DUSHANBE, June 7, 2013, Asia-Plus – Over the first five months of this year, Tajikistan has produced more than 100,000 tons of coal, which is 55,000 tons or more than twice than in the same period last, the Ministry of Energy and Industry (MoEI) press center reports.  

The amount of coal sales in the country over the same five-month period has been more than 75,500 tons.

Coal production has reportedly increased due to a shift from more expensive natural gas and electricity to more economical coal.  Since 2007, 162 enterprises have shifted to coal.  Over the report period, the Tajik Aluminum Company (TALCO) alone has purchased 40,000 tons of coal.

In Tajikistan, coal mostly comes from Fon-Yaghnob field.  More than 2000 coal-selling shops now operate across the country.

Last year, Tajikistan produced more than 412,000 tons of coal, 175,000 tons more than in 2011.