OREANDA-NEWS.  August 25, 2014. Kuzbasskaya Toplivnaya Company OJSC (KTK, MICEX: KBTK), one of the largest producers and exporters of thermal coal in Russia, is pleased to announce operational results for the 2 quarter and 6 months 2014.

In Q2 2014, the Company has produced 2.48 mln tonnes of coal, which is 1% lower than the previously published production plan. Coal production increased by 7% Q-o-Q and decreased by 1% Y-o-Y. The volume of commercial products increased by 9% to 2.20 mln tonnes. Compared with the level of same period of 2013, the volume of the Company's commercial products is 12% lower. Coal processing amounted 2.07 mln tonnes, which is 21% higher than in Q1 2014. That is 3% lower than in Q2 2013.

The share of processed coal in the commercial products amounted to 94%. The total coal washing in the Q2 2014 increased by 10% to 0.80 mln tonnes of which 68% relates to the washing plant Kaskad 2. The volume of coal sorting increased by 30% compared to the Q1 2014 and amounted to 1.27 mln tonnes.

The volume of stripping in Q2 2014 amounted 15.36 mln cbm and increased by 1% Q-o-Q. The volume of blasted rock mass was 8.88 mln cbm, an increase for the quarter by 1%. The share of blasted rock in the stripping was 58%. Average stripping transportation distance in the Q2 2014 increased by 8% to 2.80 km. The average stripping ratio in Q2 2014 decreased by 5% and reached 6.20 which is 3% above the expectations of management.

In Q2 2014 sales decreased by 11% versus the volume of Q1 2014, reaching 1.89 mln tonnes of coal. Year-on-year, this figure shows a decrease by 13%. In Q2 export sales increased by 10% to 1.61 mln tonnes. For the quarter, the share of export in total sales was 85%. Exports decreased by 7% Y-o-Y because of warm winter in Poland which is a key market foe KTK in Eastern Europe. At the moment significant amounts of coal are stored at the storages in Poland to supply local coal re-sellers during upcoming heating season. Coal sales in the domestic market decreased by 56% due to seasonality and reached 0.28 mln tonnes. The volume of coal purchased for resale decreased by 73% to 0.04 mln tonnes. Company prepared sufficient coal stockpile for retail sales during the heating season in Russia.

In Q2 2014, the average selling price of coal has decreased by 22% compared to Q1 2014 figure, amounting to RUB 894 per tonne. Compared to Q2 2013, the average price decreased by 13%. More information about average selling prices available to investors and analysts on request.

For the 6 months 2014 the Company has produced 4.80 mln tonnes of coal, which is 2% lower Y-o-Y. Vinogradovsky open-pit mine produced 1.70 mln tonnes of coal, and added 7% of production Y-o-Y. Coal processing amounted 3.78 mln tonnes, which is 3% lower than in 1H 2013. The share of processed coal in the commercial products amounted to 79%. The total coal washing in the 1H 2014 increased by 43% to 1.53 mln tonnes. The volume of coal sorting decreased by 21% Y-o-Y and amounted to 2.25 mln tonnes. During the first half of 2014 volume of stripping increased by 3% Y-o-Y and amounted 15.14 mln cbm. The volume of blasted rock mass was 17.66 mln cbm, an increase by 36% Y-o-Y. Average stripping transportation distance in the 1H 2014 increased by 4% to 2.70 km. The average stripping ratio in 1H 2014 increased by 7% Y-o-Y and reached 6.40.

In the 1H 2014 sales decreased by 12% versus the volume of 1H 2013, reaching 4.01 mln tonnes of coal, which corresponds with 77% of total sales. Coal sales in the domestic market decreased by 34% Y-o-Y due to 0.93 mln tonnes. The volume of coal purchased for resale decreased by 53% to 0.19 mln tonnes to support sales of own coal. For the 6 months 2014, the average selling was RUB 1,027 per tonne, flat Y-o-Y. Main diver for decrease of average selling prices were sales in Asia-Pacific region.

Despite prices decrease by 2% in Q1 2014 and by 22% in Q2 2014, average selling price for 6 months 2014 in flat Y-o-Y. Key coal indexes are decreasing since the beginning of the year: (13%) for API2 CIF ARA and (16%) for API6 FOB Newcastle.

On August 27, 2014 the Company plans to release its unaudited IFRS financial statements for the 6 months 2014. A conference-call to discuss the financial results and to ask the questions will be held the same day at17:00 PM Moscow time (UTC +4:00).

Conference call details and the presentation will be published separately in investor calendar on the Company’s website: www.oaoktk.ru/en/investors