PRAGUE, March 22 (Reuters) - Czech utility CEZ received approval to extend mining operations at its Bilina
open-pit lignite mine by five years to 2035, a ruling by the
mining authority showed on Wednesday.
While state-owned CEZ plans to cut the share of coal-fired
plants in its electricity production to 12.5% by 2030, the
government aims to phase out coal completely by 2033. The
government owns 70% of CEZ.
CEZ mining unit Severoceske Doly, which operates the Bilina
mine, has previously said the permit extension did not
necessarily mean the mine would run beyond 2030.
Environmental group Greenpeace said it would appeal the
ruling.
"We have plenty of time to file the appeal, and if it does
not succeed, we would consider other options, like going to
court," Lukas Kopecky, a spokesman for its Czech branch, said.
(Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
robert.muller.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
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