Kemerovo capitalises on its coal.(Russia)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Russia's Kemerovo region of Siberia, also known as Kuzbass, is one of the centres of Russian industry and possesses huge coal reserves. Last year its volume of industrial production grew by 19% -- the highest rate in the country. The region's Kuznetsk coal basin is one of the largest in the world and accounts for nearly 40% of all coal mined in Russia. In 1999, output exceeded 100 Mt for the first time. Exports grew by 19% and coal is now sold to 28 different countries. Almost 70% of the coal produced is of coking grade. There are plans to establish semi-coke production in