OREANDA-NEWS. March 2, 2010. In 2009 Bogatyr Coal, a joint venture of Samruk Kazyna Kazakhstani National Welfare Fund and RUSAL Russian company sold its customers as much 34.8 million tons of coal including 20.85 million tons sold the power enterprises of Kazakhstan and 13,95 million tons sold the power enterprises of Russia. It is by 11.4 million tons lower than the results of 2008 totally.

Especially the first half year of 2009 was difficult. Both Kazakhstan and Russian customers had reduced volume of power fuel purchase. For instance, at the beginning of 2009 the Ekibastuz GRES -1 worked on coal, reserved at previous year and later it had redirected to increment of own Maikuben coal consumption. Another large object – the Ekibastuz GRES-2 also reduced volume of “Bogatyr” coal purchase having reduced power generation.

Last year Russian companies kept on a policy of partial substitution of “Bogatyr” coal by Kuzbass one once again. That was why Bogatyr Coal lost 640 thousand tons of coal at Russian market only during the period from September to June. Moreover, the Reftinskaya GRES reduced volume of coal consumption significantly because of large repair work, which had been continued for almost half year. Volume of production shipped out at the first half year amounted to 14.4 million tons in total.

At the same time the management of Bogatyr Coal worked out measures directed to stabilization of situation, growing of coal mining and sale volume, having enlisted the support of Pavlodar Oblast Akimat. All of that have allowed to increase volume of coal supply at the second half year by 1.5 times, i.e. up to 20.4 million tons in comparison with the first one.

Last year there was a negative factor as nonpayment for supplied product once again. Debt of power stations of Kazakhstan and Russia for consumed product before Bogatyr Coal had been increased significantly while the company fulfilled its obligations before the customers well, having shipped coal in time.

In 2010 Bogatyr Coal is planning to mine and sell the coal volume not less than one achieved last year.