UAH 1.4 billion will be allocated for salaries of miners by the end of the year

The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine informs that the State Budget plans to provide for another UAH 1.4 billion to pay salaries to miners by the end of the year and pay off the debt that has arisen since September. These funds should come from mandatory payments of NJSC Naftogaz and JSC Ukrnafta – the corresponding draft law (register No.4119) was adopted on November 4 in the first reading by the MPs.

In the summer, the Ministry of Energy paid off the current wage arrears to the miners, which arose this year due to the forced downtime of coal mining enterprises, and also ensured the payment of wages.

The ministry noted that the COVID-19 fund was not used to pay off debts to miners.

Let us remind you that the Ministry of Energy has already completed the preparation of the draft Concept for reforming the coal industry, which aims to optimize state budget expenditures. The concept provides for the division of mines into three groups. The first group is mines that are subject to integration with PJSC Centrenergo and are its resource base. The second is dual-use mines, the sale of which is not limited solely to thermal generations. The third group of mines will be offered for privatization not only as coal mining enterprises but also as integral property complexes that can be used for other economic activities.

As part of the preparation of the Concept, the Ministry of Energy is studying the experience of Germany in transforming coal mono-cities into modern innovation centers.

The Ministry of Energy, together with international partners, plans to launch pilot projects to transform mines. The following options are currently being considered: the Velykomostovska mine, which is located in the west of the country, in the city of Chervonohrad, and has the potential to become a powerful tourist cluster, as well as the 5/6 mine, located in the east in Myrnohrad, and has the potential of a technological cluster.

As reported, Germany was ready to provide €20 million in a multi-fund for reforming the coal industry in Ukraine.