16, which is equal to the 2013 level, according to the Ministry of Industry and New technologies (MoINT).

An official source at a MoINT says Tajikistan produced 518,000 tons of coal in 2013.

“Many industrial enterprises in Tajikistan have been shifted to coal, and therefore, coal production has been increased in the country,” the source said.

According to him, industrial enterprises use some 85 percent of the overall volume of coal produced in Tajikistan.  “For example, 125,600 tons of coal has been delivered to the Dushanbe-2 combines heat  and power (CHP) plant and 45,000 tons of coal has been delivered to the Tajik aluminum smelter over the past eight months of this year,” the source added. 

Tajikistan now produces from 4,000 to 7,000 tons of coal per day.

Current price for one ton of Tajik opencast coal is 165.00 somoni and current price for one ton of Tajik underground coal is 275.00 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-mining enterprise.  In January-May this year, it has produced 121,600 tons of coal.