1782 | Regular mining activities in the northeast region of the Czech Republic commence. Prior to 1946, the hard‑coal mining business in the Ostrava‑Karviná region was under the control of several companies. One of the most famous owners was the family of Salomon Mayer Rothschild. |
1946 | Government of the former Czechoslovakia nationalised the hard coal mining industry. |
Early 1990’s | In the early 1990s, state enterprises engaged in coal mining were converted into two joint‑stock companies (akciová společnost), the former OKD and ČMD, to prepare them for privatisation. The former OKD comprised most of the mining industry located in the Ostrava‑Karviná region, while ČMD operated hard-coal mines in the Kladno region and Ostrava‑Karviná region (ČSM in Stonava). |
1994 -1997 | 40% of the former OKD shares and 45% of ČMD shares respectively were privatised through a voucher privatisation programme and purchased by individuals and investment funds. |
1998 - 2004 | Karbon Invest acquired controlling stakes in ČMD and the former OKD from minority shareholders. A majority stake in Metalimex, a commodities trader, was acquired by ČMD and K.O.P., a.s. In 1998, the former OKD purchased all of the outstanding shares of K.O.P., a.s., a majority shareholder of Metalimex. |
2004 | Karbon Invest purchased 46% of the shares of the former OKD from the National Property Fund of the Czech Republic. Shortly thereafter, Karbon Invest was acquired by RPG Group. |
2005 | Majority shareholders buy out minority shareholders, consolidating their shareholdings in the former OKD, ČMD and Metalimex. |
2005 | New World Resources B.V. was incorporated as a Dutch private limited liability company to serve as the holding company for the coal mining operations and the coking business of the Company and certain related businesses. |
2008 | New World Resources B.V. was converted to New World Resources N.V. and listed on the London, Warsaw and Prague Stock Exchanges. |
