The shutdown at the Chervonohrad Central Processing Plant is hurting state-owned mines
The Chervonohrad Coal Preparation Plant has been out of operation for eight months, and this is directly affecting the state-owned mines in the Lviv-Volyn Coal Basin. Due to the plant’s shutdown, it is more difficult for the mines to sell the coal they extract; consequently, they are losing revenue and becoming increasingly dependent on state support. This was stated by People’s Deputy Mykhailo Bondar.
The Chervonohrad Central Coal Preparation Plant plays a vital role in the operations of local mines. The coal mined there must be processed before it can be used at thermal power plants. Simply put, after extraction, the fuel must be prepared for further use. This is precisely what the processing plant does.
When the plant is not operating, it is more difficult for the mines to sell their products. The mined coal effectively has no normal route to the consumer, and this immediately affects the financial condition of the enterprises.
According to Bondar, the problem has been ongoing for about eight months. “So these eight months are essentially downtime for these mines. Because the plant isn’t operating, it’s precisely causing this decline that’s taking place,” the deputy stated.
Mines Are Losing Their Own Revenue
Due to problems with coal sales, state-owned mines are earning less money from their core operations. As a result, the enterprises are forced to rely more heavily on funds from the state budget. Bondar emphasized that this also affects mine workers. According to him, people are effectively unable to receive full wages from the proceeds of the mined coal.
“People aren’t receiving wages from the sale of their products; they’re essentially receiving only this state support that comes from the government. Consequently, there are no funds for the ongoing, day-to-day operations of these mines,” the MP noted. In other words, the problem extends beyond the mine itself. Its prolonged downtime creates difficulties for the entire supply chain—from coal extraction to its sale and use.
For the mines, this means fewer revenues of their own and greater dependence on state aid. If the situation persists, the enterprises’ financial problems may worsen.
Time is running out before winter
The issue with the Chervonohrad Coal Preparation Plant’s operations is also significant for the country’s preparations for the heating season. Ukrainian mines must ensure the extraction of coal that can be used to generate electricity at thermal power plants. Earlier, Viktoria Hryb, a member of parliament and chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s Subcommittee on Energy Security, also stated that without the Chervonohrad Coal Preparation Plant, it is more difficult for mines to ship the coal they have extracted.
According to her, this is causing Ukraine to lose precious time that could be used to build up fuel reserves ahead of winter. Thus, the plant’s prolonged shutdown creates several problems at once: mines face greater difficulty selling coal, companies are losing revenue, and workers and the industry itself are becoming increasingly dependent on state support.
As preparations for the new heating season get underway, the issue of resuming operations at the Chervonohrad Coal Preparation Plant remains crucial not only for the mines themselves but also for the stability of Ukraine’s coal and energy sectors. This was stated by People’s Deputy Mykhailo Bondar.
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