The Slovenian parliament adopted a law on the gradual closure of the Velenje coal mine. The legislation includes a 20-year shutdown programme and sets out social protection measures for employees, in line with the country’s coal phase-out strategy until 2033.
Commercial production at the country’s last operating coal mine will end in 2033, while closure-related works are to be completed by the end of 2045.
Under the law, the shutdown will be carried out based on a 20-year framework and two-year operational plans. The annual cost of the closure is estimated at around 50 million euros, with total expenditure between 2026 and 2045 exceeding 1.1 billion euros. Once the mine’s own resources are exhausted, the costs will be covered by the state budget.
The technical work involves closing more than 50 kilometres of underground tunnels and nearly 3 kilometres of shafts, as well as recultivating approximately 1,100 hectares of surface area.
The legislation also includes social measures, such as early retirement options, increased severance pay and retraining programmes for employees of the mining company.