DONBASS MINERS
Coal mining has historically been an important industry in Ukraine. The Donbass (short for Donetsk Basin) region of eastern Ukraine has been known for its large deposits of anthracite and lignite coal since the late 19th century. Coal mining in Ukraine began in 1870. In 1913, Donetsk produced 87% of the Russian Empire's coal and 50% of the USSR's metallurgical coal. Coal was a vital part of the Soviet Union's industrial machine, providing the energy to power the heavy industries that dominated the Donbass region. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many of the industries associated with mining were hit hard, causing widespread unemployment.
The Donetsk Basin is the most developed and much larger coal mining region in the country. Until recently, Ukraine was the third largest coal producer in Europe. 90% of Ukraine's coal reserves are located in the Donetsk coalfield. At the same time, Donetsk coal mines are among the most dangerous in the world, due to the enormous working depths (from 300 to 1200 metres) as a result of natural exhaustion, as well as the high risk of methane explosions, coal dust explosions and cave-ins.
The "Hlyboka" coal mine is the deepest mine in Ukraine and the 5th deepest in the world. It has a depth of about 1,546 metres and is located in the town of Shakhtersk (Donetsk region). It was commissioned in 1986 and produces "A" grade coal (anthracite), the main consumers of which are thermal power stations. The coal is mined at a depth of almost 1400 metres. "Hlyboka is one of the largest coal deposits in Ukraine, with estimated reserves of 23.3 million tonnes. Annual coal production is around 647,000 tonnes, while many miners complain of old, outdated equipment and inadequate safety systems.
At the same time, illegal coal mining is a multi-million dollar shadow industry in Ukraine. Before the war, there were tens of thousands of workers in 2,500 illegal mines, known as "kopankas" or illegal pits, across Ukraine, mostly in the Donbass region. Illegal miners work hard, but for little pay and in very dangerous conditions. Such mines can be as deep as 300 metres. Miners say a team of three to four workers can extract an average of three to five tonnes of coal a day, depending on the mine and the equipment available. Kopanka, like many others, has no health and safety standards, and this is one of the reasons why Ukraine has the second highest mining fatality rate in the world, after China.