Abstract:

Coal exploitation in Romania changed the physiognomy of vast geographical areas. The scope and duration of this activity has had an impact on all components of life of those working in this area, beyond the economic changes, the social nature not less significant. Before 1989, the basic principle of the development strategy of the mining industry in general was that of self sustaining economy with mineral resources and thus minimizing imports. The consequences of this way of thinking in the development of the mining sector, in general, and the mining of coal, in particular, were the expansion of the sector beyond the limits imposed by efficient exploitation of minerals national potential. This oversize activity generated a high number of people employed directly (350,000 in the entire mining industry) and other indirect jobs created (700,000 people). After 1989, the entire burden of supporting the sector returned, with corresponding consequences, on budgetary effort.