CEO of Polish mining giant dismissed

Photo: wikipedia

The company's supervisory board issued a statement saying that the dismissal was related to Kompania Weglowa's financial and economic situation.

However, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski has made it clear that this was not the only reason.

“This is a decision that is meant to show that on the managerial level too we are responsible for every word, for every action, for every comment,” Piechocinski said.

Taras angered trade unions in several of his statements.

After the company failed to secure buyers for its earlier planned euro-denominated bond issue, he suggested that not all of the scheduled benefit payments should be made.

At a mining sector conference last week, Taras spoke critically of restructuring plans for the industry, especially plans to revive unprofitable mines.

He called the process the “resuscitation of a corpse.”

Kompania Weglowa's trade unions organised a protest at the end of last week, demanding the CEO's immediate dismissal.

Miroslaw Taras had been at the helm of Kompania Węglowa since 26 April 2014. Until a new chief executive is picked, deputy CEO Piotr Rykala will head the management board.

The process of choosing a new CEO will be carried out under the supervision of the government's newly appointed representative for the restructuring of the coal mining sector, Wojciech Kowalczyk. (kw)