The reform of the state coalmines, enshrined in the national energy strategy, is aimed at modernizing the coal mines and providing the state with its own coal, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said during an hour of questions to the government at the Verkhovna Rada.
“We are the country that must provide itself with all the components, including coal. Our task is to stop importing coal, but this takes time. Private coalmines extract coal at a normal cost price. Meanwhile, workers at the abandoned state coalmines, which are not modernized, do not have the protection equipment,” Groysman said.
The head of government stressed that the state should invest in the modernization of coalmines and the safety of miners and also consider the possibility of selling mines and attracting new owners to coal enterprises.
“We need to learn how to extract gas by ourselves, extract coal, increase capacities, do everything to become the exporter of energy resources,” Groysman said. (Ukrinform/Ukrainian metal)