The mine was able to set the output record of 512,955 tonnes (565,436 tons) using a refurbished JOY 6LS3 shearer. The shearer was overhauled by Joy service engineers in the Kuzbass during June 2003, after it had previously extracted 6 million tonnes (6.6 million tons) of coal from two panels.

This is not the first time the Raspadskaya Mine has established a production record. Previously the mine had set three monthly production records from a single longwall face of 315,000 tonnes (347,000 tons) during December 2001, 337,500 tonnes (372,000 tons) during June 2002 and 359,000 tonnes (396,000 tons) in February 2003.

In 2002, the annual output achieved by the mine was an outstanding record of 3.1 million tonnes (3.4 million tons).

The mine is now expecting a further production increase brought by the greater production capacity from a longer longwall face line.

To achieve this, the mine has invested in the purchase of 50 metres (164 feet) of roof support and AFC extension. The equipment, to be installed in June 2004, will extend the face length to 300 metres (985 feet).