Coal is a major energy resources of Ukraine, which can be considered as the engine of its economy.The current state of the coal industry is very critical and requires supportive measures.This article discloses the structure of the industry, talked about the export and import of Ukrainian coal stockpiles, as well as an analysis of the main problems existing in the country of mines.
Coal as a guarantee of economic independence
Coal of Ukraine is the only energy source that will provide the country in sufficient quantities.The coal industry takes a large share in the structure of the fuel and energy complex and significant impact on the state of the economy as a whole.Increasing the profitability of the industry contributes to the economic potential of Ukraine.And in times of crises in the energy market is suffering the whole coal industry and related industries.
profitability of the coal industry
mined in the Donetsk coal basin has a high cost.This is due to a great depth of layers and obtaining low power.High costs significantly lower profitability of the coal industry.To the industry has become more profitable, economists recommend looking for opportunities to expand its reach and reduce the cost of extraction of mineral deposits.The coal industry is considered to be profitable, if the income from the sale of coal exceed the cost of not less than 16%.Almost all the mines of the Donbass does not meet this requirement, and some experts believe should be covered.
Coal mines in Ukraine
In Ukraine there are about 150 mines, 90% of them are located in the region of Donbass.On its territory there are about 100 operating mines, extracting energy and high-quality coking coal, 14 mines have the status of independent state-owned enterprises, and 28 coal companies are privately owned.
Lviv-Volyn basin occupies about 10 thousand sq. Km.The coal reserves in the area are small, so out of 15 operating mines are scheduled to leave only 2. The largest deposits of lignite are Ternopil and Zakarpattya regions, as well as the territory of the Dnieper brown coal basin.In the Dnepropetrovsk region, there are two coal companies: DTEK and Pavlogradugol, which is at the disposal of 10 mines.More than 40 coal mines located in the Lugansk region.In recent years, due to the difficult economic situation in Ukraine, some mines sold and given to long-term leases to private individuals.
coal reserves in Ukraine
According to documented data, Ukraine has 33.873 billion tons of coal reserves, which becomes 3.9% of world reserves.Of these, 15.351 billion tons are anthracite and bituminous coal, the rest - lignite, or brown coal.According to expert analysis, and Ukraine should these reserves will be enough for 460 years.
Most of the stocks within the territory of Donetsk, Dnieper and Lvov-Volyn basin at a considerable depth.Inventories of existing mines make up 6.1 billion tons, of which more than half falls on anthracite, and the rest - for coking coal.
Types
coal produced on the territory of Ukraine produces three types of coal: lignite, coal, anthracite.Brown is at a depth of 1 km and is a natural formation of dead organic matter, which arose under the influence of stress and elevated temperature.It is characterized by a relatively low combustion temperature due to the high moisture content (about 40%).Half of its members to form volatile substances.
Coal is considered the first fossil fuel.Its use led to the Industrial Revolution, which was born under the influence of the coal industry.Coal contains much less water (about 10%), resulting in a large calorie and high combustion temperature.The volatiles form 32% of its composition, so coal is well ignited.Layers of fossil lie at a depth of about 3 km.Coal is extracted in Ukraine in the mines of Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
Anthracite is the best grade of coal.It consists almost entirely of carbon.Anthracite is characterized by high calorific value and high electrical conductivity.But due to its composition it is poorly flammable.This kind of coal is at a depth of 6 km.Mainly anthracite deposits are located in the mountain ranges or other areas that are subjected to strong movements of the earth's crust.
cost of coal in Ukraine
Basically the price of coal is formed, taking into account such factors:
- natural - climatic conditions in the region, the position of the field, the technical characteristics of the local coal seam thickness and depth and other geological conditions;
- production - material base of mining enterprises with special equipment and technology.
Thus, experts expect the overall cost and analyze the quality of mineral resources, to determine how much it costs a ton of coal.The price of each type of rock is significantly different.The most expensive type is anthracite.It costs on average from 2000 to 2500 UAH. / T.The cheapest on the market of fossil fuels is considered to brown coal (about 1000 UAH. / T).
Keep in mind that the cost of fossil fuels is also dependent on their grade and class.Thus, it is difficult to say unequivocally how much it costs a ton of coal.The price of the breed today is free and is installed directly mining companies.
Export and import of coal Ukraine
Ukrainian industry uses coal for power generation and as a raw material in the steel industry.With regard to thermal coal - anthracite, his country is in excess.So, this kind of rock is about 70% of coal production in Ukraine (often exported to other countries).At the same time there is a great shortage of coking coal.
Thus, Ukraine's coal meets the domestic demand by 60%.The third part of the state of coking coal imports from Russia, the US, Kazakhstan and other countries.Almost the entire volume of the extracted anthracite consume energy company in Ukraine.Excess amounts of fossil rock country exports to Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey and Iran.Enter the European market with large volumes of difficult because of the presence of large reserves of high quality coal in Poland and Germany.Also, the decline of exports significantly affect supply growth in Europe, the American fossil resources.Thus, in recent years, the demand for coal in Ukraine fell by 20%.
problems of the coal industry
coal industry in Ukraine for a long time is in crisis.According to authorities, more than 70% of fixed assets of the industry in need of updating and repair.Over 30 years of continuous use, they are much worn and require replacement.In spite of the rapid technological development, a large number of mines still use mostly manual labor.
poor condition of fixed assets reflected on the quality of coal.If you use worn out equipment mined rock more zolistye.Also poor and outdated technical base significantly affect the productivity of labor, increasing the cost of mined rock.
coal mining in Ukraine requires additional funding.The main sources of investment in the coal industry are the state budget and its own internal means of production enterprises.For the development of this sector of the national economy requires considerable capital.And in order to attract investment from the need to create favorable conditions for business.
In addition, the coal industry of Ukraine has the highest mortality rate and the level of accidents at work.Despite the actions of the government, the coal industry is the most dangerous type of the economy to the health of workers.According to statistics, in the extraction of coal to one million lives lost an average of two miners.
important problem Carbs Ukrainian industry is the large number of coal mine methane emissions.State among the top five countries in the world in terms of emissions (which account for 80% of operating mines).Experts are actively developing projects for his recovery, but so far they have managed to create the conditions for the processing of only 1/10 of the total emissions.
very negative impact on the development of the coal sphere of influence unregulated extraction of the rock.Part of this production amounts to 10% of the total production of thermal coal.
Ways to improve the coal industry
order to solve the problems it is necessary to carry out a package of measures aimed at modernization, reconstruction and optimization of coal.Such programs have already been implemented in some mines and led to increased profitability.
Also, the state should strengthen its energy policy and make some adjustments to it.To achieve these goals, experts created a development strategy for the important sectors of the economy and are working on a large-scale energy saving projects.
Thus, the angle of Ukraine was competitive in foreign markets and provide the full domestic demand, the government should work in two key areas: modernization of industry and carrying out policy reforms to meet modern conditions of economic development.
Industry Outlook
Although Ukraine is now experiencing an acute political and economic crisis, and some mines to suspend operation, the coal industry of the country has significant prospects.Considering how much coal remains in Ukraine, its production could be in the future an important strategic industry of the country.
Taking into account the trends in the development of the coal industry in other countries and the capital intensity of production of their own species, in modern times Ukraine is more profitable to buy coal abroad.If the country in the near future will solve the major problems of this sector, the industry will begin to develop very quickly and be able to bring the economy to a new level.
