The Metinvest Group, an global group of steel and mining companies from Ukraine, announces the suspension of mine operations in Pokrowsk due to the changing situation on the front line, electricity shortages and deteriorating safety conditions. The full impact of this suspension on the Group is presently being assessed. The facilities belonging to the plant stay in the territory controlled by Ukraine.
As worker safety is simply a precedence for Metinvest, the Group has organised an evacuation of mine workers in Pokrowsk and their families. For persons who are not active in the suspension process, The group offers paid retraining training and employment at another Metinvestu plants in Zaporoż, Kamienski and Krzywy Rog. Financial assistance (as well as relocation support and rent compensation), free accommodation in dormitories and support for children (placement in kindergartens and schools) are provided to the staff evacuated.
Metinvestu's management implements a contingency plan to guarantee the supply of key natural materials (coal and coke) for steel production in the Group's metallurgical plants (Kamet Steel and Zaporizhstal). This includes expanding the supply of coking coal from the United Coal Company Group in the USA, the usage of previously accumulated coal stocks and the organisation of additional supply of natural materials from external suppliers.
– The mine in Pokrowsk is the energetic heart of Ukrainian metallurgy, providing a crucial share of the proceeds from exports to Ukraine's budget. However, in the face of a deteriorating safety situation, we cannot hazard the lives of thousands of workers and their families. Suspension of activities is simply a essential step to defend life in these hard times. We believe in the triumph of Ukraine, the strength of our armed forces, and we are ready to resume mine activity in Pokrowsk and rebuild the city after the Russian invasion has been repulsed – said Yuri Ryzenkov, Director-General of the Metinvest Group– global steel and mining group.
