Coal mining in Russia's Far East reaches 10-year maximum due to external demand, but constrained by logistics problems in Siberia - CBR
KEMEROVO. July 16 (Interfax) - Coal mining in Siberia increased relative to the previous month in May 2026, while annual mining growth rates increased after six months of decline, according to the Central Bank of Russia's July report on the regional economy.
The positive dynamics of Siberian coal mining are the result of an increase in exports amid the Middle East conflict and the continued growth in demand and prices for energy resources. According to operational data, the growth of coal exports in May from Kuzbass, Russia's largest coal-mining region, accelerated to 19.9% year-on-year after 13.5% YoY in the previous two months. As a result, the figure for mining in the region in May increased in annual terms for the first time in six months, the CBR said.
Amid high global demand, the reduction in coal mining in certain Siberian regions is due to local logistics constraints and the restructuring of trade flows. "A large coal enterprise in the Republic of Buryatia reported a reduction in current export levels due to temporary problems with railcars. In order to fulfill the terms of existing contracts, the company was forced to use motor transport to deliver products to an alternative loading point on the railway. At the same time, in 2026, the same producer resumed exports after a long break to one of the Asian countries, which was the company's main export destination before the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions," the Central Bank said.
In the Far East, coal mining was at a ten-year maximum in April-May due to the growth in external demand caused by the situation in the Middle East. Companies also increased output to fulfill long-term contracts, including by modernizing capacities. Export prices for coal in Far Eastern ports rose from March and by mid-June reached a two-year maximum, as Asian countries more actively purchased coal due to the increase in prices for other energy resources. Prices fell slightly by the end of June, but remained a third higher than the levels of January-February and the average value for 2025. Oil production and exports in the macro-region in April-May remained at a high level, and capacity utilization was near maximum. Exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) continued to grow. One of the Asian countries increased its purchases at high spot prices, compensating for lost supplies from the Middle East. Due to limited capacities, LNG exports to other countries decreased.
In May, the cargo turnover of Far Eastern ports increased to the record level of November 2025 due to coal, grain, container cargo and petroleum products.
According to Rosstat, coal mining in Russia decreased 2.8% YoY in January-May 2026 to 178 million tonnes. Mining amounted to 37 million tonnes in May, up 6.5% YoY and 3.7% month-on-month.
