Coal is the most prevalent energy resource in the Visegrad countries, although its role as a fuel and as an industry has declined over the past decade. In 1993, for example, coal accounted for 58.4 percent of the Groups combined total primary energy consumption and in 2003, for 45.3 percent. Poland is the exception, where coal accounted for 93 percent of the countrys primary energy production in 2003, and remains one of the countrys most important employers. Coal also remains significant in the Czech Republic, where it constituted 44.2 percent of the primary energy consumption in 2003. The region holds 25,442 million short tons (Mmst) of proven recoverable coal reserves, of which Poland has 15,432 Mmst. The Czech Republic contains 6,120 Mmst; Hungary 3,700 Mmst; and Slovakia 190 Mmst. In 2003, the region produced 266.2 Mmst, of which Poland was responsible for 67 percent with 177.8 Mmst. The Czech Republic had 70.4 Mmst, Hungary had 14.2 Mmst, and Slovakia had 3.4 Mmst. Coal consumption has generally decreased in the region over the past ten years. Between 1993 and 2003, coal consumption fell by 21 percent in Poland, 26 percent in the Czech Republic, 18 percent in Hungary, and 37 percent in Slovakia. In 2003, total coal consumption for the region was approximately 244 Mmst, an increase of 2.1 percent year-on-year.