Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a major coal producer, with exports increasingly driven by demand from key regional and global partners, including Russia and Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan’s coal industry continues to play a crucial role in the country’s energy security while expanding its export potential amid steady production growth, The Caspian Post reports via Bizmedia.kz.

In 2025, coal mines across Kazakhstan produced 115 million tons of coal - a 7% increase compared to the previous year. Of this volume, 85 million tons were used domestically, while 30 million tons were exported abroad.

The main buyers of Kazakh coal include Russia, Poland, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, India, Malaysia and several other countries.

Looking ahead, production is expected to rise further to 128.9 million tons in 2026 as the sector attracts growing investment interest. In 2025 alone, the industry received 305 billion tenge in funding, with projections reaching up to 553 billion tenge in 2026.

Kazakhstan currently has around 40 active subsoil users in the coal sector, while the government continues efforts to attract new investment and expand exploration activities. By the end of this year, authorities plan to auction ten new coal deposits for development.

With estimated reserves of 33.6 billion tons, Kazakhstan ranks among the world’s top 10 countries in coal resources. At current production levels, these reserves are expected to last for more than three centuries, underscoring the country’s long-term role in global energy markets.