The losses of the coalmines management of the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry of Ukraine from coal production in January-April 2013 came to UAH 4.78 billion.

The ministry said that in the first four months of 2013 state-run coalmines produced coal worth UAH 2.757 billion, which is 14% or UAH 448.9 million down year-over-year.

In January-April 2013, the average price of coal produced by state mines came to UAH 502.10 per tonne. The average price fell by 20.8% or UAH 131.70 compared to January-April 2012.

The cash cost of one tonne of coal came to UAH 1,372.60. The growth in cash cost compared to January-April 2012 came to 5.6% or UAH 72.60.

UAH 4.465 billion was sent from the national budget to partially cover expenses on the cash cost of coal.

The ministry said that state mines produced 5.491 million tonnes of commodity coal over the period, including 1.37 million tonnes in April.

As reported, coal extraction in Ukraine in 2012 grew by 4.8% or 3.955 million tonnes compared with 2011, to 85.946 million tonnes. Coal consumption in Ukraine in 2012 rose by 6.2% on 2011, to 61.207 million tonnes, including a rise of 1.7% by thermal power plants, to 32.228 million tonnes.