The Slovenian Government has launched discussions on a draft law outlining the gradual closure of the Velenje coal mine and the eventual liquidation of its operator, Premogovnik Velenje. This initiative is a key part of Slovenia’s broader coal phase-out strategy, aiming to eliminate coal use entirely by 2033 in line with European Union climate neutrality goals.
The legislation is designed to ensure a fair and carefully managed transition, with active involvement from local communities. It allows for simultaneous coal extraction and decommissioning activities until 2033, enabling a phased reduction in the workforce while maintaining heat supply for residents in the Saleska Valley. Closure-related tasks—including environmental remediation, asset divestment, and site rehabilitation—are expected to continue until 2045.
The draft law provides comprehensive support for miners and affected communities, including retirement packages, severance pay, social assistance programs, and continuous environmental monitoring. Oversight mechanisms will be established to ensure transparent implementation of the transition plan.
To fund the process, the Slovenian state budget will allocate over 1.1 billion euros through 2045, averaging roughly 50 million euros per year. Additional funding will come from the mine’s remaining operations and asset sales.
In 2024, Premogovnik Velenje reported a net loss of 816,000 euros, down from a larger 5.7 million-euro loss in 2023. Coal production also declined from 2.44 million tons in 2023 to approximately 2.17 million tons in 2024, reflecting the mine’s gradual decline as Slovenia moves toward a post-coal energy future.
