The Czech Republic Mining Report provides industry professionals and strategists, corporate analysts, mining associations, government departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the Czech Republic's mining industry.

The mining industry in the Czech Republic contracted approximately 14% y-o-y in 2009 as the global economic slowdown curbed demand. The industry was worth about US$230mn last year, which represented a mere 1.22% of the country's total GDP. However, there is government support for the industry, as evidenced by the Czech Republics latest National Energy Concept, which was released in October 2009. The plan calls for maintaining coal reserves in order to ensure their availability over the period through 2030. It also suggests exploring mining opportunities outside of the government-imposed territorial limit imposed on brown coal mining in 1991.

In terms of deals, in October 2009, Czech Coal and state-controlled power utility CEZ were close to an asset swap deal that would be one of the largest deals in the country's energy sector in the last 10 years, Reuters reported. According to the report, Czech Coal would exchange its CSA brown coal pit for a CEZ power plant. Under the terms of the deal, Czech Coal will lease CEZs Pocerady coal-fired facility until 2013, which is when it will assume full possession. Reserves at the CSA mine are forecast to last until 2020, Reuters claimed, but the report added that if limits on mining are lifted, then deposits at the site could be mined until 2061.

While uranium mines at Straz pod Ralskem and Hamr have been decommissioned, operation of the Rozna mine has been extended several times. There are signs that current government policy to bring an end to uranium mining could be reversed and that the Rozna mine could remain active for some time. The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trades most recent National Energy Concept, released in 2009, recommends that uranium mining begin again in order to enhance energy security, self-sufficiency and keep the energy import dependency at an acceptable level, according to the WISE Uranium Project.

Industry Forecast

As the global economy rebounds, demand for metals is starting to bounce back, and we expect the Czech mining sector to post growth in 2010. However, we believe potential expansion of the industry is restricted. Even if the government backs the resumption of certain activities such as uranium mining, it will likely face opposition from state governments which have to suffer the environmental effects of mining in their regions. We expect growth rates to remain marginal and in the low single digits. By 2014, we expect the value of the industry to reach US$3.1bn. BMI has factored in an evident fall in output of hard coal and uranium and steady production of lignite.

Key Topics Covered:

• SWOT Analysis
• Industry Trends And Developments
• Table: Mines In The Czech Republic
• Key Projects
• Business Environment
• Europe Mining Business Environment Ratings
• Czech Republic: Business Environment Rating
• Legal Framework
• Table: Demographic Indicators (000 people unless otherwise stated)
• Table: Labour Force Quality
• Commodities Forecast Nickel To Average US$22,000/tonne In 2010
• Table: BMI Nickel Forecast
• Table: Nickel
• Aluminium: Downside Risks To Average US$2,100/tonne In 2010
• Table: BMI Aluminium Forecast
• Commodities Forecast Gold To Average US$1,150/oz In 2010
• Table: BMI Gold Forecast
• Table: Gold
• Table: BMI Copper Forecast
• Table: Copper
• Table: Czech Republics Mining Industry, 2007-2014
• Competitive Landscape
• Company Monitor
• Global Assumptions Q310
• Table: Global And Regional Real GDP Growth And Exchange Rates, 2009-2012
• Table: GDP Growth, Inflation, Interest Rates And Exchange Rates, 2008-2014
• Table: Developed States Real GDP Growth, 2009-2012 (% y-o-y)
• Table: Emerging Markets Aggregate Growth, 2009-2012 (% y-o-y)
• Table: Mining Business Environment Indicators
• Table: Weighting Of Components

Companies Mentioned:

• Ostravsko-Karvinsk doly
• Diamo
• Mostecka Uhelna Spolecnost (MUS) (Now Czech Coal Services)

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8d11a3/czech_republic_min