The first attempts to make reforms in the Ukrainian coal industry date from 1996. Previously, the industry employed 650,000 miners extracting 66 million tons of coal in 275 mines, with low efficiency (while a Ukrainian miner produced 100 tons of clean coal a year, his Russian counterpart did 200, and his Polish one 400). Ukrainian coal’s prime cost was 150% its market value. Nevertheless, the industry received $240 million in direct subsidies and $600 million from other industries via accumulated liabilities.
In 1996-99, the industry remained in a stable bad condition. Reforms meant to bring it into conformity with the government’s financial capacity, stipulating comprehensive output reorganization (e.g., closure of unprofitable pits, mitigating the social and ecological consequences of output reductions), turned out to be practically ineffective. The Ministry of Coal Industry actually pulled out of reform, concentrating on barter deals and squeezing out “capital investment” and subsidies, while lobbying for a ban on coal imports. As a result, budget allocations meant for modernization under the newly enacted program were actually spent on current payments to miners and mine managers. Nothing was left for labor safety programs or procurement of modern equipment. In fact, the entire system of state administration did not encourage such spending, as in 1998 the coal industry had accumulated staggering accounts payable ($3.7 billion), of which only $1.7 billion could be covered by accounts receivable.
The program was frozen after Ukraine received the first World Bank credit tranche, to be resumed only in 1999 (that same year several hundred thousand dollars of the WB money was stolen). Yet this monetary aid (perhaps moral is the word) could not solve any pressing problems, considering that those in power had no will to put an end to nationwide theft and say out loud that Ukraine does not need such golden coal, just as it does not need human lives lost in such a senseless way.
The first shift March 11 was destined to be the last one ever in the lives of 80 miners, members of a repair team at the Barakov Pit of the Krasnodonvuhillia state holding company. An explosion was registered at 13.35 at a depth of 664 meters, in the Seventh Southern Longwall, Seam K- 5. There were 287 miners down the pit at the time, with 87 in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter, of which only 7 survived. 24 hours later a government commission came up with a preliminary statement: the explosion had been caused by gas and air accumulated in the 31st western drift. The scope of the disaster was increased by gas-permeated coal dust. Experts are still to issue official findings ascertaining the cause of the blast, yet certain media point to gas welding, something that should have never been allowed in a pit with such a level of gas discharge, not under any safety regulations. At a news conference on March 12 in Luhansk Fuel and Energy Minister Serhiy Tulub did not deny the assumption that the tragedy was caused by the outrageous irresponsibility of certain administrators and breaches of safety procedures. The final report will be made by the government commission headed by Premier Viktor Yushchenko who arrived in Krasnodon on March 13.
Serhiy Tulub said the tragedy at the Barakov Pit was a chance occurrence. Even though the coal company has for several years been among the initiators of coal miners’ strikes in the region, in 1999 it started performing on a more stable basis and carried out its annual quotas by 101.7% for the first time in nine years. That same year arrears on wages were paid off by 30% and mine manager Volodymyr Dokuchayev believes all back wages will be paid in 2000. Among the prerequisites is a new seam being prepared and modern equipment orders sent out.
Viewed at this angle, the blast was indeed a chance occurrence. Yet there is another aspect.
Against the background of a great human tragedy caused by the irresponsible attitude of mine managers to production safety arrangements, certain political games have begun. Leaders of independent miners’ unions, particularly Dmytro Kalytvyntsev at the head of Barakov Pit organization, claims his labor union has for many years pressured the management to give priority to job safety by making appropriate allocations. On the other hand, word has it that the independent union leadership is to blame for the explosion, because the union has encouraged strikes and slackened discipline, conniving at those preferring to shout slogans rather than work. There is no secret that most miners ignore the risks inherent in their trade and consciously breach safety regulations, the more so that they are tired of waiting for improvements in their working and living conditions.
As resolved by the families, the first seven victims of the blast were buried March 13. They rest will be interred today. The funeral is expected to be attended by President Leonid Kuchma who is scheduled to fly to Krasnodon. March 13, 14, and 15 have been proclaimed days of mourning in the oblast.
The Editors and staff of The Day wish to extend their heartfelt sympathy to the relatives of the dead miners.
The Savings Bank has opened special accounts for donations for the families of the victims at the Barakov Pit:
UAH (non-cash): 29097900195
UAH (cash): 29020900065
USD: 29090955181
DM: 29099955182
RUR: 29098955183
MFO 36014, Code 02786329, Krasnodon Office No. 3121, Savings Bank of Ukraine
