RiTE Gacko offline due to malfunction, Ugljevik to halt operations due to coal shortage

(Patria) - Gacko Mine and Thermal Power Plant (RiTE Gacko) went offline this morning, and RiTE Ugljevik will halt operations tomorrow due to a lack of coal.

The director of RiTE Gacko, Maksim Skoko, confirmed to Capital that the company went offline due to a minor malfunction in the coal supply system to the boiler plant.

- The malfunction occurred as a consequence of bad weather, but we will return to operation and resume work during the day - Skoko said today.

Unlike Gacko, RiTE Ugljevik is facing serious problems due to a lack of coal.

One of the mine workers told Capital that they have been digging in the rain and difficult conditions for several days.

- The thermal power plant could stop at any moment due to a lack of coal. There is not enough coal in the depot for even half a working day. On Monday, there were about 2,000 tons in the depot, which is not enough for even eight working hours.

Over the weekend, we only had enough for the first shift, meaning the small amounts of coal we sent from the mine went directly to the thermal power plant - said the worker, who insisted on anonymity.

He added that the miners have not yet entered the "Ugljevik-Istok 2" field, even though the Government of Republika Srpska has already paid 180 million KM to the company "Comsar" owned by Russian oligarch Rashid Sardarov, out of a total of 240 million KM that the takeover of the company "Comsar energy Rs" and the concession for coal exploitation in that field will cost.