On 15 May 2025, the Institute of Heritage and Dialogue – Łaźnia Moszczenica in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, also known as ‘Carbonarium’, hosted an international conference entitled ‘European Coal in Transition: From an Industrial Legend to Cutting-Edge Research for the Future’. The event was dedicated to the future of coal regions in the context of just transition and sustainable development. The conference brought together decision-makers from the European Commission, ministers, parliamentarians, representatives of local authorities, the mining sector, scientists and project partners from across the European Union.

The conference was held as part of the Polish Presidency of the European Union, under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and the European Commission.

Event participants

In the front row, second from the left, Minister of Industry Prof. Marzena Czarnecka, third from the left, Janusz Jureczka (PhD) from the Upper Silesian Branch of PGI-NRI

The main objective of the conference was to present the impact of projects supported by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) on the just transition of European coal regions. Another important topic of discussion was the challenges arising from the new EU Methane Regulation (2024/1787), which significantly changes the approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the mining sector.

A particularly important part of the conference were panels devoted to the presentation of projects financed by the RFCS. Initiatives related to methane emission reduction attracted particular interest, such as:

• Reduction of methane emissions from post mining goafs to minimise their inflow into Ventilation Air Methane (REM),
• Methane to Hydrogen Conversion for Emission Reduction and Energy Generation (METH2GEN).

The Upper Silesian Branch of PGI-NRI in Sosnowiec is actively involved in both projects.

An equally important area of discussion were activities related to the reclamation of post-mining areas, presented as part of projects such as GreenJOBS, RECOVERY and GI-MINE, which show how former heavy industry can become the foundation of a new, green economy.

The European Union's priorities for supporting coal regions were also presented, along with plans to launch new RFCS competitions, including the so-called Big-Ticket Call for 2025–2026, dedicated to large, groundbreaking research and development projects. 

REM – joint project of the Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute (GIG-PIB), Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. Company, Institute of Oil and Gas – National Research Institute (INiG-PIB), PGI-NRI, UNIOVI (Spain) and INSEMEX (Romania)

Employees of the Upper Silesian Branch of PGI-NRI participating in the conference with EURACOAL President Prof. Alicja Krzemień

Representatives of the Presidium of the International Centre of Excellence on Coal Mine Methane (ICE-CMM Poland). First on the right – Janusz Jureczka (PhD) from PGI-NRI

Gallery

Text: Katarzyna Strzemińska
Photos: K. Strzemińska, D. Lach JSW SA, A. Wrana, M. Rolka