Bloomberg reported that guards at the Jozwin coal mine in central Poland clashed with protesters trying to climb down ropes into the open pit causing production to be halted.

As per report, security guards from the mine tried to stop protesters from the Greenpeace environmental organization, most clad in reflective green vests, from descending into the pit ahead of the December 1st to 12th 2008 climate conference hosted by Poland.

Mr Radoslaw Stankiewicz, a spokesman for Kopalnia Wegla Brunatnego Konin SA said that “More than 20 people trespassed onto the area where very dangerous equipment operates. Our security intervened and called police. We had to stop production.''

Greenpeace accused the guards of assaulting its members, who brandished quit coal banners and are seeking to phase out coal use in favor of renewable energy. Poland is one of the most coal dependent countries in the world getting more than 90% of its electricity from coal.