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Intensive mining for brown coal in the Most region began in the second half of the 19th century. In the first decades, underground mining was applied. In 1901 surface mining began and was intensified after the Second World War, when the national strategy was to extend heavy industry production. After 1989 brown coal mining was reduced from 87 million tonnes to 67 million tonnes in 1993<ref>http://www.cez.cz/edee/content/file/static/encyklopedie/encyklopedie-energetiky/02/uhli_4.html</ref>. <br>In 1998 Mostecká Uhelná the state mining company operating in the Most region, was privatized. Recently renamed to Czech Coal, the company continues with its activities within the given mining limits. | Intensive mining for brown coal in the Most region began in the second half of the 19th century. In the first decades, underground mining was applied. In 1901 surface mining began and was intensified after the Second World War, when the national strategy was to extend heavy industry production. After 1989 brown coal mining was reduced from 87 million tonnes to 67 million tonnes in 1993<ref>http://www.cez.cz/edee/content/file/static/encyklopedie/encyklopedie-energetiky/02/uhli_4.html</ref>. <br>In 1998 Mostecká Uhelná the state mining company operating in the Most region, was privatized. Recently renamed to Czech Coal, the company continues with its activities within the given mining limits. | ||
Czech Coal operates in two mines in the North Bohemian Coal Basin– ČSA and Vršany. Vršany will provide an annual amount of | Czech Coal operates in two mines in the North Bohemian Coal Basin– ČSA and Vršany. Vršany will provide an annual amount of 7million tonnes of brown coal till 2052, then it will be closed down. In the ČSA mine the available reserves contain 305 million tonnes of brown coal. More than 4,5 million tonnes were extracted here in 2010, however in 2012 the amount should be reduced by 50% as the company aims to live on the reserves till 2021. | ||
Brown coal reserves located next to ČSA beyond the current mining limits are the biggest in the country: they are estimated to 925 million tonnes, which makesUsti nad Labem Region an attractive long-term investment opportunity and has the potential to become a very important location for the European energy generation. To decrease the EU’s dependency on energy imports, which are already today approximately 50% of energy raw materials, it is absolutely essential to keep up the regional mining activities and to consider the possibility of exceeding the mining limits: the growing lack of energy generation sources in Europe are alarming and it would be absolutely irresponsible to give up this region’s mineral wealth and not to use it to support extensive sustainable development or even reconstruction of the region. Moreover, the Czech energy sector relies on coal and would be even able to export energy, which would generate income and strengthen the economical position of the country. | Brown coal reserves located next to ČSA beyond the current mining limits are the biggest in the country: they are estimated to 925 million tonnes, which makesUsti nad Labem Region an attractive long-term investment opportunity and has the potential to become a very important location for the European energy generation. To decrease the EU’s dependency on energy imports, which are already today approximately 50% of energy raw materials, it is absolutely essential to keep up the regional mining activities and to consider the possibility of exceeding the mining limits: the growing lack of energy generation sources in Europe are alarming and it would be absolutely irresponsible to give up this region’s mineral wealth and not to use it to support extensive sustainable development or even reconstruction of the region. Moreover, the Czech energy sector relies on coal and would be even able to export energy, which would generate income and strengthen the economical position of the country. | ||
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== The energy industry in Czech Republic == | == The energy industry in Czech Republic == |
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