WEEKEND THEME - END OF MINING IN ISTRIA

( Editorial: --> 6682 ) LABIN, 23 Jan (Hina) - After nearly four centuries of mining in Istria, during which close to 40 million tonnes of coal was excavated, at the end of this year the last remaining coal mine in Istria will close down. According to the director of the Istrian coal mine Tupljak, Veljko Karabic, the excavation of coal from the Istrian underground is no longer economically viable and because of its high sulphur content the coal no longer meets ecological standards. Mining in Labin boomed during this century with the record year being 1942 when under Italian administration (1.2 million tonnes excavated). After WWII Istrian coal mines collectively dug out 24 million tonnes of coal, the peak extraction period being from the mid-1950s to mid-1960s when the yearly average was between 750 and 850 tonnes. The decision to close the Istrian coal mines was made by the Croatian government back in 1990. The mines were supposed to close within three years. However, because Istrian coal had to replace the shortage of imported coal and petroleum during the military aggression on Croatia, the decision to close the mines was postponed. The final deadline for closing the Istrian coal mine Tupljak is October 1998. The remaining 340 workers will be granted enough working years to claim the old age pension, disabled workers will receive social security from an authorised fund, and nearly 120 will find work in one of four new companies (accounting, electronic service, explosives and mushroom growing). From 1 January this year Croatian Power Industry (HEP) took over control of the company. Some workers will be employed by Thermoelectric power plant Plomin II. HEP has secured favourable credit for employers who take on workers from the mine. (hina) mm mrb 251455 MET jan 98