Production Raw coal output from 227 surveyed coking coal mines under 88 enterprises stood at 8.98 Mt over the period, down 85.9 Kt WoW, with the average capacity utilization down 0.85 pp to 88.94%. Around the year-end, some mines reduced production after finishing yearly output targets, while most of the rest continued normal operations.

Price Among these surveyed mines, one mine raised prices by 35 yuan/t, while 16 mines cut prices averagely by 49 yuan/t. As macro-economy outlook worsened, market sentiment was quite gloomy. Most online auctions concluded with lower settlements or failures, with price declines up to 50 yuan/t. Some mines giving higher offers also adjusted prices.

Stock Coke producers slowed their restocking pace as coke prices may drop again. Most middlemen also accelerated sales. With unsmooth sales, coal stockpiles at some mines kept building ups. Raw coal stocks at the surveyed mines increased 72 Kt WoW to 3.37 Mt on Dec 18, and washed coal stocks increased 76.4 Kt to 2.58 Mt. Following previous procurement, coke inventories kept rising at coking plants. Stocks at surveyed coking plants were 8.19 days' worth of use on average, up 0.5 day week on week.