Kazakhstan's Qarmet company has started exporting coal concentrate to China, marking a new stage in the company’s expansion into international markets.

The shipments are being carried out in partnership with China National Fuel Corporation Limited, a company specializing in coking coal, coal for pulverized coal injection, as well as copper ore, iron ore, and sulfur supplies, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The exported product is coking coal concentrate, widely used in metallurgy for coke production - a key material in blast furnace operations. Coke plays a critical role in extracting iron from ore and ensuring stable steel and pig iron production, directly impacting efficiency and costs in the metallurgical industry.

According to the company, the new export route is important not only for market diversification but also for ensuring stable utilization of Qarmet’s production facilities. Regular shipments are expected to support continuous operations at its mines and processing plants, maintaining a steady production chain from coal extraction to concentrate preparation.

As part of the contract, a pilot rail shipment of over 4,300 tons was transported via the Dostyk-Alashankou border crossing. The cargo has already reached its destination in China and is currently undergoing industrial testing. Based on the results, shipments could gradually increase to up to 40,000 tons per month.

For Qarmet, this is seen as a strategic step rather than a one-time delivery, opening access to one of the world’s largest markets for metallurgical raw materials.

The company says the move strengthens its export potential, diversifies its customer base, and reinforces long-term production stability, positioning Qarmet as a reliable supplier of coal concentrate not only in the CIS region but also in global markets.