KIEV, June 25 – Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, after descending 1,000 meters down a coal mine in the Luhansk region Thursday, announced plans for a sweeping reform of the sector that includes liberalization of coal prices and privatization.

“I have a feeling that I have descended to the core of the Earth,” Tymoshenko, who was wearing a coalmining uniform, said after the trip. “Conditions are inhuman, high humidity and high temperature, and people are working down there.”

The reform, which Tymoshenko said will take 12 months, also calls for at least 30% immediate pay increase for coal miners.