LUTEC BUILDS UP CAPACITY

ZAO LuTEC plans to start coal production in area No. 2 of Luchegorsky-1 open-pit mine in the latter half of October, says its spokesperson Veronica Belousova.

By her words, area No. 2 is being developed to replace depleted coal pits. It is expected that the new area will produce 200,000 tons of coal in the fourth quarter of this year and in 2005 it will reach its design capacity of 500,000 tons.

"As part of the task, set by FEECMC before coal producers to replace depleted pits and maintain coal production at existing level (6.25 million tons in 2003), works on the new coal field began at Luchegorsky-2. Overburden removal will start in this year. Expansion and revamping of this open-pit mine will make it possible to bring its capacity up to 2.5 million tons of quality coal per annum," Veronica Belousova said.

NOTE: LuTEC's charter capital is 2,983,831,000 rubles and split into 2,983,831 ordinary shares with a face value of 1,000 rubles. Its shareholders are RAO UES of Russia - 56.3%, Primorskugol - 43.7%. - Olga DOBROLYUBOVA.

MOSCOW INSURANCE COMPANY COMES TO VLADIVOSTOK

As "ZR" was informed by the local insurance authority, a branch of Moscow Insurance Company (MIC) will open in Vladivostok in the nearest future.

MIC was established in 1998. Its charter capital is 1,223 million rubles. The company's founders are the Moscow government (51%) and the Bank of Moscow (49%). Its license covers 78 insurance activities, including insurance of vehicles, cargoes, property, enterprises as sources of hazard, reinsurance, accident insurance, mandatory insurance of driver's liability. MIC runs 20 branches in Russian cities. - Tatiana KOZINA.

S.C.E.C. CONSOLIDATING AFFILIATES

Siberian Coal Energy Company (SCEC) will transfer to its books the bulk of its coal-related assets, including OAO Primorskugol, SCEC director general Peter Khaspekov informed "ZR."

SCEC plans to transfer to its books shares of stock and stakes in all coal producing and support companies, important for SCEC's strategic interests. This decision will apply to a controlling interest in Primorskugol. The plan will be launched as soon as necessary approvals from anti-monopoly authorities obtained, Peter Khaspekov said.

In July, SCEC submitted to the Federal Anti-monopoly Service an application to buy stakes in 60 coal and support companies, in which it shareholders own 51% to 75%. In particular, SCEC intends to transfer to its books 8 coal mines, earlier belonging to Kuzbassugol, 3 underground mines and 2 open-pit mines owned by Sokolovskaya company. Other companies to be transferred on SCEC's books are Tulunsky open-pit mine, Vostsibugol, Krasnoayrsk coal company, Primorskugol, Khakasugol, Chernogorskaya coal company, Izykhsky open-pit mine and Chitinskaya coal company. - Olga DOBROLYUBOVA.

OIL RECOVERY BARGE BUILT AT PRIMORIAN YARD

A barge for oily and sewage water recovery was launched on 17 October at Zvezda yard, a member of Dalsudpromshelf consortium.

The barge is intended for collection of garbage, oily and sewage water from ships, settlement, separation and disposal of oil residue to shore storages. Viktor Starchenko, chairman of the regional administration's Industry Committee, who attended the ceremony, said that construction and commissioning of such a vessel is an important contribution to environment protection and in line with the international convention on prevention of sea pollution by oil from ships, to which Russia is a member.

Client for this barge was the Marine Administration of Vostochny Port, and designer was Vostok designing bureau from St. Petersburg. The contract was signed in August 2003, keel was laid on 27 December, and final commissioning and handover to the client will take place in December 2004, the regional administration's press service reports. - Yevgeny ITAROV.

CRYSTAL-VOSTOK HAS NEW TOP MANAGER

A new director general was appointed to Crystal-Vostok, one of the Far East's largest liquor sellers.

Vladimir Zagumennyi replaced Yevgeny Kiselev in this position. - Yury NURMUKHAMETOV.

SLY BARGAIN FELL THROUGH

The Federal Anti-monopoly Service (FAS) fined Nakhodka Base of Deepsea Fisheries (BAMR) for breach of Article 18 of the law "On Competition and Monopolist Activity Restraining."

FAS found out that BAMR transacted a number of deals in July 2004 to acquire stakes in charter capital of Far Eastern Fishing Company. By doing so, it failed to comply with the requirement that anti-monopoly authorities shall be notified of such deals, where buyer gains control of more than 20% in the company, whose shares it buys.

The imposed penalty is equal to 1,000 minimum monthly wages and, according to Administrative Fault Code, must be paid within 30 days after the penalty writ takes effect.

FAS's local branch did not give any comments saying that this decision had been made by the federal office in Moscow. However, in an unofficial conversation local FAS officials said that this law violation is widely spread. Normally, it happens when a company does not wish to attract attention to an upcoming deal, which seems to be the case with BAMR.

According to law, BAMR should have submitted an application to FAS and obtain permission. Its case was examined in Moscow, because assets in question could be very large, local officials suggested. - Yury NURMUKHAMETOV.

ANTI-MONOPOLY WATCHDOG WARNS ENERGY SUPPLIER

The local office of the Federal Anti-monopoly Service gave a warning to OAO Dalenergo. FAS representatives assert that Dalenergo deliberately hampers access by local companies to the federal wholesale market of electric energy and capacity (FOREM).

Investigation began after a complaint was received from little-known company SKAF representing one of local ore mining and enriching plants. Early this year, they requested Dalenergo to sign a contract on electric energy conveyance, but never received a positive answer. FAS's office in Primorye concluded that Dalenergo violated federal anti-monopoly laws.

As "ZR" was informed by spokesman for Dalenergo, the energy supplier disagrees with this accusation and will bring the case to court. That can mean only one thing - access to cheaper electric energy from FOREM will be barred to local companies. - Andrei BLINOV.

KAMCHATKA PLAYS HOST TO MORE TOURISTS

By data of the region's foreign economic linkages and tourism department, over 8,000 foreign tourists, let alone unregistered groups, visited the peninsula in 2003.

They were Americans, Japanese, Koreans, Frenchmen and others, including citizens of former Soviet republics. Tourism officials expect that this figure will grow by 1,000 in this year. Interest to the peninsula grows both in Russia and abroad. Its main attractions are opportunities for extreme tourism, volcanoes, geysers, clean air and rivers with swift current. - Yulia PROKHOROVA.