( 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
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