Coal has not yet had its last word: Lignite mining in Czechia rises

Coal mining at domestic lignite mines is rising this year despite planned future phase-outs. A total of 13,04 million tonnes of lignite was extracted in the first half of the year, nearly four percent more year on year. By contrast, hard coal mining has definitively ended, with the last mine in the Karviná region closing at the beginning of February. This follows from statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO).

According to experts, the increased mining is linked to rising gas and electricity prices on the energy market following the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East this spring. Information from producers also confirms this. For example, ČEZ increased electricity generation at its coal-fired power plants during the year, as higher realised electricity prices improved their profitability. Sev.en Group has also indicated that generation from coal at the Počerady and Chvaletice power plants could be extended in light of developments on the energy market. The energy group, owned by billionaire Pavel Tykač, had originally planned to end their operation around the turn of this year and next year.

Most of the extracted lignite was used for industrial purposes, accounting for 95 percent of the mineral mined. The remainder consisted of graded coal, intended mainly for small consumers such as households or smaller district heating plants.

After more than 200 years, hard coal mining has ended in Czechia. The last mine cart carrying coal emerged from the country’s last hard coal mine, ČSM in Stonava in the Karviná region, on 4 February this year. In January, miners there still extracted 54.000 tonnes of coal, 70 percent more year on year. Hard coal production totalled 1,28 million tonnes for the whole of last year.

Even after mining has ended, billions of tonnes of unmined hard coal remain in Silesia, but experts say extracting them would be exceptionally challenging both technically and economically.

Only lignite is now mined in Czechia, extracted by surface mining at several mines in north-western Bohemia. Under current plans, this mining is also expected to end in a few years. However, energy companies have acknowledged in recent months that current market developments could slightly extend the use of coal.