CZECHOSLOVAK MINES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00926A001200020021-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 50
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: June 6, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

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-"7 CLAS111,Ayil /;pyr /US ?MCI= ONLY .
WCENII
IfooP
ari,',M,10W//
PUTCCO3i. small
Fireclay crushing plant
Coal
preparation
according
to calorific
value
KomoFany
Pure coal
Middle.
product
Coal for
power-plants
Coal sorting
plant
KomoPany
according to
the size of
coal
Fuel for
power-plant,
Pure LOA
SM. ?
, .... .. . .
Brown to, coke Middle products horn
preparation plant
Distant gas pipe line
Tar products
Producer gas for
motor vehicles
Special fuel for
domestic graces
Industrial fuel
Mairilpngs
III
Iv
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Large (Lumps) - ? ? over 120 mm
Cobbles I (Trebles)
60/120
?
Cobbles II (Doubles)
40/60
?
Nuts I (Singles)
20/40
?
Nuts II (Beans)
10/20
?
Nuts III (Peas)
7/10
?
Dust (Gum)
0/7
?
In the large open-cast mines is mined not only clean coal,
which does not require any additional preparation, but also
an impure coal. In order to be able to utilize also this in-
ferior sort of coal, it is necessary to prepare it. For that pur-
pose a special preparation plant is being constructed close
to the large open-cast mines near Komoiany, in which as
well as the usual sorting equipment there will be a special
treatment of coal. The impure coal will be prepared by
washing it in heavy liquids, and so, according to specific
gravity, clean coal, the middleproduct and dirt will be
gained separatedly. The middleproduct and refuse will be
burned in a large electric power plant.
The larger lumps of brown coal are used for domestic
heating, the smaller ones for industrial purposes. During
the last war a plant was built near Most, in which a part
of the brown coal output has been utilized for producing
synthetic motor fuels as well as numerous other chemical
products. Moreover, a gas plant is attached to this, where
the coal is turned into gas by the gazification under high
pressure. The gas is distributed by means of a pipe line
network system and supplied to many towns in North-
Bohemia and lately even to Prague.
An additional rational utilization of brown coal, mainly of
the smaller sizes, for which there is not sufficient demand,
will be achieved by using it in thermal electric power plants.
The mines, which consume a great amount of electric
power, run 10 mine power plants of 100 million KWh
capacity per annum. Three large power plants have been
built as well in Most coal mining district; these deliver
electricity to long-distance network. The best known
is the power plant at Ervenice, which since the year 1925
has supplied electric power for Prague and was built in
order to utilize the inferior coal of Hedvika mine. All these
powerplants are now increasing their production capacity
and under a proposal of the Two-Years Plan a further
huge power plant is to be built, which could utilize the
refuse from preparation plant attached to new open-cast
mines.
In the Most coal field there are at present 53 brown coal
mines in operation, and the "North-Bohemian Brown Coal
Mines, National Corporation" was formed after the natio-
nalization, and established at Most. By the nationalization
the mine properties were concentrated and thus it was
possible for a uniform planning from the stand point of
interests and needs of the whole coal district.
The second and smaller brown coal basin of Falknov
spreads between Karlovy Vary and Cheb for about 30 kilo-
metres with a maximum width of 8 kilometres. In this
basin three seams are deposited, which are of various
thickness and of different bedding conditions and proper-
ties of coal.
The upper seam "Antonin", 15 to 30 metres thick, is depo-
sited 14 to 180 metres deep. The calorific value of this coal
is 3.200 to 3.500 calories.
The middle seam "Aneika", 2 to 8 metres thick, contains
coal of higher calorific value, 4.200 to 4.500 calories. This
seam is developed only in the western part of the basin
and is greatly mined out.
The lower seam "Josef", developed only in a form of irre-
gular small beds in thickness of 2 to 10 metres, has coal of
3.500 to 4.500 calories.
The resources of this second brown coal basin are estimated
at 800 million metric tons, from which 3/4 falls on the seam
"Antonin". The Falknov brown coal basin produces at
present about one fifth of the total brown coal output
in Czechoslovakia.
The coal seam is worked here, as in the Most basin, partly
in deep mines, partly in open cast mines. Here also the open
cast mining is going on at greater depths than previously.
From the total output 54 per cent of coal is won in open
cast mines, whereas before the war this proportion was
only 30 per cent.
According to the quality the Falknov coal is divided into
five price classes. The calorific value of larger sizes varies
from 3.100 to 4.700 calories. The run-of-mine coal is rather
wet; some sorts having up to 45 per cent of moisture con-
tent. The small coal of size 0/12 mm, called "grits" con-
tains generally more ash. The proportion of this small coal
to the total output is considerably high, chiefly in open-cast
mines, where it reaches up to 40 per cent. In underground
mines the small size coal usually does not exceed 25 per
cent of the total output.
By the properties mentioned the Falknov coal is predesti-
ned for utilization in the home district itself. It was these
conditions that gave origin in this dictrict to Well developed,
chemical, ceramic, and glass industries. The small kinds of
coal, mainly of inferior quality, is used for generating
electric power. Three thermal power plants, belonging to
the mines, have an annual capacity of about 50 million
KWh. The power plant in Dolni Rychnov with a capacity
of 30.000 KW, belongs to the nationalized power industry.
For domestic heating the coal is briquetted; the briquettes
having lower moisture content and higher calorific value.
The brown coal of Falknov is easily made into briquettes
without the addition of any binding material. At present
there are five briquette-plants in operation nad a new, large
one is under construction.
The increasing proportion of small coal to the total output
calls for the possibility of finding new uses for it. It seems
to be most suitable to convert it into gas and distribute it
by means of the far-distance pipe-line system.
In the "Jan" mine at Pila, "wax" coal is won, from which
montan wax is extracted in one of our own plant.
In the Falknov brown coal basin there are at present
26 mines of different capacity in operation; of this number
seven are open-cast mines. By nationalization this mining
property, originally divided among 14 individual mining
companies or owners, was amalgamated into one corpora-
tion, namely "The Falknov Brown Coal Mines, National
Corporation", with the head office at Falknov.
On the Bohemian and Moravian territory there occure also
lignite deposits. This is a kind of inferior brown coal of
wooden structure with a low calorific value and 11.? high
moisture and ash content.
The extremity of the Zittau lignite basin is in Northern
Bohemia, where the lignite is mined in one single open pit
at Hradek nad Nisou. The calorific value of this lignite
varies form 2.000 to 2.800 calories and the moisture con-
tent is about 40 per cent.
In Southern Bohemia lignite is deposited in basins of Bude-
jovice and Tiebon. The most important lignite deposit
is near MOlovary, where the Svatopluk open-cast mine
is in operation. Lignite of about 1.500 calories is used
in a thermal power plant. Lignite resources are estimated
at about 20 million metric tons. The second important
occurrence is near the village tieenice, where the bpen-cast
mine "Jaroslav" was opened during the last' war. The
lignite from this mine is difficult to sell as it is of_inferior
quality and needs first to be treated. The estimated reserve
of this lignite bed is about 28 million metric tons. ?
A larger resource of lignite occurs in Southern Moravia in -
the district of Hodonin ? Kyjov ? Bzenec. The workable
seam is from 2.5 to 4 metres thick and deposited.at.a depth
varying from 2 to 250 metres. The calorific value of this
lignite is 2.200 to 2.900 calories and the moisture content
up to 40 per cent. The estimated reserve of lignite to the
depth of 120 metres amounts to about 100 million metric
tons.
Lignite is here mined in 12 deep mines with capacity from
50 to 300 metric tons per day.
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Owing to its inferior properties this lignite is suitable only
for the local market. In order to utilize the smaller sizes
a plan has been made to set up a thermal power plant.
By nationalization all these lignite mines have been centra-
lized under one administrative unit and become integral
parts of "The Rosice and South Moravian Coal Mines, Na-
tional Corporation", with its managing office at Zastavka
near Brno.
In Slovakia there are several deposits of brown coal known
of which only a few are important with regard to the possi-
bility of exploitation on a larger scale.
The best developed brown coal deposits are those in the
neigbourhood of Handlova; for the purpose of their exploi-
tation a mine at Handlova and recently one in Novaky
have been set up.
In the Handlova coal basin two seams occur; the upper
seam, also called the "main" seam, 3 to 9 metres thick,
and the lower seam about 30 metres deeper, which is 1.5
to 2 metres thick. The lower seam is not developed throng-
but and at some places is unworkable. By their origin the
seams belong to the Upper Mediterranean stage of Miocene
epoch. The seams dip under 10 to 150 and are considerably
dislocated by faults. The thickness of overburden increases
from north to south from 0 to 400 metres.
The calorific value of the coal varies, according to its depth,
from 4.500 to 6.000 calories. The ? mine at Handlova is
equipped with the modern, "Chance-Sand" preparation
plant for washing the sizes of coal from 13 to 200 mm.
The unwashed coal of size 0 to 13 mm. is burned in the
mine power plant.
To the west of Handlova a new mine was opened at Novaky
during the war. In this district only one seam is deposited,
this is 7 to 10 metres thick and of the same geological age
as the seams in the Handlova district. However, the calo-
rific value of the coal from this seam is much lower - about
2.700 calories and its structure is lignitic. The present
output capacity of the mine at Novaky (1.200 metric
tons per day) will be raised up to 4.500 metric tons. The
Working the brown coal by the "Chambers" method.
resource is estimated to about 70 million metric tons.
The mined lignite will be used for generating power in a
new plant.
In Slovakia the coal mines are organized by one administra-
tive unit "The Coal Mines, National Corporation" with the
central office at Prievidza.
The following table shows the output of brown coal in each
individual brown coal mining district and the total brown
coal output in Czechoslovakia since the year 1913, excluding
the war years.
Year
Brown coal output in million metric tons
Most
brown
coal basin
Falknov
brown
coal basin
Lignite
in South
Moravia
Lignite
in
Bohemia
Slovakia
Czeeho-
slovakia
Total
1913
18,607
4,097
0,254
0,058
0,120
23,136
1919
13,113
3,781
0,240
0,043
0,147
17,324
1929
17,410
4.260
0,225
0,089
0,559
22,543
1930
14,783
3,526
0,200
0,086
0,565
.
19,160
1931
13,887
3,153
0,220
0,068
0,541
17,869
1932
12,052
2,968
0,200
0,075
0,492
15,787
1933
11,488
2,749
0,184
0,082
0,465
14,968
1934
11,362
2,855
0,216
.
0,101
0,536
15,070
1935
11,450
2,739
0,277
0,093
0,554
15,113
1936
12,045
2,853
0,342
0,110
0,598
15,948
1937
13,346
3,312
0,383
0,121
0,733
17,895
1946
13,418
4,713
0,445
0,322
0,577
19,475
The Two-Years Economic Plan assumes the brown coal
output to be 21,822.000 metric tons in the year 1947 and
23,900.000 metric tons in the year 1948. This increased
brown coal output target has been set beause it is foreseen
that the present consumption of bituminous coal will to
a great extent be exceeded by that of brown coal.
The following table illustrates how the total planned brown
coal output is proportionally divided among individual
mining districts:
Brown coal
mining district
The planned brown coal output
in metric tons
in the year 1947
in the year 1948
Most district
15
900
000
17
145
000
Falknov district - - -
4
275
000
4
950
000
Lignite in Bohemia - -
308
000
344
000
Lignite in Moravia - -
480
000
537
000
Slovakia districts - - -
769
000
924
000
Total
21
822
000
23
900
000
The results, already achived in brown coal output, justify
the hopes that the target will be reached.
ING. EBUARD PSTRU2INA.
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The deepest mine in Europe.
Ore Mining. in Czechoslovakia.
Already in the last century the world development of
mineral wealth exploitation resulted in shifting the weight
of mining activity from ores to coal in Bohemia, and to
a greater extent in Moravia and Silesia. In Slovakia, ho-
wever, the importance of ore mining still surpasses that
of coal.
mines in Czech countries, exploiting nonferrous ores,
have been concentrated in one administrative unit ? "The
Ore Mines of Pfibram, National Corporation" at Plibram ?
with the original mining works at Biezove Hory and Bo-
hutin, and with the lead-silver smelting and refinery plants
as well as wire-rope and lead-ware manufactures. The ore
veins of Pfibram ore-bearing district occur in diabase dikes
penetrating through sedimentary Algonkian and Cambrian
rocks. The silver-bearing galena predominates amongst
other numerous ores which occur here. Of these the rich
silver-bearing ores, zinc, antimony, and copper ores, and
the relatively rare cobalt ores are to be mentioned. The
mines of Pfibram, once very rich- and prosperous, and fa-
mous in mining history, suffered very mud]: in the last
century by the fall of the silver standard and their pro-
sperity rapidly decreased. Bad working conditions, which
are made worse when the depth of inines is increased-(the
"Anna" mine at Biezove Hory is the deapest mine in
Europe), are considerable draw-back to the desired resto-
ration. The necessary level of prosperity will be achieved
by the proposed mechanization of mining operation and by
beneficiation of the final products.
The tungsten-tin ore mines at Horni Slavkov, Rotava and
Cinvald, in the Ore-Mountains region; were attached to the
Pfibrani Ore 'Mines by the nationalization of the mining
industry. These mines with their dressing plants are at
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present in full operation. Their production covers a consi-
derable part of the home demand.
The flocculous graphite mines at Chvaletice and the flo-
tation dressing plant at Netolice, are similarly amalga-
mated with the Pilbram Ore Mines. The most modern
graphite flotation plant in Europe is to be found at Neto-
lice. Also the amorphe graphite mines and washing plants
at Kolgtejn and Male Vrbno near Stare Mesto na Morave
belong to the Pilbram Ore Mines. Both these kinds of
graphite are not only sufficient for our home consumption,
but owing to their superior quality, have found a fairly
good sale abroad.
At a considerable expense the National Corporation of the
Pfibram Ore Mines carries with it, in its administrative and
managing function of a Division Board, a research and
prospecting work, exploring for gold, lead-silver, copper,
antimony, molybdenum, and nickel-ores in various districts
of Bohemia and Moravia. The most important item to be
mentioned from this activity is the experimental mining
carried out at Kutna bra and Jilove near Prague. These
ancient towns are famous in the history of our gold and
silver mining.
?At Jachymov, there has been formed the?Eecond ore mining
enterprise organised in one administrative unit ? "The
Jachymov Ore Mines, National Corporation". The "mid-
night" veins, penetrating here through mica-schists, had
once been the richest occurrences of ores in Bohemia.
They were superior to the very rich lodes of the Plibram
ore-bearing district by their high number of useful minerals
(over 80). The former important production of silver and
cobalt-nickel-bismuth ores gave way later to the mining
of uranium ores containing radium.
The mining of iron ores in Bohemia is controlled by "The
Central Bohemian Coal and Iron Ore Mines, National Cor-
poration", at Kladno, which exploit the chamiosite depo-
sits in the Silurian System near Nueice, Chrustenice and
Zdice, and red iron ore beds at Krugna bra and Mnigek.
Magnetic iron ore is mined at Vlastejovice. The open mine
at Chvaletice in the Iron Mountains district, where the
iron-manganese ore deposit is exploited, also comes under
the administration of the managing unit at Kladno.
In Moravia the exploration and mining of iron ores is under
the administration and management of "The Ostrava-
Karvinna Bituminous Coal Mines, National Corporation",
at Ostrava. The most important beds of magnetic iron ore
and of red iron ore are bound on the Devonian diabase
zones, folded out of Lower ,carboniferous strata in the
neigbourhood of Unieov and Sternberk in North Moravia.
The old mines near Medlov and Ridee which have once
been abandoned were reopened during the last war and are
at present in operation.
Ore mining in Slovakia is chiefly concentrated in two
important ore-bearing districts; namely the volcanic Ter-
tiary region of Slovakian Hills near Kremnica and Stiavnica
and the Spig-Gemer Ore Mountains, called Slovakian
Ore-Mountains.
The ore veins and impregnations in the first mentioned
region ("young veins group"), which originated to the
end of Neogene, contain chiefly precious metals (gold and
silver) and in a smaller degree also lead, copper and zinc
ores. The mines existing in this district are amalgamated
in .one administrative unit "The Ore Mines and Metallur-
gical Works, National Corporation" at Baiiska Bystrica,
to which also belong the antimony-ore mines in Slovakian
Ore-Mountains, Low Tatra and Little Carpathian Mount-
ains. The last named ores have a considerable amount of
gold, which is successfully recovered when smelting anti-
mony. By the considerable high number of mined antimony
deposits in Slovakia, the Czechoslovak Republic is at pre-
sent the largest producer of antimony in Europe and stands
third in the antimony world production. From mines belong-
ing to the above named administrative unit we have yet
to mention the antimony mines at Pezinek, Poproe,
Ftabrava and Vajskova, and the gold, silver, lead
and zinc ore mines at Banska Stiavnica, Hodruga and
Kremnica.
The second important ore-bearing district in the Slovakian
Ore-Mountains contains many lodeous and lenticular de-
posits of iron ores, mainly of siderite which, near the sur-
face had been transformed into limonite. The veins and
the metasomatic deposits appear in the Older Mesozoic
porphyritic rocks and crystalline schists, and contain also
copper ores, to a small extent also silver, cobalt and nickel
ores, and at Kotrbachy even a considerable amount of
mercury ore (Schwazit). In the "flyscyh" zone, between
High and Low Tatra Mountains near Svabovice and Ki-
govce, close to the Kogice?Bohumin railway line, there
occur extensive deposits of poor manganese ore. The iron ?
ore mines near Roinava, Luciabania, Vlachovo, Nielnia
Slana, Dobiin?Mlyrnky, Zeleznik, Kotrbachy, Markugovce
and Maria Huta are important. Pyrites are mined at Smol-
nik. The mines at the places quoted are combined under
one administrative unit "The Iron Ore Mines, National
Corporation" at SpiAska Nova Yes.
The amount of iron ore and lead-silver ore production is
shown in the tables below, stating the results achieved
in the past years as well as the production assumed by
the Two-Years Economic Plan for the years 1947 and 1948.
Iron ore production, in metric tons:
YearSlovakia
Bohemia and
Moravia
Total
1919
496
284
451
057
947
241
1929
808
942
998
721
1
807
663
1930
673
878
979.042
1
652
920
1931
517
171
177
907
1
235
078
1932
233
264
368
951
602
215
1933
232
493
196
279
428
772
1934
288
583
250
159
538
742
1935
373
246
357
812
731
058
1936
548
157
541
466
1
089
623
1937
745
211
1
091
284
1
836
495
1946
367
262
748
812
1
116
074
1947 (plan)
449
900
1
048
700
1
498
600
1949 (plan)
521
100
1
216
100
1
737
200
Lead-silver ore production, in metric tons:
Year
Total
Year
Total
1913
71 356
1934
11 39 144
1919
46 443
1935
151 424
1929
116 645
1936
161 707
1930
155 564
1937
168 967
1931
153 793
1946
117 312
1932
147 156
1947 (plan)
172 100--
1933
133 790 -
1948 (plan)
205 650
INC. VLAD. KOVAR.
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36000
11111111111111111'11"
11111
Diagram showing the petroleum production in Czechoslovakia in 1918-194.
Czechoslovak Petroleum and its Future.
The surface occurances of petroleum and natural gas on the
territory of the Czechoslovak Republic have been known
for a long time. They appear in the Tertiary, intensively
folded "flysch" regions, near the Polish frontier of East
Slovakia and in the Moravia?Slovakia borderland. The
local inhabitants used to catch the petroleum, which issued
from the surface, and used it mainly for curing skin diseases.
The first records about exploring for oil date from the
middle of the last century, which marks the time when
petroleum was first begun to be won on an industrial scale.
At that time two shafts, 10 and 15 meters deep, were dug
out and a horizontal adit was driven at Mikova, in Slo-
vakia, near the Polish frontier. Later on, similar experi-
mental works were carried out at other places but without
any results or with only a negligible yield of petroleum,
which was used in the neighbourhood for similar domestic
purposes as that mentioned above.
7.
The development of the production of petroleum, which
had been found on the northern slopes of the Carpathian
Mountains in Poland, initiated a more extensive drilling
activity in the "flysch" regions of the Czechoslovak terri-
tory. Since the eighties of the last century numerous
bore-holes have been made to a depth of 1.000 metres in
the "flysch" strata of the older Tertiary formation -of the
Carpathian Mountains, partly in East Slovakia near Miko-
vd, VySSi Komarnik, Radvan, Kriva Olka, partly in the
Moravia-Slovakia borderland near Turzovka, Stakov,
Bohuslavice nad Vlarou, Napajedla, etc.
Besides, the "flysch" strata covered by younger Neogene
beds had been drilled, chiefly near Gbely, Hodonin and
Ratigkovice. In most of these drill-holes more or less inten-
sive emanations of oil and also eruptions of natural gas
were found. However, economically workable petroleum
deposits have not yet been discovered in the "flysch"
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region of the Czechoslovak territory. The best results were
achieved in the drill-holes in the "flysch" strata in the vici-
nity of Turzovka, where in 1929 150 tons of high-grade
benzene oil was won from two wells. However, this yield
did not nearly cover the expense of constructing and car-
rying out running these two wells.
The first economically workable petroleum deposit was
discovered in the year 1914 at Gbely, in the Moravia-Slo-
vakia borderland at a depth of 150 metres in the Sarmatien
strata of younger Tertiary. To start with, 15 tons of oil of
naphtene base per day was won; a first-rate raw material
for the production of motor fuel, transfomer oils and lubri-
cating oils.
In 1923 further ecomically possible oil deposits were disco-
vered by drilling in strata of the same geological age near
Hodonin.
1000
500
900
450
Boo
400
700
2
320
Average price
for 100 kg
.E
300
in Kt
500
t
0
250
400
200
300
so
200
100
100
50
The position of Czechoslovak oil fields is shown in the map.
With the exception of a few drill-holes carried out without
a systematic geological and geophysical research work and
without first investigating the detail structure of the oil-
bearing strata, no systematic exploring for new petroleum
deposits had been carried out.
The development of petroleum production in the South-
Moravian Neogene region took place during the last
war when the Germans realized that they would not doini-
nate the rich oil fields of Iraq, Iran and the Caucasus after
their defeat at El Alamein and Stalingrad. For these deve-
lopments they used foreign capital invested in Czecho-
slovakia.
In this work very promising oil-bearing structures were
discovered at several places. Up the end of the war less
amount of oil and natural gas had been won. There is
1000
900
BOO
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
90
rs1
Years
Import of mineral oils into Czechoslovakia in 1920-1938.
Up to 1939 petroleum production in Czechoslovakia did
not undergo any considerable change or fluctuation. But
during the war production increased to a striking degree.
The annual production of petroleum from 1918 to 1946
can be seen in the diagram.
Natural gas is to be won as well as petroleum. Before the
war the gas had been mostly consumed by the petroleum
mines for their own operation purposes and a small amount
was delivered to the Czechoslovak Railways. During the
war the natural gas was used for trucks; owing to the
shortage of liquid motor fuel this gas is still used.
From the diagram illustrating the import of petroleum it
can be seen that petroleum production does not come up
to the import of mineral oils into Czechoslovakia. Before
the war mineral oils were imported mainly from Rumania.
Since the war the chief suppliers are Austria and Hungary.
In supplying Czechoslovakia with motor fuel the Stalin
Works at Most, which produce motor fuel by hydro-
genation of brown coal, play an important role.
On Czechoslovak territory about 1.000 bore-holes have
been drilled to an average depth of 150-400 metres; of
these about 900 holes were drilled in the region of Gbely-
Hodonin and in the adjoining districts.
a
.7,
a
A
A
50
Import in tons
Import's value in million KC
Average price in Kt
Value of import in milli
justification for hoping that the oil production of Czecho-
slovakia will be considerably increased after overcoming
various difficulties caused in the Moravian oil fields by
damage to drilling equipment during the war operations
between the Red Army and the Germans in the spring
of 1945.
Before the war several private companies were occupied
with oil prospecting; the State also carried out some explor-
ing works in so far as the allotment from the State Budget
permitted. The private prospectors, however, were not,
for the most part, financially or technically fitted enough
for a systematic, responsible and very complicated investi-
gation and production activity in oil. The prospecting
firms, mainly for speculative reasons, kept the achieved
results of their investigations from publication, or else
they presented distorted records. There was no uniform
administration and management which could organize
a systematic research and production of oil according to
scientific, technical and economical principles, which have
to be applied in prospecting and winning oil. Last, but
not least, there was not enough necessary interest and
understanding on the part of the Government and com-
petent political economists and no taxation preferences
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4
had been granted to the enterprices carrying out the explo-
ring for new oil fields.
In next future the most important, petroleum producing
district in Czechoslovakia will be the region of the Neogene
extremity of the Pannonian Basin of younger Tertiary
in South Moravia and West Slovakia, between Bratislava,
the capital of Slovakia, and the oil fields of Gbely.
At a later date it is planned to investigate the Neo-
gene region, spreading approximately between Bratislava,
Komarno, Nitra and Trnava. In this region, geophysical
and geological research have been carried on in only a very
small way.
It will also be necessary to investigate the Neogene strata
between Sokolnice and Pierov in Central Moravia as well as
those in East Slovakia, and the "flysch" Carpathian region.
By the nationalization of Czechoslovak industry the
research and the petroleum production have been laid
on a sounder basis. The former small enterprises, working
independently, were by nationalization amalgamated into
one single, technical and administrative organized unit
"The Czechoslovak Petroleum Works, National Corpo-
ration", with a registered office at Hodonin.
This corporation together with the General Management
of Czechoslovak Mines in Prague (Central Mining Board)
and in collaboration with the experts of scientific institu-
tions -as well as of central boards, opperates in the investi-
gation and production of petroleum on the whole territory
of the Czechoslovak Republic according to a uniform plan
prepared beforehand on the modern principles of research
work.
The Czechoslovak Government, being aware of the eco-
nomic importance of mineral oils shows full understanding
for the realization of the set tasks. Under such conditions,
all who work in this branch, are surely convinced, that
inspite of certain temporary failures, which are impossible
to avoid even with the greatest care when exploring for
new oil deposits, they will succeed by hard and co-operative
work in overcoming all difficulties and in achieving in a
few years our aim ? the self-sufficiency in mineral oils
economy.
INC. MARTIN FRAJ.
Pre-Carpathian Neogene
Inner-Alpine Neogene, Carpathian Basins
Neogene of the Pannonian Basin ? western part
Neogene of the Pannonian Basin ? eastern part
Neogene volcanic rocks
Silesian Cretaceous ?
2dinice-"flysch", Carpathian promontory of Dogula Nappe
Magura-"flysch"
Inner Klippe Zone
Palaeogene of Central Carpathian Mountains
Pre-Palaeogene of Central Carpathian Mountains
110111iiiiiii,.
Oil-bearing areas in Czechoslovakia.
Oil-bearing structures, in operation
Gas-bearing structures, in operation
Unfinished, investigation deep drilling, promissing district
Structures not investigated by deep drilling, oil production probable
Unfinished geological investigation, oil production possible
Drill-holes for vvater or coal with traces of oil or gas
Drill-holes for oil
Drill-holes with negative results
ft Drill-holes with negative results, traces of gas
Drill-holes with negative results, traces of oil
CI Minute traces of oil
0 Towns
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The output of bitumi-
nous and brown coal
in the years 1937 and
1946 and the planned
output for the years
1947 and 1948.
Output per manshift
in tons
In the diagrams
of ,output the overall
output per manshift
for speciefied years
are shown in white
collumns.
5
2.0
5
1.o
5
Bituminous coal
1937
1946
1947
1948
The Two-Years Plan in Mining.
The Czechoslovak Republic has by the Two-Years Plan,
placed itself among those countries which already control,
or are going to control, their economy according to a defi-
nite and systematic plan. With us, this purpose was ex-
pressed by the Two-Years Economic Plan Act. ?
According to the. Two-Years Plan Act, the production of
the mining industry is given first place as a basis of the
whole economic life of our country. The task of the Two-
Years Plan is to 'renovate and reconstruct the nation's
economy Which is still greatly upset and disorganized
owing to the war and occupation, and also to restore the
public standard of living to the pre-war level. The pro-
duction of the whole industry must exceed the ave-rage
pre-war:production by.10 per cent, although, by the evacu-
ation ot f he Germans and the Hungarians, the number of
employees in the industry has decreased considerably. The
necessary factor to achieve this aim ii that there will be
Brown coal
1937
1946
1947
1948
25
20
15
10 a
?
5
S.
enough coa .production of other branches of industry, as
planned, will then be made possible.
The planning was necessary, especially in the mining
industry, when this fundamental industry ought to be
restored, at least to a pre-war state, as soon as possible
and with a minimum of waste. At the end of the war the
condition of our mines was such as to cause much anxiety
about the future of our mining industry. Firstly, our coal
mines were considerably exhausted by the war.economy
and secondly, during the occupation, the working of mines
was careless and unmethodical and without any thought
for, the future. For instance, the coal output was raised
to a possibly high rate by mining the coal from seams
which ought to have been preserved for a later time, and
the opening and development work was entirely neglected.
The absolute exhaustion of coal mines began to be obvious
even before the end of the war, when the output decreased,
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inspite of additional forced labour and severe compulsory
measures.
The machinery equipment of our mines suffered great da-
mage as there were not sufficient supplies of spare parts;
the machines were usually run overloaded and their control
and maintenance were not thorough, partly due to unskilled
forced labour and partly to the intentional sabotage done
by the Czech employees. The quality of the machinery
equipment, at this time, was mostly very bad.
The human factor, which is the most important and deci-
sive component of every production, was more adversely
influenced by the occupation than anything else. The enfor-
ced high output and undernurishment caused a general
weakening of the miners' health. The compulsory labour
system brought into the mines employees who did the
forced work with concealed dislike and revolt and used
the liberation as a welcomed opportunity to leave the
mines as soon as possible. All these conditions resulted in
a moral disorder of our miners and caused a considerable
lowering of efficiency and coal output and also a great
fluctuation of manpower.
Moreover, the difficult situation of our mining industry
was made worse by the disorganization in some of our
coal-mining districts where, after the Germans left, all the
vacancies of leading positions had to be filled with new
persons. Also the whole organization of great mining con-
cerns had to be changed. Selfsacrifice and hard work of
most of the employees ? despite the general disorgani-
zation ? made it possible for the mines to be kept going
and an output secured which was sufficient to save the
whole of our industry from becoming paralized. However,
it was necessary to work out a uniform plan in order to get
our mining industry into a normal and efficient state and
at least to restore it to a prewar level. Nationalization has
given us the necessary condition for planning, for a rapid
recovery of our industry, enabling a uniform organization
and a planned reconstruction and stabilization of our
mining industry.
The Act No. 192, of the 25th October 1946, provided for
the mining industry the following targets: in the year 1948
the mining production will have to be increased so as to
make an output of:
One of the numerous Czechoslovak coal mines.
bituminous coa ? ? ? ? 17,746.000 metric tons
brown coal 23,900.000 ditto
coke 3,910.000 ditto
iron ore 1,737.200 ditto
oil 82.000 ditto.
In the year 1947, there should be an output of 16,374.000
metric tons of bituminous coal, 21,822.000 metric tons of
brown coal, and the production of coke should be 3,740.000
metric tons.
These are considerably high targets. The output of bitumi-
nous coal in the year 1948 is supposed to reach the same
level as it did in 1937; for brown coal the Two-Years Plan
Act provided an output which ought to be about one
third higher than it was in the year 1937. Such a high
output of brown coal will be necessary to meet the increased
demand due to the new methods of brown coal utilization
as a raw material for chemical production. The other reason
for a higher output of brown coal is the expected partial
change in consumption from bituminous coal to brown coal.
The output of iron ore will have to reach nearly the same
level as in 'the year 1937. More than two thirds of this
output will be produced in Slovakia, which is much more
than it used to be before the war. The reason is that the
Czech iron ore deposits are reaching a state of exhaustion
and also the quality of Czech iron ores is continually
decreasing. For oil. production the Two-Years Plan Act
proposes a target which is four and a half times higher
than the production in 1931.
To realize the planned and- set tasks the necessary condi-
tions have had fo be taken into consideration. These are
the number of employees, the need for operational mate-
rial and necessary investments. The Two-Years Plan also
pays much attention to the building of dwelling houses for
miners, these are very urgent if permanent workers are to
be obtained. According to the Two-Years Plan there are
9.600 dwelling units for miners to be provided in the years
1947, 1948.
The targets given to the mining industry have been worked
out in detail operation plans for each individual plant and
working place. The miners have been acquainted with the
targets and they are continually informed about the results
achieved. Our miners take the Two-Years Plan for their
Bituminous coal mine in East Bohemia.
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tons per manshift
?75
50
25
1.00
75
50
25
0 oo
Bituminous coal
?111
LEI
VIM
ME
MN
./
...
1937
1945 1946 1947
v.-xit
111111161:11?0111i11=111.
Bituminous coal total
Ostrava
Kiadno
Plza
Trutnov
Rosice
1948
tons per manshift
4 oo
50
3 oo
50
200
50
50
000
Brown coal
-11
1111
.,
=pa
=
.. ..... ... ...... ..
1937
1945
v .xit 1946 1947
Brown coal total
Most
Falknov
Plze6 (Mydlovary)
Trutnov (Hriclek)
Slovakia
Rosice (S. Moravia)
1948
Output per manshift in bituminous and brown coal mining in the years 1937 and 1946 and the planned output per manshift
for the years 1947 and 1948.
own and in a manly competition they try, not only to
reach the planned level of production, but to get above it
and so to achieve the aim which our Government made its
own task.
In January this year the mining industry fulfilled the plan
to 105.1 p. c., in February to 101.5 p. c.; these results have
been achieved under extremely difficult conditions caused
especially by a longlasting winter and hard frosts. From
these results it is obvious that the plan for the mining
industry had been made on the basis of objective supposi-
tions and that it is possible to expect that the Two-Years
Plan will be, in the mining industry, not only reached but
even surpassed, especially in coal-production, as it is neces-
sary for our economy.
The Two-Years Plan in the mining industry is ? as a matter
of fact ? a quantitative plan. At first, it has been planned,
to obtain only the quantity of coal which is absolutely
necessary for our economy. In the beginning the econo-
mical conditions compelled us not to lay stress on the cost
of mining production. But later on, the mining industry will
have to pass over to qualitative planning which is the
inevitable complement of the quantitative planning, be-
cause the grade of our nation's wealth depends not only
upon the quantity of products but also upon the amount,
which we have to spend on their production.
The purposes of qualitative planning is to determine the
methods and norms eliminating wastes and uneconomical
production.
ING. FRANTI;EK SIMIN.
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One of several new mines under construction in Czechoslovakia.
Research Work in Czechoslovak Mining.
Research work in mining is partly faced with the same
problems as other branches of industry. There are many
difficult problems of production in the mining industry;
problems, beginning with providing the necessary man-
power and mechanical handling equipment and ending
with the questions of physical properties and treatment
of the products. The actual object of mining enterprise and
production is the winning of useful minerals which mostly
serve as the rawmaterial for other industries. Also in min-
ing the production is a process predominantly aimed at
the sale of products in which the costumer is interested.
The relation of the general majority of the numerous
branches of industry to the supplier is formed by demanding
definite properties of procured semiproducts or parts. But
in mining this relation requires quite a different solution as
the supplier to the mining industry is the natural wealth
9?
of the Earth's crust itself, and there is no possibility for
the miner to choose or dictate the quality of material he
obtains from natural mineral resource. Because of this
the mining research work fundamentally differes from that
one carried on by other branches of industry.
The chief aims of the research activity of the Czechoslovak
mining are traced by the Central Board as well as by the
individual mining plants in a- direct connection with their
routine operation.
The comprehensive tasks of mining research are solved by
a close co-operation with public, scientific, technical, eco-
nomical, and Social research institutions. A collaboration
is being established with Universities and with research
stations of 'other branches of industry at home as. well
as abroad..
As well as this, the Czechoslovak Mines own a special Insti-
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tute for the scientific research of coal, now enlarged for
research of all kinds of fuel, ores and minerals. Here, first
of all, the necessary production and beneficiation processes
for all fundamental raw material and final product are
examined and tested by scientific methods. This Institute
is at present one of the best institutes of this kind in Europe
because of its equipment and high scientific and technical
level.
No less well-developed is the actual organization which
aims at the safety of employees in mining. This branch of
research work in Czechoslovak mining has a good tradition;
it is in continuous collaboration with research centres at
home as well as with competent research institutions
abroad. Miners of all countries are united by a brotherly
and Mutual understanding because of the increased dangers ?
and risks which are found in their work. These dangers are
caused by the physical conditions of the mineral deposits,
rock pressures and bursts, exhalations of gases and frequent
handling with explosives. Good results in successful rese-
arch work in this respect are met with response by all
those who are concerned. The Czechoslovak inining, which
? has such rich experiences of natural conditions and occur-
rences in own mining districts, has organized several rese-
arch stations equipped with the Most modern technical
appliances; so that our mining experts are well provided
"in all respects for co-operative work and are able to make
the best use of their study of special experiences of foreign
investigators. The Central Board of Czechoslovak Mines is
interested in the preparations and arrangements being
? made 'for the planned foundation of the Mining Research
- Institute at Lidice, which ought to be a centre of interna-
tional importance as regards the research of safety in mines.
From the results of Other research activities, concerning the
problems of obtaining the objects of production, follows the
orighi of mining and also of the greater part of other
industries. Often the actual operations of production are
?bound to the research work carried " out along side. As
a typical e)pmple of this close relationship is the exploring
for and the production of petroleum, where the research
The shearing machine in use in a brown coal mine.
work forms an integral part of the production opera-
tions. This kind of research work consist of an extensive
activity in systematical evidence and investigation of
mineral occurrences, in the examination and determination
of physical and chemical mineral properties, and working
out the plans of experimental mining, which in the case of
successful results extends to a fully developed mining ope-
ration. There is no doubt, that a close co-operation with
competent research institutions is also essential here.
Within the scope of the organisation of Czechoslovak
Mines the geological exploration carried out by means
of measuring physical phenomena is purposely playing
an important role. The use. of geophysics has recently
become a means which is applied in many directions in
mining research.
Perhaps, in no other branch of industry are there so many
cases of direct interest and influence on the part of nonex-
perts as there are in mining. The motives here are different;
sometimes it is a ,local interest assuming possibilities for
improved cOnditions in a town, or district, sometimes inte-
rests of individuals who are occupied with nature study
in a dilettante way, and sometimes even the egoistic aspi-
rations to win fame or the longing for imaginary riches.
The task of mining research is also to guide and to set
limits to sugestions, which might lead to unfounded hopes
and cause unnecessary disturbances to the inhabitants of
the town or district concerned.
The necessity for preserving the results achieved in mining
operations also lies within the scope of Czechoslovak mining
research work. Old mine-openings have often been obli-
terated by new workings, and mining activity has gone
through frequent changes and turning points, and some-
times, here and there, has ceased altogether. However, the
mining industry is bound to the nation, which now is the
sole owner of mineral wealth, to preserve the results achie-
ved by mining activity for the scientific use of future gene-
rations in the form of valuable, genuine and accurate
records.
ING. LADISLAV NIACEK.
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Chain and buckets excavator removing the overburden in open-cast brown coal mine.
Mechanization in Czechoslovak Mining.
In the time of the .First Republic, before the last war, the
Czechoslovak ore, bituminous- and brown-coal, and lignite
mines presented a high grade of mechanization. The occu-
pants looked with amazement at the machines and equip-
ment installed in the mines, and their experts, sent to us
under the pretex of instructing our miners, found with
astonishment that many problems had been better solved
here than in Germany, though the machinery and equip-
ments in our mines were largely of German origin.
What were the characterizations of our mines? In bitumi-
nous coal milling the problems of working thin seams and
ones of moderate thickness, had been answered successfully
by means of the large, moveable coalcutters and by the
concentration of operations by forming efficient working
units with daily output of 1.200 tons, as well as in the field
of underground conveyance and haulage, where, as the
first country after England, we had introduced .the face
belt conveyors of bottom carrying type. We also solved
the problems of hydraulic, pneumatic, -and mechanical
stowing, adapting them to.our conditions: The method and
equipment of hydraulic filling at the Sophia Pit at OstraVa-
Karvinmi coal district, where the filling material'is 'trans-
ported along an- inclined drift at' a gradient of 24 degrees
from the surface into the mine, bec'ame a matter Of interest
of mining experts, who came from-a11 parts'of the Woildlto
see it. We proved the economic pOs'Sibility of 'working the
thin seams (30. to 40 cm), and under the most _difficult
conditions we achieved in those Seains _the advanced rate
of 1_8' metres -in 24 hours in driving the crosscuts; a grade
of efficiency which appears to.be an unusual one even in the
highly mechanized anthracite mines in U.S.A. For a long
time we faeed very difficult problems in' the brown" Coal
Mines, where the underground mining was in proportion
to open cast- Mining as 70 'to 30. The lerw'gelling prices -of
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brown coal made it impossible to invest large sums in ma-
chinery equipment for underground mining. The obsolete
working method hardly allowed for a coal extraction of 40
per cent and thus the economic losses were very high.
Therefore, new coal winning machines and new working
methods, which would allow for greater mechanization, had
to be tested in an experimental scale. Working by means of
slices had been tried out and also different kinds of stow-
ing, and large, moveable, electrically driven coalcutters
had been introduced. Some coalmining companies deve-
loped working methods very thoroughly. Also for the open-
cast mining a method was found which could meet the
condition of overburden, and the foundations were laid for
a mechanized mining, of which later the occupants could
so aptly make the best use.
The mechanization of the lignite mines differed only a little
from that in American mines. Here we have installed and
use the large cutting and loading machines and convey the
coal by means of belts to the skip-winding equipment,
nearly entirely eliminating the orthodox haulage system of
circulating mine cars. Inspite of very unfavourable phy-
sical conditions our mining achieved here very good re-
sults in this branch.
Our ore mines, which are very old and which contain only
ores of poorer quality, necessitated particular attention
and skill in order to be able to work them at all. It was
therefore necessary to find and choose the proper types of
machinery equipment. Conveyors, pneumatic drills and
picks, agglomeration equipment and modern roasting
ovens were installed and set in use shortly after they were
invented. Our home industry which manufactures mining
machinery tried in vain to overtake that of German
industry. German machines were introduced into our
country more and more, as the Germans had for the export
all necessary favourable conditions. Their export policy
was supported by German industrial circles, and when
the tendency to raise the prices of raw-material threatened
their export, Germany supported its export by export-
premiums, by which it made it impossible for American
and British manufacturers to compete with it.
Then came the occupation of our country and the Second
World War. Our mines, equipped and run very well, be-
came the immediate object of the plundering efforts of the
occupants. They tried to win from our mines as much as
possible and to invest as little as possible in mining equip-
ment. The resulf of this was that the machinery wore out
at an increasing rate, beacuse of insufficient maintenance,
and lubrication, and the substitute materials for spare
parts could not keep the machines in a proper condition.
The wear in the material rapidly began to show and the
machines gradually failed. Up to the end of the war even
the most needful repairs were not allowed to be carried
out, the only aim was to keep the output as high as pos-
sible. In their own mines, the Germans tested many new
machines for hewing and loading coal, but on principle
they did not send such new equipment to be tested in our
mines. Therefore, after the war only a few mining machines
of the newest types were left in our mines. But we are
to-day well aware of the fact, thet the war enabled the
Germans- to test many new machines and equipment,
'which in some cases were of revolutionary character and
of great importance for mechanization in mining. And so
for the Germans the way for future development is clear.
Their experts have known up to now how to conceal some
of their inventions and experiences and the Allies did not
entirely succeed in obtaining from them all the information
which they had gained from investigations which had been
tested during the war.
What tasks have we to face? The chief factor in the
struggle for a better future for our miners, in these days
of our new democratic Republic, is the mechanization of
working, loading and hauling the coal. The arduous work
of the miner can only be eased by the aid of machinery,
which will increase the outpout and so lower the production
costs. Only by perfect mechanization we can cut the work-
ing hours and raise the miner's standard of living. The
management of nationalized Czechoslovak mines is aware
of this fact and looks clearly into the future. The Central
Board of Czechoslovak Mines sends its mining experts
abroad to acquaint them with condition of mining through-
out the world. It was not only the better quality of the
Allies'weapons that could defeat the Germans. First of all
it was sufficient quantity of coal and ores which the. Allies
had during the whole war, it was the high output, the high
production capacity, conditioned only by the perfect me-
chanization in all branches of the mining industry. There-
fore it is very interesting to compare-the methods of mining
in allied countries with those ones at present known to us.
The fundamental condition of mechanizing the working
of the coal is the introduction of large, moveable coalcut-
ters. By means of these machines it is possible to break
the coal from .compact seams by cuts or kerfs and then by
blasting to prepare the coal in such a manner, that it only
needs to be loaded, thereby dispensing with all pickwork.
All these operations are performed by machines. It will be
our aim to introduce these methods in our country.
What assumptions have we to be able to achieve our
aims? Our engineering industry suffers lack of experienced
and skilled designers in the mining machinery branch and
will not be able to manufacture highly efficient machines
so rapidly as we would wish. Also the development of
many such machines costs enormous sums. It is not easy
to design and construct machines, which, for instance,
load 5 to 10 tons of coal in one minute, or the large, auto-
motive coalcutters, with revolving jib, which are able to
make a cut or kerf to the depth of 2.5 meters in a minimum
time. We are still not perfectly acquainted with the con-
struction details of the huge excavators, which have the
bucket or shovel cubature up to 40 cubic metres and whichi
enable an economic stripping operation up to the seam
overburden ? ratio of 1/20, or even more. Therefore it will
be necessary to purchase abroad at least the minimum
number of these technical innovations and to search for
the most efficient way of using them in our mining. We
shall have to adopt a special training of those miners who
will be in charge of controlling and maintaining these
modern equipment. For this purpose it will be necessary
to organise working teams of a relatively small number of
well trained miners, which could achieve great output
with this equipment. To fulfil the Two-Years-Economic
Plan we shall have to face many difffcult tasks. We shall
have to exchange our existing equipment, which is mostly
no longer up to date. This exchange is to be enabled by our
engineering industry. Then we shall have to test imported
machines and to adopt, our working methods. The mechan-
ization, which in this way we shall carry out as perfectly
as possible, will be beneficial not only to our miners, but
to all the people of our country.
INC. JOSEF HLISNIKOVSK.V..
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..
6
,
The bucket-wheel of a giant excavator.
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The Kladno miners.
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Miners attending a T. U. meeting at which they volunteered to work overtime in order to exceed the coal output target.
The Social Problems of Czechoslovak Mines.
The social position of the miner is dependent upon two
things. On one hand it is the reputation held by the public
of the miner and on the other hand the economical aspect,
i. e. what his income is, whether provision is made for his
dwelling, what security he has whilst working.
The success of the efforts of the Czechoslovak Mines' Mana-
gement, in securing permanent labour, will depend upon
the solutions to the above questions.
Even before the war the miners in Czechoslovakia had all
civic rights like every other citizen; but in fact, there was
not only between him and the mine-owner, but also between
him and a mine-official, such a deep social distinction, that
it made it quite impossible for them to be in social contact
together. Indeed, the miners had the right to join Unions
and to have their own work-councils, but this right was
never strong enough to raise the miner to a socially high
position, which would correspond to his arduous, and for
Ii.
the country so important work. On the contrary, he had
to fight for each of his single claims. These struggles gene-
rally culminated in numerous strikes, the results of which
were always heavy economical losses. ?
As regards a living wage, the miners were very behindhand;
their wages averaged from 32.? to 47.50 Ke' per day.
It must also be added that owing to the general economic
depression, lasting nearly until 1938, there used to:be only
3 or 4- working days weekly. So, the miner's weekly wage
was only three or four times the wage per shift. For this
wage miners had to give such a high output, that this was
usually the limit of their physical ability.
In all coal-mining districts there was a practice of the ave-
rage wage principle. This had to be kept, no matter how
high the output had been, only in a few districts had a
higher output been rewarded. This reward, however, was
so small as to be almost negligible, and it has already been
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Declassified
Declassified
in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/18: CIA-RDP80-00926A001200020021-5
included in the figures of average wages above mentioned
and explains the higher figure of 47.50 KC.
It can easily be understood, that under such conditions
the miners' social position was low, his food insufficient,
and the possibility of education and culture almost non
existant.
As regards accommodation, the conditions were not satis-
factory. The miner's house could hardly be called a "house".
A small, dark room without any sanitation, probably damp
and very often standing on undermined ground. That was ?
and, unfortunately, still is ? the usual type of miner's
house.
As for social welfare, ther was already before the war a well
organized service of Health Insurance carried out by the
District Miners' Funds, but Pensions and Accident Insu-
rances were still insufficient. On the one hand they were
low, absolutely according to the law-text, on the other
hand because they were allotted according to the earnings,
which themselves were very low. Miners' old-age pensions
were called "provisions" and retired miners were known
as "provisionists". Such a provision amounted to 300-
400 KC monthly, which represented one third of the sum
which a miner needed for his existence, or one half if he
reduced the necessities of life to a minimum. Anything
beyond this low standard had to be provided by means of
his childrens' support or by public charity.
The German occupation made conditions still worse and
so the new democratic Czechoslovak Republic has taken
over, after the war, a very sad heritage. But by a radical
social policy several important and successful results have
been achieved in a short time and these results discriminate
accurately the position of miners now from the pre-war
conditions. The heritage, which the new democratic Cze-
choslovak Republic took over in May 1945, was briefly
told ? like this:
"During the,first postwar month the miners ? in the true
sence of the word ? starved. The wages were very low, and
inspite of general rapid increase of prices, they received
only 150 per cent of pre-war wages. During the whole war,
miners' families were not able to buy clothes, shoes or
furnitures; on the contrary, owing to the general misery
and insufficient rations, they had to barter their scanty
possessions, for food."
For that reason the Czechoslovak Government introduced
without delay, in the months of May, June and July 1945,
an extensive provision action for miners. There were, and
still are, distributed in preferential order for miners spe-
cial, emergency rations of basic food like meat, fats, flour,
sugar, milk and vegetables and preferential rations of
footwear and clothes. So the most critical situation was
rapidly overcome, and now, our miners have the most
important necessities of life in at least sufficient quantity.
Not later than June 1945 the wages were raised, and, at the
same time, began the principle, that for an increase in
output, achieved in piece-work, the miner would receive
a higher wage raised against the basic wage by a propor-
tionally increasing amount, without any limitation in
upward direction. In consequence of this, the average
earnings of miners increased to 135-186 Kes per shift,
which represents, calculated according to the general cur-
rency ratio 1 to 3, an increase of wages by 30 per cent. And
because there is now exclusively six-days working week,
the miners' incomes are relatively nearly three times as
high as they were before the war, when the working time
used to be restricted.
In addition, there is paid leave for miners up to five weeks
per year, which before the war was twelve days at the most.
Also 5% of the deserving men from each mine are sent, at
public expense to a winter or summer resort. This welfare
arrangement did not exist before the war at all. The quan-
tity of miners' coal allowance has at last been increased.
So the miner's average standard of life has been raised at
least threefold.
As for the question of insurance, already an act had been
issued, under which each employee of the mining industry,
whether official or workman, would have the benefit of
a uniform pension, which solves in a very favourable way
the question of old age and invalidity.
The amounts from the former insurance are being valued,
so that higher benefits will be paid to insurance cases
which came into existence after 1st January 1947, the
effective date of the law.
PIM MED NAS HORNIKY
Napo
"gfigNiiiny
Some of the informative publications issued by the Central
Board of Czechoslovak Mines.
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The basic benefit brings 14.000.? Kes yearly.
In the case of an accident to a man working underground
there is no waiting period. In general, the benefits for
employees, who have worked underground, are considerably
higher. The pensions may reach 90% of the average salary
or wage. Besides the old-age and invalid insurance the
Law provides also pensions for widows (with a minimum
benefit of 6000.? Ices yearly) and for orphans. The
orphans' pensions relate also to step-children and foster-
children and, under some condotions, also to illegitimate
children, to grand-children becoming orphans, and even-
tually to other dependants (aged parents, brothers and
sisters).
The following examples of calculated benefits and the
comparison with the figures of 1st January 1937 will make
the matter clear..
Under the Miners' Insurance Act the old-age pension will
be a certain percentage of the average yearly income. The
percentage will be according to the number of years
employed, i. e. the pension of an underground worker
with an average yearly income of 48.000.? Ks and of
a surface worker with an average yearly income of 32.000.?
Ke.s respectively will amount to:
for underground for surface
worker per cent worker per cent
of income of income
after 10 years of employment
53
47
? 15 ,,
63
54
"
20
?
73
61
25
,.
51
83
68
?
30
90
75
?
35
?
90
82
?
40
?
90
89
The following table shows the comparison of provisions
under the Law No. 200/1936 with the present miners'
pensions.
Invalid (old age) pensions:
0.
`O'
?
Pensions under the new Act
Paid to the
1st January, 1947
Newly employed
insuree
Maximum pensions
when the income
was 6.000.? ICes
monthly
surface
monthly
income
3.200.?
K6s
under-
ground
monthly
income
4.000.?
Kea
surface
monthly
income
3.200.-
1{Zs
under-
ground
monthly
income
4.000.?
Kbs -
surface
under-
ground
10
1
650
14
938
20
880
16
752
25
200
26
160
34
800
20
2
490
18
298
25
680
22
128
34
800
36
240.
49
200
30
3
300
21
658
30
480
27
504
43
200
46
320
63
600
35
3
750
23
338
32
880
30
192
43
200
51
360
64
800
Widows' pensions:
10
825
10
469
13
440
11
376
15
600
16
080
20
400
20
1
245
12
149
15
840
14
064
20
400
21
120
27
600
30
1
665
13
829
18
240
16
752
24
600
26
160
34
800
35
1
875
14
669
19
440
18
096
24
600
28
680
35
400
Pensions for fatherless child.
10
330
5
235
6
720
5
688
7
800
8
040
10
200
20
498
6
075
7
920
7
032
10
200
10
560
13
800
30
666
6
915
9
120
8
376
12
300
13
080
17
400
35
750
7
335
9
720
9
048
12
300
14
340
17
700
Pensions for orphans:
10
660
10
469
13
440
11
376
15
600
16
080
20
400
20
996
12
149
15
840
14
064
20
400
21
120
27
600
30
1
332
13
829
18
240
16
752
24
600
26
160
34
800'
35
1
500
14
669
19
440
18
096
24
600
28
680
35
400
JUNE
1946 DECEMBER
MIVV2V92!
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2 30.485 Germans
2 894 Apprentices
" 2.696 Brigadiers
i4.41
73.894 Bohemians
&VIM=
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15.643 Germans
22 1.537 Apprentices
t??2?12=
11.322 Brivadiers
Movement of manpower in Czechoslovak mines in 1946.
From the social standpoint the miner has to-day equal
rights of citizenship. Under the influence of a single Trade
'
Union Organisation, in which all miners fromthe General
Manager to the youngest 'apprentice are united, a. social,
mutual approach, which brings them together, has come
about. The raising of the social position of Miners gained
moral support by .such circumstances, as the President of
the Republic on several occasions receiving miners'- dele-
gates and by high state office holders customarily Paying
visits to miners directly in pits, in their own working
'
surroundings.
.
? .
The bad housing situation could not yet be improved. The
Two-Year Reconstruction Plan assumes the building of
3239:new and the restoration _of 1430 dwelling units for
miners. Each dwelling unit will consist of kitchen, two
rooms, bathroom and- conveniences and will have an ade-
quate garden. Every dwelling must be equipped with run-
ning watei and electric light. In the most important coal-
districts the building of miners' houses has just started.
So in this way the' Management of Czechoslovak Mines
helps also the succ'essful recruitment of new labour for
the mining industry.
In May 1945, after the conclusion of the second World
War, when Ckech-minerS returned to the border coalmin-
ing districts, ;they found the mines plundered and neglec-
ted. The mining Machinery and. equipment was damaged
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Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/18: CIA-RDP80-00926A001200020021-5
Miners'dwellings of olden days; still to be seen at some places.
Miners'houses now being built. View and ground-plan.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/18: CIA-RDP80-00926A001200020021-5
or worn out to such an extent that it was no longer safe.
First of all it was necessary to bring everything as quickly
as possible to a state which would enable the mines to
start operating and to give as much coal as it was necessary
for the economical revival of our liberated country.
For that purpose skilled mineworkers and craftsmen were
needed. Of course, only Czech workers were wanted for,
even though some German labour was employed, all con-
fidence in their work had gone and could not be regained.
The miners asked the employees of inland industrial plants
to help them. The Trade Union organisation of these works
understood the importance of the situation and arranged
working groups, largely at the direct suggestion of enthu-
siastic workers. These were the first voluntary working
brigades, which readily went to lend a helping hand to
miners for either a short or a long time.
Successively, other men, nonexperts in technical works,
presented themselves to work in collieries and made them-
selves very useful at auxiliary work. They also made it
possible for the undesirable Germans still working in our
mines to be replaced gradually by Czech workers.
The solidarity of workers assured the operation of most
collieries in the frontier districts during 1945. About 5%
of the brigade-men even decided to remain as permanent
employees.
In 1946 the need for coal for developing industry rapidly
increased. At the same time the nation unanimously decided
to get rid of, as soon as possible and for ever, the rest of
German labour in our country. The arrangement of volun-
tary coalmining brigades therefore became temporarily an
inevitable measure for securing the operation of mines.
In June 1946 the Government charged the Ministry of
Industry with recruitment of coalmining bridages. The
Ministry of Industry in co-operation with the Ministry of
Social Welfare, the Central Council of Trade Unions and
with the General Management of Czechoslovak Mines,
gave a well organized setting to this action.
An obligatory period of 4 months was fixed for brigade
work. For these brigades-men the same supplying advan-
tages were secured as for the miners. Their wages were
settled at the level reached in their original employment,
and separation allowances were obtained for their families.
? The carrying out of recruitment of brigades was left to
the Trade Unions, the direction of brigades for work
in individual mines assigned to the General Management
of Czechoslovak Mines. During the second half of 1946
about 27,040 temporary workers from industry, public-
and civil-service employees and also University students
assisted in coal mines in Bohemia and Moravia. The Cze-
choslovak Army sent 1.913 men belonging to combined
military units to help out in coal mines. Slovakia sent
5.000 men.
The action of voluntary coalmining brigades was an abso-
lute success. By the second half of 1946 it was possible to
remove 14.842 German workers from our mines. The per-
centage of brigades-men who decided to remain in mines
permanently, also increased.
In fact, the brigades deserve to be met with full approval.
First of all, they give the mines managements the time
necessary for building the houses for permanent workers
and they will be an important help in coal mines until
these are mechanized and their workings rationalized.
Apart from this they propagate, in all classes of the nation,
the importance of the miners' work and remove the bar-
riers of lack of interest in mining, barriers once intentio-
nally built around mining. There is no doubt that, as soon
as the Two-Years Plan can solve the housing problem, the
coalmining industry will gain the best permanent workers
from the file of voluntary brigade-men.
Inspite of all their success the volunteer brigades can not
be a permanent solution to the lack of manpower in coal
mines. In a relatively short time the brigade-man cannot
acquire the knowledge and experience of the skilled miner.
The officiency of a brigade-man working underground
SLiBILI JSMEI Z
TEIBU ZifttIME
SLID
Poster reminding the miners of their promise given to the
Government and Republic to increase the coal output.
reaches, at? the most, 75% of the permanent miners'
efficiency.
Only in obtaining a sufficient number of permanent wor-
kers a definite help can be given to coal mines. But this
immediately bears upon the solving of the housing problem.
Men apply for permanent work in coal mine's, on condition
that a suitable house or flat will be allocated to them. But
there is a great lack of houses and flats in coalmining
districts. Where conditions were more favourable and it
was possible to accommodate workers, permanent man-
power was gained chiefly from -re-emigrants returning
from Hungary, Yougoslavia and Westphalia, and also from
men returning to mining after having left the industry for
other occupations immediately, after the war.
However, all this is only a partial solution and the problem
becomes a national one. The final solution can not be
achieved until the houses, as laid down by the Two-Years
Plan, are built. Until these are complete a regular flow of
permanent manpower, resulting from recruitment and
transference of surplus employees?from other branches of
industry, cannot be expected.
Meanwhile the Propagation Department of the General
Management of the Czechoslovak Mines is doing everything
in its power to boost mining as a career. By means of
the wireless, films and publications this propagation is
mainly directed to young men and to boys just leaving
school, as the most important problem to be solved by the
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About 40% of mining apprentices were recruited in 1946
by the help of this poster, published by the Czechoslovak
Mines.
recruitment campaign is that of the new generation of
future miners.
After the Second World War mining became in most coun-
tries a branch of industry with men past middle age. So
in Czechoslovakia the? average age of miners is about
40 years.
With Czechoslovak mines it is not only the question of
increasing the number, but also the question of increasing
this number by young men. It is an old experience, that
the best miner is he who has worked in mines from his
youth.
Therefore, the main effort of manpower recruitment for
mining apprentices must be concentrated amongst the
young generation. To this purpose a propagation of coal
mining serves. It at first tries to root out the prejudice,
which still remaines, from early days, amongst parents
against their sons' work in mines. To-day, mining has
become a recognized and well paid trade and the time of
apprenticeship is no longer a time of torture. Now, the
young apprentices are provided for very well. The boys
live toghether in the modern equipped "Apprentices' Ho-
mes", and a higher standard of living is reached than in
most of their own homes. The boys have their own libra-
ries, readingrooms, clubrooms, baths, playgrounds. For
managing their affairs they have a system of self govern-
ment. The boys are under permanent pedagogic guidance
and medical control.
In the training school, which lasts for three years, the
boys acquire not only the theoretical elements of mining
but are also practically trained as they successively pass
from school education to work at the surface and finally
underground. They are trained by skilled mirier-instructors
and engineers.
The apprentices' daily work equals an 8-hour shift, ending
at 2 p. m. Then the boys have their own free time, which
they spend in reading, sports and entertainment. For a long
holiday they are sent to the sea or into the mountains. If
a boy shows distinguished ability in school, he may con-
tinue in his professional training in higher courses or school.
reaching eventually the possibility of studying at the Uni-
versity Mining School. -
The boys are well provided for financially. They get a
monthly allowance, the amount of which varies according
to different districts and to the age of the boy "when he
enters the training-school. The lowest amount in the 1st
year of school is 1.080.? Ks monthly, the highest, in the
3rd year reaches 1.570.? Kes with an extra of 25%. This
allowance is sufficient to pay for his food, clothing and
other necessities and there still remains enough money for
saving. The boys wear the same traditional costume worn
by miners as well as by mining engineers thus emphasise
the unity of the mining profession.
The propagation of mining as an occupation, its very favou-
rable economic and social conditions, regulated. by new
laws, excellent conditions for apprentices, is all having
inch an effect, that more and more boys are choosing
mining for their careers. The capital invested in the training
of boys is, in fact, a very profitable investment and gives
hope ? that our new generation of miners will secure the
future of Czechoslovak mining and will be its pride.
JUDr. VACLAV.VLK.
?
Below: A mining apprentice.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/18: CIA-RDP80-00926A001200020021-5
A town in a coal-mining district.
The Foreign Trade and Marketing Possibilities.
Before the war the Czechoslovak Republic carried on a
brisk reciprocal foreign trade in the most important branch
of its mineral production; Czechoslovakia was selling as
well as purchasing coal. As the most important Czecho-
slovak coal mining districts are situated near the frontier,
their location is very advantegeous for supplying some
consumers abroad. On the contrary, foreign coal was pre-
ferable to our own coal for some purposes.
So, for instance, we exported in the year 1937 to Ger-
many 1,799.000 tons of brown coal to the value of about
171,000.000-Ke and imporfed from Germany 1,108.000 tons
of bituminous coal worth about 159,000.000 Ke. Export
of our bituminous coal was chiefly to Austria (1,279.000
tons worth about 160,000.000 KC), but also to Hungary,
Germany and Italy. On the whole the export balance was
an active one. We exported coal to the value of about
439 million K?while the coal import amounted to about
12.
177 million KC. This favourable balance was still improved
by the coke export. For the same reason as with coal we
also imported coke from Germany, about 164.000 -tons
in the year 1937. Nevertheless, our export of coke exceeded
the import by as much as 943.000 tons. It was sent not
only to the neigbour states, such as Austria and Hungary,
but also to countries further away, such as Sweden, France,
Yugoslavia, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Rumania, etc.
On the whole, the balance of Czechoslovak foreign trade
of mineral fuels was active. Against the import to the
value of about 211 million Ke there was an export worth
593 million KC'. As to the quantity of exported coal and
coke, our brown coal export represented more than 10 per
cent of the total output, that of bituminous coal over 13 per
cent, and coke nearly 20 per cent of production.
As found to be in the year 1946, the development after the
war was in our country in accordance with the development
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Declassified
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in other coal producing European countries. Like them,
we were also compelled to reduce our export very consi-
derably. In the year 1946 we exported
brown coal
bituminous coal
bituminous coal coke
brown coal coke
300.925 tons
30.659 ,,
246.703 ?
30.852 ?
Unfortunately, the supply did not meet the demand, but
if all goes according to plan, our export in 1947 will be
substantially increased in comparison with that of 1946,
though it will not come up to that of pre-war years. We
hope to export about 700 to 800 thousand tons of brown
coal, which would be nearly as much as 40 per cent of the
pre-war export. In bituminous coal our exporting possibi-
lities are much more modest and will probably reach only
10 per cent of pre-war export. The situation of the coke
trade is relatively best. The assumed coke export will be
about 50 per cent of that achieved in the last pre-war year.
Czechoslovakia decided upon these export quotas inspite
of the great lack of fuel for her own need, realizing her
duty to aid to the best of her ability her former custo-
mers abroad.
On the other hand we also intend to import coal, chiefly
from Poland and a smaller quantity from Hungary. As
during previous years, so now export will, however, greatly
surpass import. From this ,can ba seen our efforts to regain
our pre-war foreign markets and to place ourselves again
in the position to which we are predestined by the geo-
graphical location of our coal mining districts.
It is, of course, not to be expected, that progress from
present conditions will follow the track of previous years;
on the contrary, considerable changes must be taken into
account, arising from two circumstances, viz.:
1. The structural changes, which have taken place in our
coal production as well as in that of other countries.
2. The changes which have come about in the power eco-
nomy of our neighbours as well as of more distant
customers.
In the first case it will be not without affect, that our coke
plant were considerably enlarged during the last war, so
that the present production capacity of our coke industry
is much higher than it used to be, and that, we also
produce the brown coal coke. Unfortunately, the output
of cokeable bituminous coal is not yet in line with the
coke plant capacity, being still below the brown coal output,
which has already reached the pre-ear level.
It is difficult to foretell the development of foreign trade
in future years; when the present coal shortage is overcome.
In adapting themselves to the present conditions of depres-
sion countries utilize all practical measures to restrict the
consumption of coal and try to replace it by other sources
of power. There is no doubt that these efforts will be, at
last, successful, and that this will have immediate
influence on the foreign fuel trade. For instance, in Austria
and Hungary there have been raised relatively big petro-
lentil. industries which produce much more than the do-
mestic consumption demands. Both these countries will
therefore undoubtedly replace a part of their former coal
demand by petroleum and in addition they will have
petroleum and its products at their disposal for export.
So it is possible, that in the relations between these coun-
tries and Czechoslovakia a leveling of the balance of power-
sources will take place. We shall import oil and oil pro-
ducts from these countries and export coal and coke to
them.
As far as other useful minerals are concerned the situation
is different. Folowing table illustrates the variety of export
and import of several mining products in the year 1937
and 1946.
1937
1946
Import 1
Export
Import
1 Export
in
metric tons
Iron ore,
total:
14
995
000
1
816
000
12
973
650
490
250
3f this:
Sweden
8
486
700
4
913
780
U.S.S.R.
1
874
000
4
183
610
Yugoslavia
1
635
000
249
690
Austria
1
086
000
3
166
380
?
Hungary
1
806
000
490
250
Antimony,
total:
66
11
663
7
495
Fireclay,
total:
6
880
976
000
47
335
Graphite,
total:
lifontax wax,
total:
35
3
350
774
28
800
929
357
8
10
880
196
As regard iron ore, the import nearly reaches pre-war level.
Most iron ore is imported from Sweden with the U.S.S.R.
and Austria, taking the second and third places. The
import from Yugoslavia, on the contrary, is only a fraction
of what it was before the war. As regards other our export
products, trade has not yet been fully developed with the
exception of montan wax.
Because of the great demand of goods, chiefly for fuels, the
trading possibilities of our mining industry are, of course,
very good; unfortunately, they are restricted by the capa-
city of our industry and by the obvious necessity to supply
the home market first. By increasing the production, as
foreseen by the Two-Years Economic Plan ? and we firmly
believe that the aims of the Plan will be reached ?, we
shall again be able to serve our foreign customers as wf.1
want to do.
CTII3OR BUBELA.
in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/18: CIA-RDP80-00926A001200020021-5