Coal mining in Czechia rises despite planned phase-out, up nearly a tenth in first half

Coal mining in Czechia is rising this year despite a planned future phase-out. In the first half of the year, companies mined nearly 13.2 million tonnes of lignite and hard coal, a tenth more than in the same period last year. Output was traditionally driven primarily by lignite mining, which accounted for more than 95 percent of the mineral extracted. This follows from statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO). In previous years, mining had instead fallen sharply.

More than 25 million tonnes of lignite and hard coal were mined in Czech mines over the whole of last year, nearly 17 percent less year on year. The decline was mainly linked to the planned shift away from burning coal and towards other sources.

Nearly 12.55 million tonnes of lignite were mined in the first half of the year, nearly ten percent more year on year. The overwhelming 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 open-cast mines. Lignite mining also continues in the Sokolov region.

Miners extracted 614,000 tonnes of hard coal in the first six months of the year, nearly seven percent less year on year. Hard coal now accounts for only a small share of total mining in Czechia. A significant majority, specifically 415,000 tonnes, was coking coal, which can be used to produce coke and subsequently, for example, pig iron. There was a marked decline in hard coal used for energy purposes.

The last operating hard coal mine in Czechia is the ČSM mine in the Karviná region. Mining there will also soon end permanently. OKD plans to extract the last longwall panels in the first quarter of 2026. Under the original plans, mining was to end in 2022, but the closure date was subsequently postponed several times.

Along with the decline in hard coal mining, coke production also fell. It totalled 685,000 tonnes in the first half of the year, four percent less than last year.

Energy companies in Czechia have not yet made final decisions on shutting down their coal-fired power plants. However, experts say this can be expected in the coming years. For example, ČEZ said in recent months that it would decide on the closure of coal-fired assets on a year-by-year basis. Vice-chairman of the board Pavel Cyrani told shareholders this in June. According to him, developments in exchange prices and emissions allowances will be crucial. Based on current developments, Cyrani said it can be estimated that electricity generation from coal will cease to be profitable around 2028. However, he added that this estimate could still change at any time.

Looking ahead, the state expects to build the Czech energy mix around nuclear and renewable sources. However, these will first need to be built. Until then, gas is expected to serve as the main transitional fuel.