Mining wind-down comes at cost

THE ECONOMY Ministry is proposing a draft ore-mining wind-down programme for 2006-2009, at a total cost of Sk438.1 million (€11.2 million), according to Jozef Sirila of the state ore-mining enterprise, Rudné bane, which is responsible for the programme.According to the TASR news agency the sum should provide social benefits to those miners laid-off as a result of the programme, which involves the liquidation of selected ore mines. The mines hit hardest by the programme are Rudňany, Banská Štiavnica, Rožňava, Špania Dolina, Slovinky, Hodruša-Hámre, and Pezinok.