RMU Soko preparing to renew underground coal exploitation – Two tenders refer to pit-based production

Three years after the accident in which eight miners died, the Soko brown coal mine near Sokobanja is preparing for the resumption of underground coal mining, which was interrupted at the time.

Let us remind that a little less than a year after the tragedy in April 2022, the cause of which was the explosion of methane and the collapse of the pit, surface mining of coal at the replacement mine was started in RMU Soko.

The competent minister, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, stated at the time that “the conditions for resuming production in underground exploitation are being considered.”

Resumption of pit-based production is now undoubtedly on the way, as can be concluded from the recently announced tenders.

Namely, JP PEU Resavica, within which RMU Soko operates, announced last Wednesday two public procurement procedures related to underground exploitation - public procurement of technical control of the technical mining project for the reconstruction of the compressor plant of the pit in this mine, and for testing the technical characteristics of the steel pit lining (the pit lining helps to establish a balance in the massif).

Both tenders have already expired (the deadline was March 7), and the winner for the first one was chosen today – Rudarski institut doo Beograd, which will be paid 360,000 dinars including the VAT for the job.

As can be seen from the explanation, Rudarski institut was chosen even though it had a slightly more expensive offer than the other bidder, Institut za rudarstvo i metalurgiju Bor, but it is said that it was chosen because of a more acceptable method of payment.

It is also added that the Rudarski institut doo Beograd prepared the Additional Mining Project for operational safety and collective protection of workers for field 99 RMU Soko, and that it is the most familiar with the project.

eKapija also received an unofficial confirmation from RMU Soko itself that the initiation of underground exploitation is “being planned,” but we could not talk to the management, because everyone, as we were told, is “in the pit.”

By the way, after the accident, it was discovered that there was no solution for the mining works on the exploitation field 99 Soko. The Ministry’s decision, as stated on the website of JP PEU Resavica, was obtained subsequently, in November 2023.

B. P.

JP PEU Resavica

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

Rudarski institut d.o.o. Beograd

Institut za rudarstvo i metalurgiju Bor

JP PEU Resavica

RMU Soko

Ministry of Mining and Energy

Rudarski institut doo Beograd

Institut za rudarstvo i metalurgiju Bor

accident

miners death

underground exploitation of brown coal

pit based production of coal

open pit mine

testing pit lining

technical control of reconstruction of compressor plant of the pit