Koksara Lukavac coking plant halts production after over 70 years

The Koksara coking plant in Lukavac stopped production at the end of February 2026: the last flares went out on the evening of 24 February 2026, after over 70 years of operation. The complex, with five units (coking, maleic anhydride, fertiliser, power plant and maintenance), employed almost a thousand people, and a buyer is being sought for the site. For the railway company Željeznice Republike Srpska (ŽRS) this means the loss of 1.5 million tonnes of freight a year and more than KM 5 million in revenue (about EUR 2.6 million); in addition, the customer Nova Ljubija said on 27 February that ore shipments to the Nova Željezara steelworks in Zenica are being suspended. Transport for that steelworks generates about 60% of ŽRS freight revenue, which is why acting ŽRS director general Dragan Zelenković warns of catastrophic consequences if it stops. (LOK Report, 5 Mar 2026)