Minister of National Development Zsuzsa Németh enlarged upon the government’s plans and achievements with reference to the future of mining at the central celebration of the Feast of Saint Barbara organised by the Hungarian Mining Association, the Trade Union of Mining, Energy and Industry Workers (BDSZ), the Hungarian Mining and Metallurgical Society (OMBKE) and the Ministry in Budapest on 4 December, 2013.

The government has set as goals to extend coal production and restart coal mining in Hungary, the minister said in her speech delivered on the occasion of the celebration. “Today, the Ministry has signed an agreement with Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Authority and organisations of the mining sector on setting up a coal mining cluster in Borsod. The goal of the cooperation is to make joint steps towards reopening and developing coal mines”, the minister explained.

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There are numerous new opportunities unfolding in coal utilisation worldwide that are also able to meet the increasingly stricter environmental requirements. Of special mention among these is the clean coal technology through which supply to power plants is ensured in an environment friendly way.

As regards energy dependence it was mentioned that Hungary’s dependence on natural oil and gas had significantly increased in the past ten years. Production in Hungary currently covers only some one tenth of mineral oil demand and one fourth of natural gas consumption. Decreasing dependence is among the top priority national security goals, in order to facilitate which it is necessary to accelerate research and development and discover still unknown natural oil and gas exploration areas in the territory of the country. Sustaining responsible mineral property management and developing and properly maintaining the registration system are important governmental goals, the minister pointed out.

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The government is determined to strengthen the sector, acknowledge the work of mining employees and preserve and pass down traditional professional knowledge. Economic growth has perceptibly begun to pick up this year; the budget deficit target kept low and the better positions Hungary has been able to achieve for the coming financing period of the EU have created a suitable framework for the development of mining, Zsuzsa Német underlined.

(Ministry of National Development, Communications Department)