Coal mining decline in Czechia accelerates, with output down a fifth so far this year

Coal mining in the Czech Republic has continued to fall sharply this year. By the end of August, a total of 15.3 million tonnes of lignite and hard coal had been mined in the country, down a fifth year on year. Production was traditionally driven mainly by lignite mining, which accounted for 95 percent of the coal extracted. Coke production also fell. This is according to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO).

This continues last year’s decline in mining, when the volume of coal extracted fell by 15 percent compared with 2022. However, the year before last was heavily influenced by the energy crisis and greater use of coal in power plants. This year, the gradual decline in mining—linked to the government’s plan to move away from burning coal in power and heating plants after 2030—is accelerating.

In the first eight months of the year, miners produced 809,000 tonnes of hard coal, which now accounts for only a small share of total coal production in Czechia. That was almost 10 percent less year on year. More than half, specifically 445,000 tonnes, was coal intended for energy use. More than 364,000 tonnes of coking coal was produced; it can be used to make coke, which is then used, for example, in the production of pig iron.

The last active mine still operating in Czechia is ČSM in the Karviná region. It was originally due to operate only until mid-2023, but under current plans by state-owned company OKD, mining is expected to continue until around mid-2026.

Along with the decline in hard coal mining, coke production also fell. By the end of August, it stood at 952,000 tonnes, almost 30 percent lower than last year.

More than 14.5 million tonnes of lignite had been mined so far, nearly 20 percent less year on year. The vast majority was used as industrial coal. Czechia’s key lignite deposits are in the foothills of the Ore Mountains, around Most, Chomutov and Teplice. The most significant sites are the ČSA and Bílina mines. Lignite mining also continues in the Sokolov region.