There is only one operating mine left in the Donetsk region

Only one mine is still operating in the part of Donetsk region controlled by Ukraine.

This was reported in an interview with Novosti Donbassa by MP Mykhailo Volynets from the Batkivshchyna party, who is also the head of the Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine.

According to him, the only working mine is facing serious problems due to power outages.

“Yes, just one. This is the Novodonecka mine, closer to the border with Kharkiv region, where miners work and extract coal. Around 800 tons of rock mass per day. Sometimes less, because the mine is constantly being cut off from power. It happens that 150–160 people remain underground at the same time in de-energized workings. The mine starts to flood and fill with gas, and emergency measures are taken to bring people to the surface,” Volynets said.

This mine is part of the state enterprise Dobropilliaugol. Two other workings of this enterprise, according to the MP, are already flooded.

He added that overall, of the 145 mines operating in Ukraine in 2014, only 13 remain. Most ended up on territory occupied by Russia, and some were destroyed by fighting.

Recall that the Belozerska mine near Dobropillia was recently closed.