Damage in "Šikulje" mine exceeds 25 million KM, water pumps urgently needed

We have been pumping water out of the mine for 15 days, but we haven't even reached the halfway point – Enver Omazić, director of the "Kreka" mine from Tuzla, said in a statement to the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

– We are currently working with seven pumps, but that is not enough. There are still more than 20 million cubic meters of water down there. We are asking anyone who can help us pump out the water from the mine as soon as possible to help us – Omazić appeals.

The "Kreka" mine, or rather its "Šikulje" mine, is the economic entity that suffered the greatest damage in the country during the devastating floods in BiH. According to expert estimates, the direct damage to the machinery that remained underwater exceeds 25 million KM, while the damage due to the suspension of production will also be greater than 25 million KM.

– This mine employs more than 800 people. Some of them are now on annual leave, some have been reassigned, and some have been sent to wait – Omazić said. The coal excavation plan they planned to achieve by New Year will not be possible now, which will bring major problems to this mine.

– Our partners with whom we work have offered us some assistance, Elektroprivreda BiH as well, but this is enormous damage and we will need much greater support to stabilize the situation – Omazić told Patria.