Poland, with a population of about 39 million (almost 8 of the EU), is one of Europe's remaining powerhouses of coal production and has the largest coal reserves in the EU. In 2014, Poland produced about 73 million t of hard coal, which makes up about 60 of the entire EU coal production. However, the Polish coal industry, which employs 130 000 people (including lignite mining) and fuels 90 of the country's power generation, has had a rough few years. Faced with rising costs, chronic inefficiencies and external pressures, a number of large producers are on the brink of bankruptcy and the country, despite its plentiful resources, has been a net coal importer since 2008.
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