The European Commission has authorized Romania to use approximately €270m of public funding in order to close down three uncompetitive coals mines owned by the National Hard Coal Company JSC Petrosani (CNH SA).
CNH is a publicly-owned company and the only coal producer in Romania which operates seven mines. However, Romania has decided to close Petrila Colliery by end of 2015. The other two mines, the Uricani and Paroseni Collieries, should see their activity cease by the end of 2017. Romania intends to close the mines in order to decrease the overall amount of aid granted to cover production costs. The country will also seek to mitigate the environmental impact of coal production. Those workers losing their jobs will be assisted in finding jobs outside the mining industry.
