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Coal in Russia Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_Russia

Neryungrinsky coal mine (WR)

Coal supplied about 16% of energy in Russia in 2024.[1] The prominence of coal power in Russia has been declining since 1990, although Russia has among the largest coal reserves in the world.[2] Russia is the fifth largest consumer of coal in the world and is the sixth largest producer of coal.[3] It is also the world's third largest coal exporter, vying with Australia and Indonesia for markets.[4] It causes pollution in Russia and climate change.[5]

Coal production

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The major areas of coal production are the Moscow, Pechora, Kuznetsk, Kansk-Achinsk, Irkutsk and South Yakutsk basins.[6] Over two-thirds of coal produced in Russia is used domestically.[7]

Year Coal Production
(Million tons)
1988 425
1990 395
1995 263
1998 232
2000 258
2003 277
2004 284
2005 300
2006 309
2008 329
2009 323
2010 323
2011 338
2012 355
2013 352
2014 359
2015 374
2016 386
2017 411
2018 439
2019 441
2020 402
2021 438.4
2022 443.6
2023 438
2024 427
Sources:[7][8][2][9][10][11][12][13][14]

Coal consumption

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Share of electricity production by source

Russia is self-sufficient in coal and consumed approximately 258 million tons in 2023. In 2024, coal consumption declined significantly to about 178 million tons, reflecting reduced industrial demand and a continued shift toward alternative energy sources. The percentage of coal in Russian electricity generation has been steadily decreasing since 1990, when it accounted for 20.7% of the mix, largely due to the rising use of natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric power. In 2023, coal contributed about 17% of electricity generation, down from 18% in 2022.[15] In 2024, this share further declined to an estimated 15%. Russia’s installed coal-fired power generation capacity remained steady at around 40 gigawatts (GW) through both years. By 2025, the share of coal in electricity generation is expected to drop to approximately 14%, driven by energy diversification policies, improved efficiency in other energy sectors, and international climate commitments.

Pollution

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Coal mining is damaging health and the environment.[16] Some greenhouse gas emissions by Russia are from coal. Carbon capture and storage is not cost effective.[17]

CO2 emissions by fuel, 2021[18]
  1. Natural Gas (52.46%)
  2. Coal (25.88%)
  3. Oil (18.86%)
  4. Other (2.82%)

Russia, known for its extensive use of coal, is one of the world's top greenhouse gas emitters. The country maintains the world's seventh-largest fleet of coal-fired power stations, which significantly contribute to its carbon emissions.[19] This reliance on coal is particularly impactful because the vast majority of CO2 emissions in the energy sector come from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for power generation or to fuel vehicles and machines. Despite Russia's investments in renewable energy and nuclear power, the persistent dependence on coal challenges its ability to combat climate change effectively. Many of Russia's heavy industries are coal-dependent, further complicating the nation's efforts to achieve its announced goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. It is essential for Russia to reduce its reliance on coal and amplify its investment in green technologies to mitigate its environmental impact and meet its climate targets.[19]

Exports

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Most Russian coal exports go to Asian countries,[20][21] with China being the largest market with a quarter of exports.[22] Coal power plants in Turkey, such as Emba Hunutlu, which burn imported coal prefer Russian because it is cheaper than imports from other countries.[23]

The significant reliance on rail transport is evident as about 28% of Russian rail cargo was coal as of 2023. However, the limited eastbound rail infrastructure from the Kuzbass region, a major coal-mining area, to the Pacific Ocean often leads to congestion and delays. This congestion is particularly problematic given the high demand from Asian markets.[24]

To address these challenges, in 2023, the capacity of Russia’s eastern railways was reported at 185 million short tons, with an estimated throughput of 90% (166 million short tons). The Russian government has recognized the need for improvement and plans to increase the capacity of eastbound railways to 231 million short tons by 2030, with an intermediate target of 198 million short tons by 2025. This expansion is crucial to better meet the increasing demand from Asian countries and ensure more efficient delivery of coal exports.[24]

In 2024 the International Energy Agency said: “Russian coal trade has faced increasing difficulties in 2024 amid Western sanctions, infrastructure disruptions and profitability issues, with total exports expected to have decreased by 6%.” and “Russian exports saw a significant shift to the east during 2023, following the EU ban on Russian coal imports in 2022. While two‑thirds of Russian exports were directed to Asian markets in 2022, this share surged to about 84% during 2023.”[25]

History

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Russia remains one of the top coal-producing countries globally, ranking sixth in the world. In 2023, it produced around 438 million tons of coal, which accounted for roughly 6% of global coal production. However, this is part of a long and fluctuating trend. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s and the shift to a market-based economy, Russia's coal output declined sharply—from its peak of over 425 million tons in the late 1980s down to just 232 million tons by the end of the decade.[26]

As the Russian economy began recovering following the 1998 Russian financial crisis, coal production gradually picked up. Yet, it never fully returned to Soviet-era levels, with a post-Soviet peak of about 329 million tons reached in 2008. The 2008 financial crisis, combined with falling coal prices, triggered another dip in output. While coal prices showed signs of recovery in the early 2010s, it was actually the weakening of the ruble that helped boost Russia’s coal exports, making them more affordable on the international market despite global price fluctuations.

By 2024, however, production had slightly decreased to around 427 million tons, partly due to export challenges, Western sanctions, and infrastructure constraints. While Russia still has vast coal reserves, the industry's future is uncertain as global demand shifts and environmental concerns grow.[27]

Personal ranks and rank insignia

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In 1947, personal ranks were introduced for the personnel of the coal industry and mining construction, as well as uniforms with rank insignia on the collar patches of tunics, jackets, great coats, and summer blouses.[28] The personal ranks were abolished in 1954, for the coal industry and mining construction, as well as for most other civilian departments and agencies.[29]

HIGHER ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT STAFF
Collar patches
Personal ranks Director general of the coal industry Director general of mining, first class Director general of mining, second class Director general of mining, third class
SENIOR ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT STAFF
Collar patches
Branch Technical
Collar patches
Branch Administrative
Collar patches
Branch Government Mining Inspection
Personal ranks Mining director Mining director,
first class 		Mining director,
second class 		Mining director,
third class
MIDDLE ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT STAFF
Collar patches
Branch Technical
Collar patches
Branch Government Mining Inspection
Personal ranks Mining engineer,
first class 		Mining engineer,
second class 		Mining engineer,
third class 		Mining technician,
first class 		Mining technician,
second class 		Mining technician,
third class
JUNIOR ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT STAFF
Collar patches
Personal ranks Junior
mining technician 		Senior
mining master 		Mining master,
first grade 		Mining mastern
second grade

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ritchie, Hannah; Roser, Max; Rosado, Pablo (11 February 2024). "Energy". IEA.
  2. ^ a b Sokolov, Dmitry (15 October 2007). "Coal Supply Outlook in Russia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Coal Mining in the Russian Federation". MBendi Information Services. 2010. Archived from the original on 18 May 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  4. ^ Overland, Indra; Loginova, Julia (1 August 2023). "The Russian coal industry in an uncertain world: Finally pivoting to Asia?". Energy Research & Social Science. 102: 103150. Bibcode:2023ERSS..10203150O. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2023.103150. ISSN 2214-6296.
  5. ^ "Huge methane emission from Russian coal mine". BBC News. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  6. ^ Lawson, Peter (2002). "An Introduction to the Russian Coal Industry" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2006.
  7. ^ a b "Russia- Electricity". U.S. Energy Information Administration. November 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Coalmining in Russia". Ignatov & Company Group. October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 February 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Statistics". Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  10. ^ "ТЭК России | Уголь России 2018: впечатляющие победы и скрытые угрозы".
  11. ^ "Добыча угля | Министерство энергетики".
  12. ^ "Добыча угля в РФ в 2022 составила 443,6 млн т, экспорт - 210,9 млн т - Новак - Россия || Интерфакс Россия". 13 February 2023.
  13. ^ Admin (31 January 2024). "Russia's coal output totals 438 mln tonnes, exports 213 mln tonnes in 2023". ICSC. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Russian coal production dips slight..." www.mysteel.net. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Russia's coal output totals 438 mln tonnes, exports 213 mln tonnes in 2023". interfax.com. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  16. ^ EJOLT. "Environmental Justice Atlas". Environmental Justice Atlas. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  17. ^ Cherepovitsyna, Alina; Kuznetsova, Ekaterina; Guseva, Tatiana (1 March 2023). "The costs of CC(U)S adaptation: The case of Russian power industry". Energy Reports. 2022 9th International Conference on Power and Energy Systems Engineering. 9: 704–710. Bibcode:2023EnRep...9..704C. doi:10.1016/j.egyr.2022.11.104. ISSN 2352-4847. S2CID 253658467.
  18. ^ "Russia - Countries & Regions". IEA. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  19. ^ a b Zagoruichyk, Anastasiia (22 September 2022). "The Carbon Brief Profile: Russia". Carbon Brief. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  20. ^ Tan, Huileng. "Asia is in the middle of a record heatwave, and Russia is reaping the financial rewards of it". Business Insider. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  21. ^ Overland, Indra; Loginova, Julia (1 August 2023). "The Russian coal industry in an uncertain world: Finally pivoting to Asia?". Energy Research & Social Science. 102: 103150. Bibcode:2023ERSS..10203150O. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2023.103150. ISSN 2214-6296.
  22. ^ Martus, Ellie; Fortescue, Stephen (19 August 2022). "Russian coal in a changing climate: risks and opportunities for industry and government". Climatic Change. 173 (3): 26. Bibcode:2022ClCh..173...26M. doi:10.1007/s10584-022-03420-0. hdl:1885/307512. ISSN 1573-1480. S2CID 251649557.
  23. ^ "Turkey's new power plant exposes 'huge contradictions' of net zero pledge". Financial Times. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  24. ^ a b "International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  25. ^ "Trade – Coal 2024 – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  26. ^ "Russia's coal output totals 438 mln tonnes, exports 213 mln tonnes in 2023". interfax.com. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Russia reduces coal production by 0.6% to 427 mln tons in 2024". TASS. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  28. ^ А.М. Волков "Проект замены петлиц погонами на форменной одежде работников угольной промышленности СССР (1947 год)." Мундир No. 12.. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
  29. ^ "Указ Президиума ВС СССР от 12.07.1954 об отмене персональных званий и знаков различия для работников гражданских министерств и ведомств." Викитека.. Retrieved 2019-02-05.