Russian coal company Karakan Invest has joined the World Coal Association (WCA) as its newest member. Karakan Invest closely follows the addition of Minerals Council Australia and Whitehaven Coal in April this year and broadens WCA’s ever-growing, global network of major coal producers, national coal associations and other non-profit bodies with an interest in the future of the coal industry. Milton Catelin, Chief Executive of the WCA, said: “Karakan Invest increases our membership in Russia – a region with increasing significance in the global coal market. It is particularly exciting to welcome Karakan Invest as a member of the WCA because of its approach to utilising coal more efficiently through coal conversion technologies. Developing these technologies will play a vital role in creating a sustainable future for coal.”

Karakan Invest is the holding company specialising in shaping and developing the Karakan coal-power cluster in central Russia. It combines production, processing and generation capacity utilising coal from the Karakan coal deposit in the Kemerovo region. The coal recovered by Karakan Invest is exported to 22 countries worldwide.  

G.L. Krasnyansky, Chairman, Karakan Invest commented: “We are very pleased to join the World Coal Association. Developing new coal technologies, such as coal conversion, will be a fundamental aspect of the future of the global coal industry. We very much look forward to working with the World Coal Association to promote a better understanding of these important technologies.”