Czechia’s last deep coal mine will close its gates on January 31, 2026, ending 250+ years of underground mining that fueled Central Europe’s industrial revolution. The CSM mine in Stonava, near Poland, is hauling its final tons this month as low global prices and Europe’s green transition render the costly operation unsustainable.
End of an Era
Miners like Grzegorz Sobolewski are saying goodbye to the kilometer-deep shafts they’ve worked for years. 'It’s hard but good work,' Sobolewski told NewspaperAmigo.com, while colleagues shouted over roaring machinery soon to fall silent. Many workers now eye jobs in Poland, where mines remain open.
Why Now?
State-owned OKD had planned to shut CSM in 2023, but Russia’s 2022 conflict with Ukraine spiked energy demand, buying a temporary reprieve. Now, with coal prices low and extraction costs soaring, director Roman Sikora says the mine’s depth became its 'weakness.'
Industrial Heartland’s Next Chapter
The Ostrava region transformed from Habsburg-era farmland to a steel-and-railway powerhouse thanks to coal. Investors like the Rothschilds bankrolled its rise, but today’s challenge is reinventing a post-coal future. Can this historic hub pivot to renewables? 🔄⚡
