OREANDA-NEWS. January 14, 2010. ОАО Raspadskaya (RTS, MICEX: RASP) (“Raspadskaya” or “the Company”), one of Russia’s leading coking coal producers, announces today its preliminary operating results for 4Q2009 and FY 2009.


In 4Q2009 and FY2009, sales volumes of coal concentrate increased by 10% compared to 3Q2009 and FY2008 respectively. This proves that the Company’s management achieved its previous production objectives. In 2010, Raspadskaya expects to increase its coal concentrate sales volumes by 10-15%.


In 4Q2009, the weighted average price of coal concentrate increased compared to 3Q2009, mainly due to the Russian sales, which amounted to 78% of total sales volumes. In 2009, the Company raised its export sales share to 28%. The sales share to the Asian market amounted to 38% of total export sales.


The Company has a positive view on the expected coal concentrate price dynamics in 2010, taking into account the expected closure of contracts between key international players in April 2010.


Gennady Kozovoy, Raspadskaya’s CEO, commented: “Currently, demand from the related sectors is recovering. It has guaranteed an increase in sales volumes and allowed the Company to start updating its mid-term production and financial parameters.


In 2010, we will continue to focus on keeping our status as a reliable coal concentrate supplier for the Russian customers and at the same time maintaining high export share to Ukraine and Asia, among other things by using our well-established relationship with Far Eastern ports“.