Czech environment ministry presents new reclamation plan for ČSA mine to government

The Ministry of the Environment is proposing a new approach to reclaiming the ČSA mine in the Most region. Coal mining is expected to end at the turn of 2025 and 2026. Under the proposal, part of the area would be left to nature, a body of water would be created, and part would be used for energy production. The water body would be much smaller than originally planned, Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) told the Czech News Agency (ČTK) today in Litvínov, in the Most region. If the government approves the proposal, it will assign tasks to the environment and industry ministries, he added. The government is expected to consider the proposal today.

The mining authority would determine the difference in cost between the original reclamation plan and the new, less expensive one. „The mining company would pay the difference into the State Environmental Fund to support nature restoration and other projects. The company would have to transfer the funds before the reclamation plan could be amended,“ Hladík said.