29. 8. 85 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 230/49 COMMISSION DECISION of 24 July 1985 approving aids from the Kingdom of Belgium to the coal-mining industry during 1984 (Only the Dutch and French texts are authentic) (85/418/ECSC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to Commission Decision No 528/76/ ECSC of 25 February 1976 regarding the Community system of measures taken by the Member States to assist the coal-mining industry (), Havihg consulted the Council, ¥ Whereas the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium has informed the Commission pursuant to Article 2 of the above Decision of the financial measures which it intends to take during 1984 in order to give direct or indirect support to the coal-mining industry ; whereas, of these measures, the following aids qualify for approval pursuant to that Decision : (million Bfrs) — investment aid : 592,7 — recruitment of skilled workers : 15,0 — aid for stocks : , 106,1 ~— aid to cover losses : 4 6649 Whereas these aids meet the criteria laid down in the Decision for the admissibility of such State assistance ; Whereas of the investment aid all the Bfrs 592700 000 will go to the Campine coalfield, so that the coalfield can maintain the production of coking coal, which is important for the Belgian steel industry ; Whereas the Belgian investment aid is therefore compatible with the provisions of Article 7 (2) of the Decision ; Whereas the aid (Bfrs 15 500 000) for recruiting and training skilled workers has proved necessary in order to attract suitably qualified labour into Belgian coal- mining capable of operating modern plant and machinery properly ; | () OJ No L 63, 11. 3. 1976, p. 1. The aid therefore complies with Article 8 of the Deci- sion ; Whereas the Bfrs 106 100 000 aid to cover the costs of stocks of coal and coke is based on total producers’ stocks amounting to more than 0,9 million tonnes by the end of 1984 ; whereas, with monthly production of around 0,5 million tonnes, stocks eligible for aid under Article 9 (2) of the Decision amount to 0,4 million tonnes ; whereas the amount of aid per tonne is accor- dingly Bfrs 265; whereas the actual cost of stocks (including depreciation and interest) is substantially higher than the amount of aid; Whereas the purpose and form of the aid show that it meets the criteria set out in Article 9 of the Decision ; Whereas the aid totalling Bfrs 4 664 900 000 to cover operating losses is paid to the two Belgian coalfields for different reasons; whereas the aid paid to the Campine coalfield will almost make up the difference between costs and returns; whereas this almost complete covering of the difference between costs and returns is necessary because the coalfield is intended to supply the Belgian steel industry with coking coal and must therefore maintain its output; Whereas the purpose and amount of aid granted to cover losses in respect of the Campine coalfield there- fore comply with the second subparagraph of Article 12 (1) and Article 12 (3) of the Decision ; Whereas, on the other hand, the Southern coalfield should be granted aid in respect of pit operating losses to cover part of the difference between costs and returns. Here the intention is to ensure that only essentials are maintained and the pits remain viable until the coalfield can be closed down without friction, so that serious economic and social upheaval is avoided ; the last pit of production has been closed definitively on 30 September 1984 ; - Whereas the purpose and type of the aids to cover pit operating losses of the Southern coalfield are therefore compatible with the first subparagraph of Article 12 (1) and Article 12 (2) of the Decision ;