Coal extraction in Kazakhstan has been declining for the second consecutive year. In 2024, the volume of extraction amounted to 112.6 million tonnes, which is 3.2% less than in 2023. The previous year, experts noted a decrease of 1.4%.
According to Energyprom.kz, 92% of extraction came from two regions — Pavlodar (67 million tonnes) and Karaganda (36.5 million tonnes).
At the same time, over the year, prices for solid fuel rose by 10.4%. The previous year, the increase was 9.9%. Meanwhile, coal became more expensive by 8.6% over the year. The highest price increases were recorded in Aktobe Region — 24.6%, in East Kazakhstan Region (EKR) — 15.8%, in Abai Region — 15.1%, and in North Kazakhstan Region (NKR) — 15%. Abai Region and NKR are among the regions where more than half of homes are heated with solid fuel.
As it became known, the average retail price per tonne of coal in December 2024 was 18.3 thousand tenge. In Aktobe and Konayev — 22-23 thousand tenge.
Meanwhile, firewood became more expensive over the year by a record 15.6%. The previous year, the price increase was 7.3%. The maximum price hike was recorded in Akmola Region — 34.1%.
At the end of last year, the average price for firewood was 11.9 thousand tenge per cubic metre. The highest prices were observed in Astana and Kokshetau — 17.3 thousand and 16.1 thousand tenge per cubic metre respectively.
For reference, the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) previously stopped the illegal activities of the commodity exchange "Modern Trading Solutions", whose management sold coal from the Shubarkul deposit for an additional fee.