Donetsk, Nov 9 - DAN. DPR state-owned coalmines have produced five million tons of coal since the beginning of this year, the Republic’s Coal and Energy Ministry press service said on Thursday.

“Today, state-owned companies of the Donetsk People's Republic reported that the output has reached five million tons since the beginning of 2017,” the press service said.

Zasyadko coalmine teams hoisted the last tons of coal to complete the five-million-ton benchmark as Coal and Energy Minister Eduard Golenko, Director General of Coal-Producing Associations, Trade Union Federation Chairman Maxim Parshin and other officials came to the enterprise to congratulate company staff on the new achievement.

“I’m glad that Zasyadko Mine produced this five millionth ton of coal; I’m happy that you joined our People’s Republic as a state enterprise in March,” the press service quoted Golenko as saying.

Zasyadko Mine, located in Donetsk’s frontline Kievskiy district, repeatedly came under Ukrainian forces fire. DPR authorities introduced external management at the company in March, a decision supported by nearly all personnel. *jk