Gov’t restructuring plan set to close 4-5 coal mines – paper

The government is preparing a restructuring program for the coal mining industry aimed at improving its poor condition, according to sources cited by daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. As many as four or five mines are to be closed. Another four or five mines will be transferred to the Treasury-owned Spółka Restructuryzacji Kopalń (SRK) with the aim of restructuring them into profit-making businesses. Over the first three quarters of 2014, the mining industry suffered losses of over PLN 500 million. Poland currently has some 30 operating mines, 14 of which are held by Kompania Węglowa. The industry employs some 100,000 miners. The restructuring process is set to cut some 4,000-5,000 jobs, the paper reported.