Deep underground in northeastern Czech Republic, workers in the region’s last-functioning coal mine drill, load, and haul the fuel up to the surface. The CSM mine is part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, a region with a 250-year history of mining due to its rich coal deposits and factories that produce steel and energy.
With just the light of a headlamp, workers, covered in soot and dust, navigate the mines, drilling deposits underground. Others load cars to transport rocks to the surface, where massive piles await transportation to power plants. Despite the efficiency of the operation, a 2021 study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health identified the regional capital of Ostrava and nearby towns as among the top 10 most polluted European cities.
The burning of coal for energy contributes to carbon dioxide emissions, affecting global weather patterns and contributing to climate change. Some workers in the mine wore face masks for protection, although the masks themselves were also covered in grime. An energy crunch two years ago led to the government reversing plans to halt mining due to the EU’s ban on Russian coal over the conflict in Ukraine.
Coal-fired power plants in Czechia generate approximately 40% of the country’s electricity, three times more than the EU’s average. The state-owned company OKD has extended mining activities in the CSM mine, keeping 3,500 employees working on excavating coal until early 2026. The Czech government aims to phase out coal in energy production by 2033, shifting towards nuclear power and renewable sources.
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Overall, the Czech coal mine’s operations shed light on the challenges faced by regions reliant on coal for energy production as they navigate the transition towards more sustainable energy sources in the face of climate change concerns.