Metinvest launches new coal face in Pokrovsk

It is expected that the development of lava reserves will last more than a year

On February 21, Pokrovske Coal Group, a part of Metinvest Group, commissioned the 11th longwall for coking coal production in the 10th block of Pokrovske Mining Group. The company said in a statement.

Despite the difficult mining and geological conditions, the 11th longwall with a length of 242 meters is one of the most promising areas of work. Its reserves amount to 993 thousand tons of coal. The miners plan to produce up to 2.5 thousand tons of coal per day from this face. It is expected that the longwall reserves will take more than a year to be depleted.

The launch of the new longwall is a significant event for the region and the country, the company says. Pokrovske Coal Group’s enterprises operating near the frontline provide jobs for the region’s residents and IDPs, develop local communities, pay taxes and support the national economy.

«People will be provided with jobs and salaries, which is very important for the teams that produce in the frontline region. In addition, this is a significant contribution to maintaining Ukraine’s defense capabilities and replenishing budgets at all levels,» said Andriy Akulich, CEO of Metinvest Pokrovskvugillia.

Since the beginning of this year, Metinvest’s enterprises in Ukraine have mined about 698 thousand tons of coal, from which almost 373 thousand tons of concentrate were produced. By the end of 2024, the Group plans to mine 5.3 million tons of coal, produce 2.8 million tons of concentrate and commission two more longwall faces.

As GMK Center reported earlier, Pokrovske Mine Administration is currently constructing the 11th coal production unit, which is scheduled to be commissioned in 2025. This is the largest investment project in the coal industry since Ukraine’s independence.

Also, in 2023, Metinvest Pokrovskugol produced 3.1 million tons of coal concentrate and sank 20 km of mine workings.