Vostsibugol has coal mines in southeast Siberia and exceeds production of 16 million tons per annum.

Vostsibugol, which is the first and only Russian WCA member, follows the path of GE Mining, which became a WCA member earlier this year.

“Vostsibugol is pleased to join the WCA and will use the opportunity to engage with fellow member companies from around the globe,” Vostsibugol director-general Evgeniy Masternak said.

“The WCA gives the coal industry a strong voice on the international stage and it is important that the coal community rallies behind it. We are looking forward to working with the WCA and its members on the challenges and exciting prospects that face the coal industry.”

WCA chief executive officer Milton Catelin said he hoped other coal producers in Russia would follow Vostsibugol’s lead.

“Russia currently has 18% of the world’s proved coal reserves – approximately 443 years’ worth of coal left. It is, therefore, an extremely important region for the coal industry,” Catelin said.

“The geographical spread of our members ensures the WCA can actively engage with the challenges the industry faces in developed and developing countries as well as increasing the global influence of each member.”

Vostsibugol’s deposits have been in operation for the past 65 years and, with more than 1 billion tons of coal mined so far.

The Russian producer becomes the WCA’s 40th member.