The Economy Ministry says it will not give up coal mining or production of energy using this resource, although in the past 20 years subsidies to support the mining industry have amounted to around 6.7 billion dollars, with companies in the industry continuing to rank high in terms of debts and losses. However, officials of the ministry are very clear: If you don't produce, you don't exist.
"If you want to exist in this world, you have to produce. We could import coal, but good would that do? We would put money into the accounts of other countries. We privatised energy companies and what did that lead to? (Foreign companies) came here, but they make their equipment and seal contracts with companies from their countries of origin. We are pouring money into the accounts of others. We will not give coal up because it is our resource. (...) Romania's energy will continue to rely on coal," says Tudor Şerban, personal adviser of Economy Minister Ion Ariton.
Despite the abundance of these reserves, mining companies face major cost-related problems, while those involved in energy production have to make significant environmental investments, risking to otherwise be shut down because of non-compliance with EU regulations.
The Economy Ministry says it will not give up coal mining or production of energy using this resource, although in the past 20 years subsidies to support the mining industry have amounted to around 6.7 billion dollars, with companies in the industry continuing to rank high in terms of debts and losses. However, officials of the ministry are very clear: If you don't produce, you don't exist.
"If you want to exist in this world, you have to produce. We could import coal, but good would that do? We would put money into the accounts of other countries. We privatised energy companies and what did that lead to? (For
