Poland will shut 12 coal mines for three weeks after a coronavirus outbreak Zofiowka coking coal mine operated by JSW, state assets minister Jacek Sasin said on Monday. Sasin said the temporary shutdown would affect two JSW's mines and ten PGG's mines. All miners will be paid fully during the halt, Sasin added.
Deliveries to customers will also be unaffected. Producers and state-controlled utilities reportedly have high inventory levels currently. Poland generates about half of its electricity by burning hard coal.
Coal mines have become the epicentres of COVID-19 outbreak in Poland. JSW's 8,000 tons/day Zofiowka mine has a total case number of 1,148, while its 12,200 tons/day has 1,587 of COVID-19 cases. As of June 8, 5,000 miners have contracted COVID-19.
