The dismantling of the massive RK 5000 excavator at the CSA mine near Most, Czech Republic, reached a key stage with a controlled demolition using explosives. Workers began disassembling the machine weeks ago, and Thursday’s blasts removed a significant portion of the structure. The demolition generated a particularly loud detonation, audible across the region. Most of the excavator will be scrapped for materials, leaving only a remnant of the machine on site. This marks the end of an era for the RK 5000, a symbol of coal mining in the area. The demolition signifies the decline of coal extraction in the region and serves as a memorial to the industry’s past.