Coal production at “Radljevo” open-pit mine to begin in second half of October

Production of the first coal using the continuous system at the newest open-pit mine in the “Kolubara” Mining Basin is expected to begin in the second half of October, stated Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, Minister of Mining and Energy in the Government of the Republic of Serbia (serving in a caretaker capacity), during a visit to the “Radljevo” open-pit mine.

She noted that a new spreader had been operating at “Radljevo” since June and that the assembly of a second excavator, which would have the largest capacity at the mine, had been completed several days before.

– We expect it to produce approximately 100,000 tons of coal during October alone, once it moves to its new position, after which a significant increase in production is planned – the minister said.

– Once the excavator arrives at the pit, the first BTO system will be reinforced, as the other equipment is already operational. By the end of the year, the second mining system should also be up and running, thereby creating the conditions for the mine to operate at full capacity – Djedovic Handanovic explained.

The minister emphasized that the plan was for annual coal production at this mine to reach seven million tons, with overburden removal ranging between 16 and 19 million cubic meters, which would ensure greater security for the electric power system in the future.

Djedovic Handanovic emphasized that investments in new mining equipment clearly indicated that there were no plans to reduce coal production and that, rather, the goal was to increase it, thereby ensuring the conditions for the stable operation of EPS thermal power plants.

– It is important to send a clear message to all employees that there are no plans whatsoever to reduce coal production. On the contrary, we plan to increase it, and consequently boost the output of our thermal power plants, which are equipped with desulfurization systems – the minister said, according to the official government portal.

After touring the mine, Djedovic Handanovic met with residents of the Radljevo local community in the municipality of Ub to discuss the expropriation process.

She pointed out that EPS had allocated over 400 million dinars for expropriation related to the “Radljevo” mine this year and that it was also dedicating significant funds to infrastructure and other projects that improve the quality of life for all residents of Ub, the municipality where the mine is located.

The meeting also highlighted that once active coal extraction began at “Radljevo”, scheduled for October 15, the municipality of Ub would generate significant revenue from resource usage fees.

Government of Serbia

Ministry of Mining and Energy

Municipality of Ub

EPS

Elektroprivreda Srbije

Kolubara Mining Basin

Dubravka Đedović Handanović

coal exploitation at Radljevo open pit mine

coal production

land expropriation