So, in 2017 it was planned to produce at least 35.6 million tons of coal, but the figures for the past year indicate a decrease in production by one percent. As a result, in December, the month of 2017, the order was given to increase production, in order to fulfill and catch up with the indicators of the plan. In December, it was extracted 2 million 952 thousand tons of coal, which is 252.8 thousand tons or nine and a half percent more than the planned figure of 2 million 699.3 thousand tons.

It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian ports last year as never before were loaded with work on receiving and discharging coal. It was accepted for six and a half million tons, or 64 percent more than in 2016. According to the Minister of Coal Industry Igor Nasalik, in 2018 Ukraine can finally give up coal supplies from abroad.

As reported in the "URA-Inform", foreign exchange costs for the purchase of coal have almost doubled - up to 2.744 billion dollars from 1.467 billion dollars.