The occasional return of the Ćehotina River to its old bed is part of the planned trial work on the flow relocation project, the Pljevlja Coal Mine told "Vijesti", emphasizing that there was no major damage to the new bed, and that the current situation has no impact on coal production or the supply of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant.
When asked about the reasons for returning the river to its old bed and any technical, safety or environmental problems, Rudnik stated that the project is in the trial phase, planned to last six months, in accordance with legal obligations. During unfavorable weather and hydrological conditions, due to the occurrence of a torrential wave, minor defects were observed on the new bed, which are currently being repaired.
"There was no major damage to the new bed of the Ćehotina River and we are confident that we will complete the trial run and obtain the water permit before the projected deadline," the response states.
The large influx of water and the inadequately cleaned old riverbed caused the old and new streams to overflow at the confluence, which, they explain, showed that the old riverbed also had to be thoroughly cleaned. Part of this work has already been completed by the Mine crews.
The project-defined controls of the foil joints on the new bed, as well as their additional reinforcement with gabions, are also underway. Each phase undergoes technical checks and detailed testing, and after confirmation by the competent commissions, it is planned to close the tunnel of the old bed, which would completely complete the project.
The Mine emphasizes that the occasional redirection of the river into the old riverbed is foreseen in the trial operation plan and that such a practice will be applied several more times until the final completion of the project, which, as they state, is common in such cases.
They also remind that the implementation of the riverbed relocation project was delayed due to, as they claim, inadequate decisions in the earlier period and urban planning and technical conditions from 2019, under which the project could not be implemented.
Speaking about the possible impact on coal production, the Mine emphasizes that the new Ćehotina bed "has absolutely nothing to do with production," because the overburden and exploitation works are carried out on the opposite side of the mine.
However, heavy rainfall in January, which, as they claim, has not been recorded in the last 20 years, with an inflow of about 100.000 cubic meters of water per day, caused a fifteen-day suspension of work on the overburden. Low temperatures further complicated working conditions and increased the risk of landslides due to complex geotechnical conditions, which required special drainage and slope stabilization measures.
Despite this, by respecting safety procedures and applicable regulations, the Mine, as they state, ensured continuity in coal deliveries. In December and January, larger quantities than planned were delivered to the Thermal Power Plant.
The company also reminds that the exploitation at the Potrlica mine was previously disrupted due to a landslide in October last year, which led to a several-month standstill and delay in the overburden works. The remediation measures and the development of a new simplified project, as they claim, have been completed in accordance with the recommendations of the mining inspector.
In accordance with the sales contract and the planned dynamics, the Pljevlja Coal Mine will, they say, provide sufficient quantities of coal for the smooth operation of the Pljevlja TPP and the stability of the Montenegrin power system.
The Ćehotina River flowed through its new bed on December 23rd last year. The event was attended by the executive director of RUP Nemanja Laković, Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović, as well as representatives of the Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG).
RUP Executive Director Nemanja Laković pointed out that the completion of the project provided multiple benefits, both for the state's energy system, as well as for RUP and EPCG.
"Today, with the completion of this project, we have provided multiple benefits for the citizens of Montenegro, RUP and EPCG. Our energy system and RUP now function much more safely. As you know, two months ago we faced massive landslides caused by the approach of the work front to the Ćehotina River. Today, our miners can at least partially breathe a sigh of relief, because we are entering a zone of safer and more secure work. The project was implemented within the planned, even shortened, deadline, with full respect for technical documentation, legal procedures and environmental protection measures," Laković emphasized.
The Mine previously said that by relocating the river, or returning it to approximately its old route, conditions will be created for coal exploitation until 2049.
If this had not been done this year, the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant would have stopped, according to the largest Pljevlja company, which would have had catastrophic consequences for the energy system, and the relocation of the river was necessary due to the progress of mining works towards the existing Ćehotina riverbed.
The government declared the project a matter of public interest in July last year.
The works, worth 19,56 million euros including VAT, were carried out by the Consortium HSV Company for Hydroconstruction and Civil Engineering and Building Construction from Vlasotince, "Opticus ing" from Belgrade and the Company for Design, Engineering and Construction of Works "Kolubara" from Mionica.
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