A major coal mine in Pokrovsk, which provides coking coal that is essential for Ukraine’s steel industry, is still operational, an industry source said on Friday, as Russian troops close in.
Russian Troops Closing In Quickly
According to DeepState, a group of Ukrainian military analysts, the Russian forces were less than 7 km from the outskirts of Pokrovsk. The mine is situated 10 km west of the town, far from the advancing troops. “The mine continues to operate at the same volume as in recent weeks,” said an anonymous source.
The owner, metallurgical group Metinvest, may face hard decisions on whether to continue operations or evacuate the staff, though it’s not yet clear when this might happen. The mandatory evacuation of Pokrovsk’s civilians began on September 24, with about 11,500 people still in the town as of December 2.
Effects on Ukraine’s Steel Production
In October, the Ukrainian steelmakers union issued a warning that potential closure of the Pokrovsk mine could reduce the production of steel to as low as 2-3 million metric tons by the year 2025 down from a projected 7.5 million in 2024. Measures are underway for alternatives on sources within the country. Imports would attract extra cost.
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