Kolubara mining basin is the heart of energy system and Serbian economy, and the newly opened Radljevo-Sever open cast mine shall secure coal for the next 60 years – said Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, the President of the Republic of Serbia, during his visit to the new mine of the Electric Power Industry of Serbia Branch. – Thank you to all miners, there are 14,300 people working in Kolubara while it rains, shines and snows. You always have to work. Everyone knows your bread is hard-earned and what great risks you are facing.
Mr. Vučić said that miners have safe jobs, that there would be no dismissals nor salaries reductions, but that on the contrary, if the country was successful, there would be another salaries increase. Mr. Vučić said overburden removal at Radljevo-Sever mine had been in progress since October 2019 and he announced that the first coal would be excavated in 2022.
- Almost EUR 500 million shall be invested in this mine, which shall provide for approximately 13 or 13.5 million tons of coal annually – said Mr. Vučić at the meeting with the miners of Kolubara MB, also attended by Mr. Milorad Grčić, acting director of Electric Power Industry of Serbia.
The President of Serbia explained that we all use electricity, but no one wonders who is behind it all. He emphasized he was proud of the miners since no problems occurred during this last crisis with corona virus.
Mr. Vučić expects that the miners will have even better material conditions and greater income in the upcoming period and he adds that it is all possible due to responsible financial politics.
- A lot of money will be invested in Electric Power Industry of Serbia and we will overcome many problems together. So please know that Serbia will invest, Serbia today has the money to rise our economy, to rise Electric Power Industry of Serbia and other public enterprises, and you can count on this state support at any moment – said Mr. Vučić. – A large and difficult task is ahead of us, and we need to begin this economic development of the country together and enthusiastically and to use all potentials. It shall not be an easy task, but it is an achievable task which depends on your energy, on your work and all we can accomplish together. I am certain we will be the best in Europe.
Mr. Vučić underlined that all international financial institutions said that Serbia would overcome the crisis more easily than other countries.
- The state will invest more in the roads, railway and will put even greater effort in building health centers, hospitals, clinical hospital centers, etc. Public investments cannot only save our economy but also help private sector come out of this situation. We want the people to see Serbia stands on its own two feet and to spread this type of optimism – said Mr. Vučić.
The Minister of Mining and Energy Mr. Aleksandar Antić stated that since the beginning of the year to that day, coal production had increased 5.3 percent comparing to the same period in the previous year, and that in April coal production was increased by 6% comparing to April in the previous year, despite the difficult operating conditions due to epidemic.
- In the conditions of epidemic and the state of emergency, mining and energy companies showed strength and stability and maintained regular coal production and electricity generation in difficult conditions and in the conditions of curfew – explained Mr. Antić. – Increased coal production in April secured energy stability of the country and I would like to thank miners for this success. They operated in three shifts in all energy and mining companies and, despite the state of emergency, great investment energy projects never stopped.
When talking about Radljevo-Sever mine, Mr. Antić stated that within the energy sector that mine had “strategic importance for Serbia" and was connected to the construction of the new unit of Kolubara B TPP in Kalenić. He said that the mining sector and energy companies would complete the current year with positive financial result comparing to 2019, which would contribute to the growth of GDP.
Minister of Finance Mr. Siniša Mali stated that Serbia would handle the crisis caused by Corona virus pandemic coming out as winner, which would not have been possible but for the effort and hard work and employees of Kolubara mining basin and EPS.
- Thanks to all the employees for their commitment and love to their country. We all need to be aware that the whole world is going through the greatest and toughest crisis ever – there are tens of millions of unemployed, economies going down and factories are closing. Such dark scenario has not happened in Serbia. We offered the right and extensive support measures to those who needed them the most – said Mr. Mali.
He also reminded that the state allocated EUR 5.1 billion for support, approximately 11% of GDP, because it accepted to carry the burden of the crisis at its back, since it could handle it, in order for the economy to survive.
Mr. Mali added that it could not have happened had it not been for the reforms initiated by Mr. Aleksandar Vučić in 2014, which led to the country having healthy and strong public finances and foreign exchange reserves.
