"Metinvest halts coal production in Pokrovsk: reasons behind the decision."

The "Metinvest" group, led by Rinat Akhmetov, is suspending the operations of the Pokrovsk Coal Group, which includes the Pokrovsk Mine Administration and the Svyato-Varvarinskaya Enrichment Plant, due to the advancing front line, electricity shortages, and deteriorating safety conditions. This was reported by the company's press service.

"The Pokrovsk Coal Group was a key component of the energy infrastructure for Ukrainian metallurgy and contributed significantly to the country's export revenues. However, given the worsening situation, we cannot risk the safety of our thousands of employees and their families. The suspension of operations is a necessary measure aimed at protecting human lives," said Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest.

It has been reported that all mine employees and their families have been evacuated, with free accommodation provided in the company's dormitories. Employees not involved in the suspension are being offered retraining and job placement at Metinvest's enterprises in Zaporizhzhia, Kamianske, and Kryvyi Rih.

In connection with the suspension of the Pokrovsk Coal Group's operations, the company's management has developed an emergency action plan to ensure the supply of raw materials (coal, coke) for the Group's metallurgical enterprises, such as "Kametstal" and the joint venture "Zaporizhstal". Among the measures is the substitution of Ukrainian raw materials with coking coal from the American United Coal Company (part of the Metinvest Group), the use of increased coal reserves, and additional supplies from external suppliers.