The Czech Republic has announced plans to shut down its last operating hard-coal mine by 2026, marking the country’s final step in its transition away from fossil fuels. The move will make Poland the only remaining EU member still producing hard coal, underlining the Czech government’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality and phasing out all coal by 2033.
The ČSM mine, located in Moravia-Silesia near the Polish border, will be the last to close. Despite remaining profitable, mining company OKD and the Czech government agreed that the phase-out should occur while operations are still financially sustainable, ensuring a managed and economically stable closure.
The closure, however, has sparked fierce public debate and regional backlash. The government’s plan to transform the area into a green industrial zone, including a proposed lithium battery gigafactory, has drawn criticism from local residents and civil society groups.
Martin Bohoněk, of the environmental organization Zachovejme Poolší (“Let’s Save Poolší”), said the project risks displacing the community’s identity without adequately addressing social needs:
“They are building on the last green space in the area, but they will not be building homes, hospitals, or schools for it.”
The proposed industrial development would cover an area equivalent to 380 football fields, a scale that locals rejected in a 2024 referendum. Many fear the project will attract foreign labor while offering few direct benefits to the existing population.
The closure also raises concerns about job losses in the region, historically known as the “boiler room of Europe.” Socioeconomic experts warn that young people are likely to migrate to Czech cities in search of better opportunities, deepening the region’s demographic challenges.
Meanwhile, Poland now accounts for 98% of the EU’s hard-coal output, producing about 48 million tonnes annually and heavily relying on state subsidies estimated at €235,000 per hour to keep its mines running.
Although controversial, the Czech government views the decision as a strategic and necessary transition. By ending coal mining while introducing new green industries, it hopes to reposition the region as a hub for clean-energy technologies, even as questions remain about social and environmental balance.
