DUSHANBE , February 9, Asia-Plus - Last year, Tajikistan extracted 98,765 tons of coal, which is 6,500 tons more compared to 2004.  

Deputy Energy Ministry, Emomiddin Aslov, has told Asia-Plus that the 2005 target on coal extraction has been determined at 90,000 tons and compared to the determined target the index of the volume of extraction of coal amounted to 109.7 percent.  

According to him, at present the price of one ton of coal in Dushanbe fluctuates from 70 to 100 Somonis, which is 6-10 Somonis more compared to 2005.  

Experts link coal prices rises to rising cost of transportation of coal from the deposits to the market.  “Last autumn, at the coalfields, coal was realized at the rate from 27 to 34 Somonis per ton,” the Asia-Plus interlocutor said.