Kazakhstan produces nearly 29 million tons of coal in Q1 2026

In recent years, coal production in Kazakhstan has consistently exceeded 110 million tons annually, reaching 120.5 million tons in 2025.

Nikolay Radostovets, Executive Director of the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises, says that coal exports remain an important factor in ensuring sustainability of mining enterprises.

"Exports remain an important area, as they ensure enterprise capacity, foreign exchange earnings, tax revenues, and the sustainability of production programs," Rafostovets said.

At the same time, he stressed that exports should not come at the expense of domestic supply.

"With proper planning, domestic needs are met as a priority, while exports support overall production levels and the financial stability of enterprises," he added.

Radostovets identified geopolitical changes, transport route restrictions, and insufficient transport infrastructure capacity as the main constraints on coal exports.

According to him, maintaining Kazakhstan’s export potential requires intergovernmental cooperation, the development of alternative routes, the efficient operation of the Aktau and Kuryk ports, and predictable tariff and logistics conditions.

Earlier, it was reported that new coal-based energy facilities will be built in the cities of Ekibastuz, Kurchatov, Zhezkazgan, Kokshetau, Semey, and Ust-Kamenogorsk.