Czechia's last deep coal mine, the ČSM shaft in Stonava, is set to close by the end of January 2026, marking the end of more than 250 years of deep mining in the country (Reuters, 16/01/2026). The mine is operated by the state-owned company OKD.
The director of OKD, explained that the mine's depth had become a liability: "Global coal prices are low, while our mining costs continue to rise with increasing depths." Falling coal prices, combined with Europe's ongoing industrial and environmental transition, have diminished demand. To support regional redevelopment and decarbonization, the European Union’s Just Transition Fund will allocate US$908m.
OKD plans to remain active in coal trading and pursue new ventures, including the development of a battery park, a data center, and a small methane-fueled power plant using gas extracted from the old shafts.
Coal and lignite production in the country has been in decline since 2000, dropping from 65 Mt to 25 Mt in 2024. In 2024, coal represented 36% of electricity generation. In 2022, the government decided to accelerate the phase-out of coal to 2033, with a greater reliance on nuclear energy (Enerdata Global Energy Research)