Many have made promises and spoken about the future of Kolubara mines and Radljevo mine, but today we have tangible results. Despite numerous challenges and difficult circumstances, another powerful piece of mining equipment, the largest excavator, has begun its journey to the youngest Kolubara mine, and, at the same time, thanks to the new machinery at Radljevo, coal production from the continuous mining system is also commencing. The plan is to produce 100,000 tonnes of coal from this system by the end of the month, with output gradually increasing over time – said Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Mining and Energy in a caretaker capacity, at the start of the transport of the newest excavator from the assembly yard in Kalenić to its operating position at Radljevo open-cast mine.
She pointed out that the new “blue” excavator will operate within the first BTO overburden system, that the assembly of a second spreader for the same mine is currently under way, and that another new spreader has been in operation since the summer.
- All these projects confirm that energy security is built through strategic planning, responsible investment, and the knowledge and dedication of our employees – said Đedović Handanović.
According to her, investments in mining equipment are being matched, and will continue to be matched, by investments in people and the creation of new jobs.
- New excavators and spreaders also require new employees. In the recent period, 53 new workers have been hired at RB Kolubara, and another 50 will soon join the company. Furthermore, over the past month, 155 workers from Protent have been employed by EPS, in line with our transformation goal that all miners and other workers involved in the production of coal and electricity should be employed directly by Elektroprivreda Srbije – said Đedović Handanović.
The second spreader is expected to enter operation at the beginning of next year, giving Radljevo two new BTO systems capable of producing seven million tonnes of coal annually, while handling between 16 and 19 million cubic metres of overburden. Continuous and reliable coal production remains one of the cornerstones of the security of Serbian power system.
Dušan Živković, General Manager of Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), noted that the new excavator, worth EUR 35.5 million, will help strengthen domestic production capacities and enable more efficient coal extraction for the thermal power plants in Obrenovac.
- At a time of significant changes in the energy market, the resilience of the power system depends on our ability to secure reliable domestic energy sources, enhance generation capacities, and invest in their modernization in a timely manner. For this reason, the development of Radljevo mine is far more than a mining project, it is an investment in the security, stability, and resilience of Serbian power system – said Živković.
Also today, upon completion of its assembly, a new self-propelled conveyor began its journey from the assembly yard in Vreoci to its operating position at Field E open-cast mine.
