The Czech Republic has reversed plans to halt mining in a key black coal region to help the country safeguard its power supply amid high demand, reported Reuters.
State-owned OKD will continue its mining activities in the Ostrava-Karviná coal district in northeastern Czech Republic through the end of the year with a possible extension until 2025, according to Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura.
The decision, Reuters said, came after the European Union agreed to ban Russian coal starting in August over the war in Ukraine and as it works to reduce the bloc’s energy ties to Russia.
The Czech government said it aims to phase out coal in energy production by 2033 while increasing the country’s reliance on nuclear power.
Source: Reuters