Ukrainian steelmaker Metinvest suspends coal mining in Pokrovsk: employees evacuated
Pravda Ukraine
Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group, the largest steel producer in Ukraine, is suspending the operations of the Pokrovske Coal Company (Pokrovske coal mine and Svyato-Varvarinskaya enrichment factory) due to the approaching front line, electricity shortages and the deteriorating security situation.
Source: Metinvest’s press service
Quote: “Pokrovske Coal is the energy heart of the Ukrainian steel industry, providing a large part of export revenues to the Ukrainian budget. However, with the situation worsening every day, we cannot risk the safety of our thousands of employees and the lives of their families and children. Therefore the suspension of the company’s operations is a necessary step that will help save lives.
We believe in the victory of Ukraine, we believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and we are ready to resume the work of Pokrovske Coal and Pokrovsk itself after repelling the Russian invasion,” said Yurii Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest.
Details: It is noted that the mine’s employees and their families were evacuated, and the company provided them with free accommodation in its own residential facilities. For employees not involved in the suspension, the group offers retraining and employment opportunities at Metinvest’s assets in Zaporizhzhia, Kamianske and Kryvyi Rih.
“In connection with the suspension of Pokrovske Coal’s operations, Metinvest’s management has developed a contingency plan to ensure the supply of the necessary raw materials (coal and coke) for steel production at the group’s metallurgical assets (Kametstal and the Zaporizhstal joint venture),” the statement said.
In particular, the measures include the replacement of Ukrainian raw materials with coking coal from the American United Coal Company (part of Metinvest Group), the use of increased coal reserves, and the provision of additional coal and coke supplies from third-party suppliers.
Background: In December 2024, Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group suspended operations at its coal mining site in the settlement of Pishchane near the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast.
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