The global steel giant ArcelorMittal has announced the sale of its interest in the Kuzbass coal mines in the Kemerovo region of Siberia, Russia, to Russia’s National Fuel Company (NTK).
The assets include the Berezovskaya and Pervomaskaya coal mines, which together produce 700,000 mt of coal a year.
ArcelorMittal acquired the Kuzbass mines in 2008 as part of the company’s strategy to secure delivery of coal to ArcelorMittal steel operations in Ukraine.
Bill Scotting, CEO of ArcelorMittal Mining, stated, "The decision to dispose of the Kuzbass coal mines follows a strategic review of the assets. As our Ukraine steel operations now source coking coal from ArcelorMittal’s mines in Kazakhstan, Kuzbass is no longer a strategic asset for ArcelorMittal. We are pleased to have agreed the sale to NTK as Kuzbass is an important employer in the region and this offers a sustainable solution for employees and other stakeholders."