Last Slovak coal mines to close in 2023

Lignite mining in the Slovak Upper Nitra region is coming to an end as the last two coal mines will close by the end of 2023 following the government’s plans to stop subsidies for domestic mining.

Subsidies should have previously ended in 2030, but in 2018, the government decided on 2023 as the end date. According to spokeswoman Adriana Siváková from the company operating the mines, enough reserves to last for several decades are still untouched in the area.

Mines are owned by the mining company Hornonitrianske bane a.s., which can theoretically continue in mining without the subsidies as mining itself is not prohibited, but the company ruled this out.

The end of coal mining will have huge consequences for the employees and the region. In 2018, around 4.000 people worked in the mines. “As of December 1, 2022, we have less than half, 1,903 employees, of which 1,068 are coal miners,” Siváková informed.

Most of them will lose their jobs by the year’s end or early 2024. The company will only keep several dozen employees for further processes related to the liquidation of mining operations and revitalisation of the area.

Hornonitrianske bane with the support of the government previously rolled out requalification programmes meant to help employees to find new jobs.

By the end of the year, the coal-fired power plant Nováky will close as well. Nováky power plant has been the main source of heat for the Upper Nitra citizens. From next year, heat will be primarily made from renewable sources – a combination of biomass and solar panels.

(Michal Hudec | EURACTIV.sk)

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