The steady loss of market for the fine sizes and non-payment in cash for coal delivered to bulk consumers has forced mines to reduce or cease fine coal shipments and, therefore, maximum production. The resulting decline in availability of funds caused mines to reduce maintenance of equipment, number of miners, support personnel, and staff. In Kyrgyzstan, the price of coal is affected by the above problems. While a complete coal price analysis is beyond the scope of this study, inquiries made which centered on the coal price at the mine did result in the following information. Fines are being stockpiled at several mines.
Quality is about the same as fine coal.
The supply of this coal is very limited and some of the price paid by the consumer will be in the form of bartered vegetables, wood fuel or traded labor. No indirect costs such as amortization charges for development, equipment and facility depreciation, interest, and other fixed costs are included. This means that coal prices are understated. This is called the Tax Price. They pay a five percent tax on the coal produced, whether they sell it or not.