The EU aims to reduce domestic coal production to four million tonnes (compared to almost ten now), close all open pit mining and begin to identify wells that may be closure in 2011 and 2012. These are the European Commission has moved to the Ministry of Industry, under the assumption that autochthonous mineral aids (which expire on 31 December) is finally extended to 2018. In any event, Brussels can not accept proposals that do not involve as final objective the removal of subsidies on mineral production, either in 2014 or in 2018, which in practice would mean the elimination of English mining.
What we have been transmitted, by the Ministry of Industry is that the EU does not accept any approach that does not have as its ultimate objective the closure of coal mining, so I argue, first Instead, the end 2018 as a finalist. Secondly, the reduction production to four million tons of coal and the disappearance of activity in the open. At present, domestic coal production is about 9.8 million tonnes annually, of which 55% comes from open fields and other underground mines. This production would be reduced gradually until 2018.
Finally, as we reported Industries, which limited itself to passing the European proposal, urges to sit at a table and in the extent to which it strengthens the position regarding the royal decree in 2011 and 2012 to go and to close some mines. Also disappear aid operation and aid access to reserves although it is spoken or not carbon competitive and social aspects loads generated in the past, as the worth of coal, the early retirement or redeployment of surplus. The latter would have to pass costs to be borne exclusively by employers.
The elimination of production subsidies would mean the demise of mining in Spain. Mine No country is going to be competitive in 2018 or 2020.
Industry Upon agreement with the electric company forward these payments to account for future purchases coal, Villa said that "it is still more than a temporary patch."