PM Groysman: Coal Industry Ministry should seek resources to boost coal production

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said this, commenting on results of the government meeting with participation of the leadership of the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry and the Finance Ministry, the Government portal reports.

"Until September 1, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry and the Minister personally [Ihor Nasalyk] should focus on seeking financial resources to boost production and ensure the proper activity of the industry... I am ready to help to assert our energy independence," Groysman said.

Currently, there are 102 state-owned coal mines in Ukraine, but the overwhelming majority is located in the Joint Forces Operation area in Donbas. Only 33 mines operate outside the JFO area. Of these, only four mines are profitable. During the first five months of 2018, 1.852,900 tons of coal were extracted, which is 3.6% less than planned volume and 7.6% less than over corresponding period in 2017. At the same time, the product cost grew by more than 30.5% compared to last year.

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