MINEX Forum

Tag: coal mining

  • Six Arrested in Kosovo Crackdown on Illegal Coal Mining

    Six Arrested in Kosovo Crackdown on Illegal Coal Mining

    Authorities in Kosovo have arrested six individuals during an operation targeting illegal coal mining activities in the Mitrovica region.

    The action was carried out by the Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica in coordination with Kosovo Police across three locations in the municipality of Vushtrri. The operation focused on suspected illegal mining activities in the villages of Bivolak, Zhilivodë and Stroc.

    According to prosecutors, the six suspects were detained on suspicion of committing criminal offenses including “Pollution, degradation or destruction of the environment” and “Causing general danger.” The individuals will be interviewed by police as part of the ongoing investigation.

    During the operation, authorities also seized equipment believed to have been used in illegal coal extraction. Confiscated machinery included three excavators, six trucks and a tractor.

    The Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica said the action reflects ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat environmental crimes and protect natural resources.

    Officials emphasised that institutions remain committed to prosecuting activities that damage the environment or threaten public safety.

  • Kazakhstan Targets Coal Output Growth as New Generation Plan Forecasts Rising Demand

    Kazakhstan Targets Coal Output Growth as New Generation Plan Forecasts Rising Demand

    Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has held talks with the country’s largest coal producers to discuss implementation of presidential directives issued at the Fifth National Kurultai, alongside a newly adopted national plan for coal-fired power generation.

    The plan reaffirms coal’s role as a strategic asset for Kazakhstan, which holds reserves exceeding 33 billion tonnes. According to ministry forecasts, new industrial projects are expected to require an additional 19 million tonnes of thermal coal annually by 2032, placing pressure on producers to expand output capacity in the coming years.

    Major domestic mining companies have indicated readiness to meet the anticipated increase in demand. Bogatyr Komir, one of Kazakhstan’s largest coal producers, said it plans to raise production from 42.7 million tonnes to 45.2 million tonnes this year, with a longer-term target of 56.5 million tonnes annually by 2032.

    To achieve this expansion, the company intends to invest approximately KZT 360 billion in the launch of new cyclic-flow technology (CFT) complexes and the modernisation of its mining equipment fleet. The investment programme also includes the implementation of digital systems such as MES solutions for CFT operations and advanced haulage optimisation tools.

    Shubarkol Komir likewise confirmed plans to increase output to 16.1 million tonnes this year. Over the next six years, the company will invest KZT 95.5 billion in the second phase of its CFT infrastructure development, alongside nearly KZT 50 billion earmarked for new machinery and equipment purchases, including robotic systems.

    The ministry emphasised that coordinated industry efforts will be essential to maintain energy security and support industrial growth as Kazakhstan balances its resource base with evolving economic priorities.

  • Coal Sector Protests and Shortages Threaten Power Supply in Romania and Bosnia

    Coal Sector Protests and Shortages Threaten Power Supply in Romania and Bosnia

    Workers in the coal mining and thermal power sectors across Southeast Europe are facing mounting pressure from austerity measures and supply disruptions, raising concerns about electricity generation and energy security in the region.

    In Romania, employees of state-owned Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) have staged protests, including hunger strikes, in response to proposed wage cuts and the possible cancellation of meal vouchers. Thirteen workers have reportedly gone on hunger strike, while demonstrations have taken place at several coal mines and one thermal power plant.

    During a meeting with union representatives, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan stated that CE Oltenia could only be exempted from austerity measures if it improves efficiency and reduces reliance on state aid. A government memorandum clarifying the situation is expected to be discussed next week. Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan noted that Romania had previously renegotiated with the European Commission the closure deadline for certain coal-fired power plants, extending it beyond December 31, 2025.

    Union representatives warned that if their demands are not addressed, protests could escalate and further reduce already strained coal supplies feeding the Rovinari and Turceni thermal power plants, which are central to Romania’s power system.

    Similar challenges are emerging in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ugljevik thermal power plant is currently offline due to coal shortages and has recently reduced salaries for all employees. In late January, the Government of the Republic of Srpska agreed to transfer part of the Ugljevik coal concession from Comsar Energy RS, majority owned by Russian businessman Rashid Sardarov, to RiTE Ugljevik, the plant’s operator.

    The transferred deposit reportedly contains around 50 million tonnes of coal, enough to supply the plant for approximately 25 years. The reserves had originally been earmarked for the planned Ugljevik 3 project, which was never completed.

    Labor tensions have also surfaced at the Zenica coal mine, which is scheduled for closure. In September, miners staged a five-day hunger strike over unpaid wages.

    The combined impact of labor unrest and coal shortages has contributed to a sharp rise in electricity imports. In 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s electricity imports reached a record €321.6 million, roughly double the previous year, partly due to production halts at coal-fired facilities.

  • Satellite Data Suggest Polish Coal Mines Continued Methane Venting Despite EU Ban

    Satellite Data Suggest Polish Coal Mines Continued Methane Venting Despite EU Ban

    New satellite analysis indicates that several Polish coal mines may have continued venting methane in 2025 despite a ban under the EU Methane Regulation that took effect in January of that year. The findings raise concerns about enforcement gaps and the absence of penalty frameworks in Poland, the EU’s largest coal methane emitter.

    According to analysis cited in the report, 96% of methane plumes detected over onshore European energy infrastructure in 2025 were traced to Polish coal mines, making them the most frequent fossil fuel methane super-emitters in the bloc. Out of 22 coal mine drainage systems examined in Poland, five were observed venting methane during the year, even though routine venting from drainage systems has been prohibited since January 2025.

    The EU Methane Regulation requires operators to either utilize captured methane or flare it with at least 99% destruction efficiency. Venting is permitted only in cases of emergency, malfunction, or unavoidable maintenance, and operators must notify competent authorities within 48 hours. However, no national penalty framework has yet been adopted in Poland, despite a deadline of 5 August 2025 for Member States to define sanctions.

    Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and coal remains the largest source of fossil methane emissions in the EU energy sector. According to UNFCCC data, EU coal mining emitted 783.6 thousand tonnes of methane in 2023, accounting for around 60% of energy-sector methane emissions. The International Energy Agency estimates that 62% of the EU’s coal mine methane emissions could be technically abated by 2030, with the vast majority originating in Poland.

    Satellite observations detected emission rates ranging from roughly 120 kg per hour to 7,560 kg per hour, with 19 plumes exceeding 2,000 kg per hour. Coking coal mines were responsible for most of the detected events, despite representing a smaller share of overall hard coal production. Analysts argue this highlights the need for stricter methane reduction targets for coking coal operations.

    The report also estimates that methane reportedly vented from Polish drainage systems in 2024, if captured and used, could have provided enough energy to meet roughly one week of heating demand for approximately 14.5 million Polish households. Polish coal mines reportedly utilized 70% of captured drainage methane in 2024, while 57,000 tonnes went unused and were emitted into the atmosphere.

    Experts stress that the effectiveness of the EU Methane Regulation depends on enforcement, independent emissions verification, and the introduction of dissuasive penalties. Recommendations include harmonized verification standards, combining satellite monitoring with on-site inspections, and setting meaningful penalty levels to incentivize compliance.

    Without these measures, observers warn, the regulation risks falling short of delivering the significant methane reductions required to meet EU climate objectives.

  • Czech Republic Ends Hard Coal Mining After Nearly 250 Years

    Czech Republic Ends Hard Coal Mining After Nearly 250 Years

    The Czech Republic has formally brought nearly two and a half centuries of hard coal mining to a close, marking the moment with a symbolic final cart of black coal lifted from a depth of 1300 metres. The ceremony took place on Wednesday at the CSM mine in Stonava, close to the Polish border, and was attended by current and former miners, officials, and invited guests.

    State-owned mining company OKD confirmed that the CSM operation was the country’s last active hard coal mine and said production had become unsustainable due to rising costs. Speaking at the event, OKD general director Roman Sikora described the closure as a historic milestone and paid tribute to generations of miners who shaped the country’s industrial development.

    Over its long history, the CSM mine developed an underground network exceeding one million metres in length and became the setting for several notable moments, including a wedding held almost 900 metres below ground in 1992. The mine was also visited underground by playwright and former Czech president Václav Havel in the early 1990s.

    The shutdown marks the end of an era for the Moravian-Silesian region, long defined by heavy industry and coal production. While around 700 workers will remain involved in decommissioning and closure activities, others are expected to transition into retraining programmes.

    Hard coal, also known as black coal or anthracite, is valued for its high carbon content and energy density. Although underground hard coal mining has now ended in the Czech Republic, lignite extraction in open-cast mines is expected to continue until 2033. Comparable closures have already taken place elsewhere in Europe, including Germany, which shut its last hard coal mine in the Ruhr region in 2018.

  • Coal Self-Ignition at Pavlodar Deposits Triggers Fines and Environmental Scrutiny

    Coal Self-Ignition at Pavlodar Deposits Triggers Fines and Environmental Scrutiny

    Environmental inspectors have identified multiple violations at coal deposits in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region after detecting spontaneous coal combustion at four separate sites, leading to excessive atmospheric emissions.

    According to Kazinform, supervisory authorities launched inspections following complaints from local residents about persistent smog. Investigations confirmed air pollution caused by burning coal waste at the Bogatyr, Shygys, Angrensor Energo and Maikuben deposits. Three of the affected sites are located in Ekibastuz, while the Maikuben operation lies in the Bayanaul district.

    Regulators found that the subsoil users had failed to fully comply with the conditions of their environmental emission permits. As a result, the companies were held administratively liable and fined. Bogatyr Komir was ordered to pay 680,000 tenge, Eurasian Energy Corporation’s Shygys mine 889,000 tenge, Angrensor Energo 702,000 tenge, and Maikuben-West 658,000 tenge.

    In addition to the penalties, the coal producers have been instructed to develop and implement technical action plans aimed at containing and eliminating the self-ignition hotspots. The regional environmental department will oversee compliance with the prescribed deadlines.

  • Czech Republic to close its last black coal mine, ending more than 250 years of deep mining

    Czech Republic to close its last black coal mine, ending more than 250 years of deep mining

    The Czech Republic will shut its final black coal shaft at the end of January, marking the end of more than 250 years of deep coal mining that once underpinned the rise of heavy industry in Central Europe. The last coal is now being extracted from kilometre-deep shafts at the CSM mine in Stonava near the Polish border, as low global coal prices and Europe’s industrial and environmental transition erode demand.

    State-owned miner OKD had planned to close the operation three years earlier, but Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 temporarily boosted energy markets and extended the mine’s life. According to OKD director Roman Sikora, increasing mining depth has driven costs higher, making the operation uncompetitive amid weak prices.

    Coal mining in the Ostrava region began in the late 18th century, transforming the area into an industrial hub supported by railways, steelworks and large-scale infrastructure. Employment peaked in the 1980s with more than 100,000 miners and annual output of up to 25 million tonnes. Following the collapse of communist-era heavy industry after 1989, mines closed gradually and employment fell sharply. By October last year, OKD’s output had dropped to 1.1 million tonnes, with its workforce reduced to 2,300 and a further 1,550 jobs set to be cut.

    The region has since diversified its economy, supported by retraining programmes, foreign investment and EU funding. It is set to receive 19 billion Czech crowns from the EU’s Just Transition Fund to support post-coal redevelopment. OKD plans to remain active above ground through coal trading and new projects, including a battery park, data centre and a small methane-powered plant using gas from former shafts.

  • Polish Coal Sector Faces Financial Strain Amid Energy Transition

    Polish Coal Sector Faces Financial Strain Amid Energy Transition

    Poland’s coal mining sector has reduced its losses since last year but still needs billions of złoty in state support to survive, according to Polish media.

    In the first half of 2025, the sector made a net loss of 4.059 billion złoty (€950 million), Industrial Development Agency data show, less than half of the 8.365 billion złoty (€1.97 billion) lost in the first six months of 2024. Over the whole of 2023, Polish coal mining turned a net profit of 4.8 billion złoty (€1.13 billion).

    Despite the improved performance, the industry needs shoring up from the state budget due to rising costs and falling output, one trade union leader told the wnp.pl business news site. Bogusław Ziętek, head of the Sierpień 80 miners’ union, said the high costs are a result of government policy.

    As part of its ‘green transition’ policy of diversifying energy production away from fossil fuels and toward renewables, the government has capped coal extraction. This year’s output is equal to that forecast for 2035, and this falling yield has pushed up the production price per ton, Ziętek said. Because of this, he argues, the government’s energy policy will cost the state billions.

    Polish online energy portal Wysokie Napięcie reports that the government has earmarked over 9 billion złoty (€2.12 billion) to support collieries in 2025, made up of 3.5 billion złoty (€820 million) in direct subsidies and up to a further 5.4 billion złoty (€1.27 billion) in loans.

    A ‘social agreement’ between the government and miners’ unions officially allocates around 29 billion złoty (€6.82 billion) for subsidies to unprofitable mining firms until 2031, though some sources have suggested the true cost may be as high as 42 billion złoty (€9.88 billion).

  • Poland’s JSW Reports Record €1.7 Billion Loss Amid Falling Coal Prices and One-Time Write-Off

    Poland’s JSW Reports Record €1.7 Billion Loss Amid Falling Coal Prices and One-Time Write-Off

    Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW), the EU’s largest coking coal producer and a Polish state-owned firm, has posted a staggering net loss of nearly 7.3 billion zloty (€1.7 billion) for 2024 — its worst result since going public in 2011. The company’s revenue plunged by 26.2% year-on-year to 11.3 billion zloty, marking a sharp reversal from a profit of nearly 1 billion zloty in 2023.

    JSW attributed the record loss largely to a 6.4 billion zloty non-financial asset write-off, alongside lower coal production and declining global coal prices. Coal output dropped 9.3% to 12 million tonnes, while coke production fell 8.6% to 3 million tonnes, driven by geological challenges and operational setbacks.

    The average price for JSW’s coal fell 20%, with hard coking coal prices down 19% and thermal coal prices plummeting over 30%. JSW plans to cover 6.33 billion zloty of its 2024 loss using reserve capital and seeks to reclaim a 1.6 billion zloty “solidarity contribution” imposed under a 2023 windfall tax.

    With extraction costs in Poland averaging 820 zloty per tonne—over five times higher than in the US—the country’s coal mining industry remains heavily subsidised. Government support for the sector is set to increase from 7 billion zloty in 2024 to 9 billion zloty in 2025.

    Despite pledges to accelerate its coal phase-out, Poland’s new ruling coalition has made limited progress. Coal still powers roughly 57% of the country’s electricity and remains a key heating source in many homes.

  • Kazakhstan’s Extractive Industry in 2024: Results and Challenges

    Kazakhstan’s Extractive Industry in 2024: Results and Challenges

    The extractive sector in Kazakhstan faced numerous hurdles in 2024, with a mix of progress and setbacks across various industries. While many companies are expected to release full production reports in spring 2025, preliminary data offers insight into the performance and challenges encountered by the nation’s resource sectors.

    Mining and Metallurgy

    According to Kazakhstan’s National Statistics Bureau (Qazstat), the industrial production index for the extractive industry stood at 99.8% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The decline was mainly attributed to a drop in coal production, despite positive trends in other areas.

    Coal Mining

    The coal industry in Kazakhstan experienced a decline in production, with a 3.9% decrease in total output, which amounted to 108.46 million tonnes. This was due to reduced extraction of both hard and brown coal. However, despite the drop in volume, the total value of the coal sector increased by 2.9%, reaching 537.79 billion tenge.

    The coal industry continues to face challenges such as logistical issues, with disruptions in transportation to Russia and Europe. These challenges are compounded by the growing global shift toward greener energy solutions, putting further pressure on traditional coal industries. In response, the government is focusing on the development of “clean coal” technologies and strengthening cooperation with international partners.

    Mining of Non-Ferrous Metals

    In terms of non-ferrous metals, Kazakhstan witnessed positive developments, with production of copper and zinc ores growing by 7.4% and 15.9%, respectively. The production of refined copper rose by 11.6%, while zinc output also saw a slight increase. Meanwhile, silver production continued to decline, which is expected to continue due to the diminishing quality of ore.

    The mining of iron ore experienced growth, with a 20.2% increase, bringing the total output to 57.21 million tonnes. Notably, production of iron ore pellets also showed positive trends.

    Precious Metals

    Kazakhstan’s precious metal mining sector remained relatively stable, with gold production seeing a small increase of 0.09% compared to 2023. The country produced 132.32 tonnes of raw and semi-processed gold. Gold extraction is expected to grow in the coming years, with new mining projects in development, including those at Bakhtai, Sarymbet, and Novoleninogorsk.

    Despite this, silver mining saw a sharp decline, falling by 18.5% as companies reported decreasing yields. The primary reasons for this downturn are lower ore content and reduced demand for silver.

    Challenges for the Extractive Sector

    Kazakhstan’s extractive sector faced several key challenges in 2024, many of which stemmed from global trends and domestic issues. While some sectors, such as copper and gold, showed positive growth, others, like coal and silver, faced significant obstacles.

    One of the primary concerns for the coal sector was logistical issues caused by trade disruptions with Russia, as well as fluctuating global prices. Additionally, the push for greener energy alternatives has placed pressure on traditional coal industries, creating an uncertain future.

    Despite these challenges, the extractive industry remains a vital part of Kazakhstan’s economy, accounting for a significant portion of national revenue. Moving into 2025, the sector is expected to focus on innovation and international collaboration to overcome these obstacles and drive growth across the country’s resource industries.