Ukraine's coal extraction fell 0.2% year on year, or 40,000 mt, to 21.08 million mt in the first quarter, down from 21.12 million mt produced a year ago, the energy and coal industry ministry said Monday.
Output of thermal coal, which is used in power generation, increased 1.4% to 15.09 million mt from 14.88 million mt extracted in January-March 2013. Ukraine also produced 5.99 million mt of coking coal, which is used in steel making, down 4.2% from 6.25 million mt.
In March, Ukraine extracted 7.13 million mt of coal, down from 7.38 million mt a year ago, but up from 6.94 million mt produced in February.
Production of thermal coal in March increased 0.5% year on year to 5.24 million mt, but production of coking coal decreased 12.7% to 1.89 million mt.
Ukraine's thermal power plants reduced coal consumption 5.3% year on year to 8.97 million mt in January-March, down from 9.47 million mt consumed a year ago.
Ukraine produced 83.7 million mt of coal in 2013, down 2.6% from 85.95 million mt in 2012.
