Hard coal

2021

Resources and output

The documented anticipated economic resources of hard coal as of 31 December 2021 amounted to 64,687.70 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost ¾ of the resources (70.94 %) and coke coals – above ¼ (27.86 %) whereas the participation of other types of coals remains negligible (1.20 %). The resources of the exploited hard coal deposits were equal 28,056.96 million tonnes, accounting for 43.37 % of the total anticipated economic resources. In 2021, the number of hard coal deposits in Poland did not change.

Tables below show hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland (Table 1) and in particular hard coal basins (Table 2 – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin; Table 3 – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin; Table 4 – the Lublin Coal Basin).

Table 1. Hard coal (total) – million tonnes

Table 2. Hard coal (LSCB) – million tonnes

Table 3. Hard coal (USCB) – million tonnes

Table 4. Hard coal (LCB) – million tonnes

In 2021 anticipated economic resources of hard coal increased by 265,322 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The reasons were:

• the resources growth due to the new documentations with recalculated resources (the supplements) accepted for two already documented deposits (+396,382 thousand tonnes): Nowa Ruda Pole Piast Rejon Wacław-Lech (+17,546 thousand tonnes) and Za Rowem Bełckim (+378,836 thousand tonnes);
• the resources drops resulted from the new documentations with recalculated resources (the supplements) approval for two already documented deposits (−43,611 thousand tonnes): Knurów (−36,297 thousand tonnes) and Szczygłowice (−7,314 thousand tonnes);
• the resources drop caused by the exploitation (−49,511 thousand tonnes) and losses.

Moreover, in 2021, there was a new documentation with recalculated resources (the supplement) approved for the Brzeziny deposit – elaborated as a result of the deposit exploitation end, however the state of resources in this supplement complies with the state of resources from the last year of exploitation.

In 2021, the anticipated economic resources covered by the detailed exploration (categories A, B, C₁) totaled 30,286.36 million tonnes, accounting for 46.82 % of the total anticipated economic resources. The resources documented in a C₂ category accounted for 50.44 % (32,625.67 million tonnes) and in a D category for 2.74 % (1,775.68 million tonnes).

The economic resources of mines calculated in the deposit development plans amounted as of the end of 2021 to 4,700.96 million tonnes, decreasing by 108.88 million tonnes (it means by 2.26 %) in relation to the year 2020. The resources changes were the result of the new deposit development plans elaboration, the supplements for such plans and the result of the exploitation and losses. In 2021 such plans and supplements were elaborated for 11 deposits and only in the case of 1 deposit economic resources have not changed, whereas for the remaining 10 deposits the resources dropped – by 34,787 thousand tonnes in total. The economic resources are currently calculated within a reference to the duration of the concession for the raw material exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be significantly bigger. The updating of the economic resources volume base will be regularly carried out in consecutive deposit development plans.

According to the data supplied by the operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2021 – the total output equaled 49,511 thousand tonnes, increasing by 1,355 thousand tonnes (2.81 %) in relation to the previous year. The output came from 40 deposits – one less than in 2020. The exploitation from the Brzeziny deposit ended and the output from the Wisła I and Wisła II-1 was on hold. The exploitation started from the Ostrów deposit. Still, for the Bzie-Dębina 1 – Zachód and Dębieńsko 1 deposits, there have been preparation works carried out. For another year – sixth in a row – there was no exploitation from the Imielin-Południe deposit recorded.

Table 5. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2021.

 

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur – from energy coals (type 31) to coke coals (type 38) and sometimes (mainly in LSCB) anthracite (type 41). In USCB deposits the mean ash content varies from 4.00 % to 23.00 % and total sulfur content from 0.40 % to 9.00 %, whereas in LSCB deposits from 10.10 % to 38.77 % and from 0.54 % to 2.83 %, respectively. In LCB mainly energy coal up to gas-coke coal occur (types 31-34). In LCB deposits mean ash content amounts within the range of 6.15 %-20.71 % and sulfur content 1.28 %-3.12 %.

In the latest edition of The balance of prospective mineral resources of Poland issued in 2020, the assessment of resources prospective for hard coal in Poland was updated*. There were following depth criteria adopted: LCB – 1,250 m for prospective resources (prognostic resources were not assessed); USCB – 1,250/1,300 m, both for prospective and prognostic resources; LSCB – 1,000 m for prognostic resources and 1,250 m for prospective resources. At the same time, the resources were calculated on the basis of the current limit values of the parameters that define the hard coal deposit and its borders, however the minimum bed thickness was accepted as 1.0 m due to the current technological and economic exploitation conditions. Only for LCB, in the border area with Lwów-Wołyń Basin, in which beds with the thickness of 0.6 m are being exploited, such thickness was maintained as the minimal. The total prognostic resources of hard coal in Poland as of 31 December 2018 amounted to 17,004.82 million tonnes and prospective resources to 26,914.19 million tonnes. In particular coal basins the resources were as follows: LSCB – 100.00 million tonnes of prospective resources (of a hypothetical character); USCB – 4,616.17 million tonnes of prognostic resources and 20,926.58 million tonnes of prospective resources; – LCB – 12,388.65 million tonnes of prognostic resources and 5,887.61 million tonnes of prospective resources.

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

* Jureczka J., Ihnatowicz A., Kotlarek P., Krieger W., Młynarczyk M., 2020 – ‘Węgiel kamienny (hard coal)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 99-112. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2020

Resources and output

The documented anticipated economic resources of hard coal as of 31 December 2020 amounted to 64,422.38 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost ¾ of the resources (70.75 %) and coke coals – above ¼ (28.03 %) whereas the participation of other types of coals remains negligible (1.22 %). The resources of the exploited hard coal deposits were equal 28,409.26 million tonnes, accounting for 44.10 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There was one new deposit documented within USCB area in 2020 – Sawin 1, which covers the part of the Sawin deposit area and the region never documented before.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2020 anticipated economic resources of hard coal increased by 92,539 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The reasons were:

• the resources growth due to the documentation of new deposit – Sawin 1 (+1,315,030 thousand tonnes);
• the resources drop due to the new documentations with recalculated resources accepted for 3 already documented deposits (−1,325,639 thousand tonnes): Marcel (−224,611 thousand tonnes), Rydułtowy (−578,317 thousand tonnes), and Sawin (−522,711 thousand tonnes), whereby the documentations for Marcel and Rydułtowy deposits were approved in 2016 and 2017, respectively, but taken into account by the concession holders in Z-1 forms only in 2020. The concession holders had to settle within these resources the ongoing exploitation – up to the point where the exploitation concessions for Marcel 1 and Rydułtowy 2 deposits were issued;
• the resources drop caused by the exploitation (−48,156 thousand tonnes) and losses;
• moreover, the anticipated economic resources for Murcki deposit for the coal type 35 were revised (the growth by 95,934 thousand tonnes) – this change was the result of the new documentation with recalculated resources approval and was omitted in the previous edition of ‘The balance…’. There were also new documentations with recalculated resources approved for Mysłowice and Piekary deposits. In both cases the documents were elaborated in relation to the exploitation end and the necessity to settle the resources remained in the deposits. The documents did not cause the resources changes in comparison with 2019 as approved resources were in accordance with the amounts reported in the last year of the exploitation.

In 2020 the anticipated economic resources covered by the detailed exploration (categories A, B, C₁) totaled 29,951.41 million tonnes, accounting for 46.49 % of the total anticipated economic resources. The resources documented in a C₂ category accounted for 50.52 % (32,545.69 million tonnes) and in a D category for 2.99 % (1,925.29 million tonnes).

The economic resources of mines calculated in the deposit development plans amounted as of the end of 2020 to 4,809.84 million tonnes, increasing by 30,636 thousand tonnes (it means by 0.64 %) in relation to the year 2018. The resources changes were the result of the new deposit development plans elaboration, the supplements for such plans and the result of the exploitation and losses. In 2020 such plans and supplements were worked out for 27 deposits and in the case of 6 deposits economic resources increased despite the running exploitation – the total growth was equal 208,739 thousand tonnes. The economic resources were established for the following deposits: Śmiłowice, Bolesław Śmiały and Brzezinka 3. They accounted for 31,869 thousand tonnes (the volume taking into account the exploitation in 2020), 5,567 thousand tonnes and 88,168 thousand tonnes, respectively. The total economic resources drop, equal 98,440 thousand tonnes, recorded for Mysłowice, Rydułtowy, Śląsk and Śląsk-Pole Panewnickie, resulted from the exploitation concessions extinction. The exploitation from Piekary deposit ended, and in the supplement to the deposit development plan all of resources have been classified as sub-economic. The economic resources are currently calculated within a reference to the duration of the concession for the raw material exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be significantly bigger. The updating of the economic resources volume base will be regularly carried out in consecutive deposit development plans.

According to the data supplied by the operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2020 – the total output equaled 48,156 thousand tonnes, decreasing by 15,907 thousand tonnes (24.83 %) in relation to the previous year. The exploitation started from Bobrek-Miechowice 2 and Śmiłowice deposits. Three deposits – Bzie-Dębina 1 – Zachód, Dębieńsko 1 and Ostrów are being prepared for the exploitation start, however during the preparation works there were 620 tonnes of coal extracted from Bzie-Dębina 1 – Zachód deposit and 76 thousand tonnes from Ostrów deposit (Table 2).

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2020.

 

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur – from energy coals (type 31) to coke coals (type 38) and sometimes (mainly in LSCB) anthracite (type 41). In USCB deposits the mean ash content varies from 4.00 % to 23.00 % and total sulfur content from 0.40 % to 9.00 %, whereas in LSCB deposits from 10.10 % to 38.77 % and from 0.69 % to 1.61 %, respectively. In LCB mainly energy coal up to gas-coke coal occur (types 31-34). In LCB deposits mean ash content amounts within the range of 6.15 %-20.71 % and sulfur content 1.28 %-3.12 %.

In the latest edition of The balance of prospective mineral resources of Poland issued in 2020, the assessment of resources prospective for hard coal in Poland was updated*. There were following depth criteria adopted: LCB – 1,250 m for prospective resources (prognostic resources were not assessed); USCB – 1,250/1,300 m, both for prospective and prognostic resources; LSCB – 1,000 m for prognostic resources and 1,250 m for prospective resources. At the same time, the resources were calculated on the basis of the current limit values of the parameters that define the hard coal deposit and its borders, however the minimum bed thickness was accepted as 1.0 m due to the current technological and economic exploitation conditions. Only for LCB, in the border area with Lwów-Wołyń Basin, in which beds with the thickness of 0.6 m are being exploited, such thickness was maintained as the minimal. The total prognostic resources of hard coal in Poland as of 31 December 2018 amounted to 17,004.82 million tonnes and prospective resources to 26,914.19 million tonnes. In particular coal basins the resources were as follows: LSCB – 100.00 million tonnes of prospective resources (of a hypothetical character); USCB – 4,616.17 million tonnes of prognostic resources and 20,926.58 million tonnes of prospective resources; – LCB – 12,388.65 million tonnes of prognostic resources and 5,887.61 million tonnes of prospective resources.

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

* Jureczka J., Ihnatowicz A., Kotlarek P., Krieger W., Młynarczyk M., 2020 – Węgiel kamienny (hard coal). In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 99-112. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2019

Resources and output

The documented anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2019 amounted to 64,329.84 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost ¾ of the resources (70.26 %) and coke coals – above ¼ (28.51 %) whereas the participation of other types of coals remains negligible (1.23 %). The resources of the exploited hard coal deposits were equal 27,233.84 million tonnes, accounting for 42.33 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There was one new deposit documented within USCB area in 2019 – Dankowice 1, which was allocated from already existing Dankowice deposit.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2019 anticipated economic resources of hard coal increased by 2,893,622 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The reasons were:

• the resources growth due to the documentation of new deposit within USCB area – Dankowice 1 (+72,054 thousand tonnes);
• the resources growth due to the new documentations with recalculated resources accepted for 5 already documented deposits (+3,248,355 thousand tonnes): Byczyna (+210,526 thousand tonnes), Murcki (+1,084,541 thousand tonnes), Wesoła (+923,378 thousand tonnes), Zabrze-Bielszowice (+123,956 thousand tonnes) and Ziemowit (+905,954 thousand tonnes);
• the resources drop due to the new documentations with recalculated resources accepted for 4 deposits (−339,448 thousand tonnes): Dankowice (−60,802 thousand tonnes), Jas-Mos (−128,794 thousand tonnes), Lędziny (−76,908 thousand tonnes) and Śmiłowice (−72,944 thousand tonnes);
• resources drop caused by the exploitation and losses.

In 2019 the anticipated economic resources covered by the detailed exploration (categories A, B, C₁) totaled 30,040 million tonnes, accounting for 46.70 % of total anticipated economic resources. The resources documented in a C₂ category accounted for 50.31 % (32,364.56 million tonnes) and in a D category for 2.99 % (1,925.29 million tonnes).

The economic resources of mines calculated in the deposit development plans amounted as of the end of 2019 to 4,779.20 million tonnes, increasing by 1,173.75 thousand tonnes (it means by 32.55 %) in relation to the year 2018. The resources changes were the result of the new deposit development plans elaboration, the supplements for such plans and the result of the exploitation and losses. In 2019 such plans and supplements were worked out for 18 deposits and in the case of 16 deposits economic resources increased despite the running exploitation – the total growth was equal 1,257,967 thousand tonnes. The economic resources are currently calculated within a reference to the duration of the concession for the raw material exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be significantly bigger.

The updating of the economic resources volume base will be regularly carried out in consecutive deposit development plans.

According to the data supplied by the operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2019 – the total output equaled 64,063 thousand tonnes, increasing by 180 thousand tonnes (0.28 %) in relation to the previous year. (Table 2).

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2019.

 

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur – from energy coals (type 31) to coke coals (type 38) and sometimes (mainly in LSCB) anthracite (type 41). In USCB deposits the mean ash content varies from 4.00 % to 23.00 % and total sulfur content from 0.40 % to 9.00 %, whereas in LSCB deposits from 10.10 % to 38.77 % and from 0.69 % to 1.61 %, respectively. In LCB mainly energy coal up to gas-coke coal occur (types 31-34). In LCB deposits mean ash content amounts within the range of 6.15 %-20.71 % and sulfur content 1.28 %-3.12 %.

In the latest edition of The balance of prospective mineral resources of Poland issued in 2020, the assessment of resources prospective for hard coal in Poland was updated*. There were following depth criteria adopted: LCB – 1,250 m for prospective resources (prognostic resources were not assessed); USCB – 1,250/1,300 m, both for prospective and prognostic resources; LSCB – 1,000 m for prognostic resources and 1,250 m for prospective resources. At the same time, the resources were calculated on the basis of the current limit values of the parameters that define the hard coal deposit and its borders, however the minimum bed thickness was accepted as 1.0 m due to the current technological and economic exploitation conditions. Only for LCB, in the border area with Lwów-Wołyń Basin, in which beds with the thickness of 0.6 m are being exploited, such thickness was maintained as the minimal. The total prognostic resources of hard coal in Poland as of 31 December 2018 amounted to 17,004.82 million tonnes and prospective resources to 26,914.19 million tonnes. In particular coal basins the resources were as follows: LSCB – 100.00 million tonnes of prospective resources (of a hypothetical character); USCB – 4,616.17 million tonnes of prognostic resources and 20,926.58 million tonnes of prospective resources; – LCB – 12,388.65 million tonnes of prognostic resources and 5,887.61 million tonnes of prospective resources.

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

* Jureczka J., Ihnatowicz A., Kotlarek P., Krieger W., Młynarczyk M., 2020 – Węgiel kamienny (hard coal). In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 99-112. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2018

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. In Europe this province forms two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). The exploitation of coal is being carried out in two of these basins (USCB and LCB). In the third of them (LSCB), the exploitation was run in the past and all of five deposits have been abandoned for about 20 years. For the last couple of years there have been searching and exploring works carried out in this basin resulting in a documentation of 2 new deposits: in 2014 – Nowa Ruda Pole Piast Rejon Wacław-Lech deposit and in 2016 – Heddi II deposit.

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except of 1 mine – Bogdanka. The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². At present, anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 80.33 % of domestic resources of Poland.

In the LCB area there is only one mine which is carrying out the exploitation (Bogdanka). Documented deposits within LCB cover the area of 1,200 km², whereas prospective resources the area of 9,100 km². The only active mine is exploiting one deposit at the moment – Bogdanka, whereas in the case of LZW – obszar K-3 deposit the activation process is being carried out. Both of these deposits cover the area of 92 km² (it accounts for 0.9 % of total LCB area).

In the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) mining operations were phased out in the year 2000, along with the closing works in the last active coal field – Słupiec (of the Nowa Ruda mine). The coal production ceased in LSCB due to the difficult geological-mining conditions which resulted in clearly excessive exploitation costs. The anticipated economic resources meeting the anticipated economic parameters left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated sub-economic. The abandoned anticipated sub-economic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new ‘deposit criteria’ (balance criteria). The calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 423.98 million tonnes.

Due to the specific geological conditions and the differences in the geological exploration and mining development, the depth of a resources perspective varies between coal basins in Poland and amounts to: 1,600 m in LSCB, 1,250/1,300-1,500 m in USCB and 1,250 m in LCB. Total hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2010*. As a result of the prospecting, exploration and documenting works carried out in the last few years new resources have been documented and therefore such volumes could change. In the coming years a new perspective balance of raw materials in Poland would be elaborated, taking into account the latest data.

The anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2018 amount to 61,436 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost 3/4 of the resources (69.60 %) and coke coals – above 1/4 (29.12 %) whereas the participation of other types of coals remains negligible (1.28 %). Resources of the exploited hard coal deposits are equal 22,308 million tonnes, accounting for 36.31 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There were 3 new deposits documented within USCB area in 2018 – Bobrek-Miechowice 2, Centrum 1 and Jas-Mos 1, which were partly allocated from already existing deposits.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2018 anticipated economic resources of hard coal increased by 940,620 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The reasons were:

• the resources growth due to the documentation of new deposits within USCB area (+321,062 thousand tonnes): Bobrek-Miechowice 2 (+869 thousand tonnes), Centrum 1 (+205,886 thousand tonnes) and Jas-Mos 1 (+114,307 thousand tonnes);
• the resources growth due to the new documentations with recalculated resources accepted for 4 already documented deposits (+891,525 thousand tonnes): Jas-Mos (+297 thousand tonnes), Pniówek (+624,368 thousand tonnes), Sośnica (+266,797 thousand tonnes) and Śląsk-Pole Panewnickie (+63 thousand tonnes);
• the resources drop due to the new documentations with recalculated resources accepted for 3 deposits (−184,448 thousand tonnes): Byczyna (−3,083 thousand tonnes), Centrum (−180,616 thousand tonnes) and Śląsk (−749 thousand tonnes);
• the resources drop caused by the exploitation and losses.

In 2018 there were also new documentations for 3 already documented deposits approved without the resources changes – Bobrek-Miechowice, Krupiński and Makoszowy.

In 2018 anticipated economic resources covered by the detailed exploration (categories A, B, C₁) totaled 28,089.88 million tonnes, accounting for 45.72 % of total anticipated economic resources. The resources documented in a C₂ category accounted for 51.23 % (31,476.73 million tonnes) and in a D category for 3.04 % (1,869.61 million tonnes).

Economic resources of mines calculated in the deposit development plans amounted as of the end of 2018 to 3,605.45 million tonnes, increasing by 404,574 thousand tonnes in relation to the year 2017. The resources changes were the result of new deposit development plans elaboration, the supplements for such plans and the result of the exploitation and losses. In 2018 such plans and supplements were worked out for 17 deposits of which in the case of 7 deposits economic resources increased despite the running exploitation – the growth were equal 549,521 thousand tonnes. The economic resources are currently calculated within a reference to the duration of the concession for the raw material exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be significantly bigger.

The updating of the economic resources volume base will be regularly carried out in consecutive deposit development plans.

According to the production data supplied by the operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2018 – the total output equaled 63,883 thousand tonnes, increasing by 7,059 thousand tonnes (12.42 %) in relation to the previous year (Table 2).

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2018.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur – from energy coals (type 31) to coke coals (type 38) and sometimes (mainly in LSCB) anthracite (type 41). In USCB deposits the mean ash content varies from 4.00 % to 23.00 % and total sulfur content from 0.40 % to 6.70 %, whereas in LSCB deposits from 10.10 % to 38.77 % and from 0.69 % to 1.61 %, respectively. In LCB mainly energy coal up to gas-coke coal occur (types 31-34). In LCB deposits mean ash content amounts within the range of 6.15-20.71 % and sulphur content 1.28-3.12 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

*Jureczka J., Zdanowski A., Ihnatowicz A., Krieger W., Wilk S., 2011 – Węgiel kamienny. In: Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r. (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 51-62. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2017

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. In Europe this province forms two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). The exploitation of coal is being carried out in two of these basins (USCB and LCB). In the third of them (LSCB), the exploitation was run in the past and all of five deposits have been abandoned for about 20 years. For the last couple of years there have been searching and exploring works carried out in this basin resulting in a documentation of 2 new deposits: in 2014 – Nowa Ruda Pole Piast Rejon Wacław-Lech deposit and in 2016 – Heddi II deposit.

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except of 1 mine – Bogdanka. The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². At present, anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 80.00 % of domestic resources of Poland.

In the LCB area there is only one mine which is carrying out the exploitation (Bogdanka). Documented deposits within LCB cover the area of 1,200 km², whereas prospective resources the area of 9,100 km². The only active mine is exploiting one deposit at the moment – Bogdanka, whereas in the case of LZW – obszar K-3 deposit the activation process is being carried out. Both of these deposit cover the area of 92 km² (it accounts for 0.9 % of total LCB area). In 2017, there was the concession for the exploitation of Ostrów deposit issued by the Minister of the Environment.

In the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) mining operations were phased out in the year 2000, along with the closing works in the last active coal field – Słupiec (of the Nowa Ruda mine). The coal production ceased in LSCB due to the difficult geological-mining conditions and resulting in clearly excessive exploitation costs. The anticipated economic resources meeting the anticipated economic parameters left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated sub-economic. The abandoned anticipated sub-economic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new ‘deposit criteria’ (balance criteria). The calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 423.98 million tonnes.

Due to the specific geological conditions and the differences in the geological exploration and mining development, the depth of a resources perspective varies between coal basins in Poland and amounts to: 1,600 m in LSCB, 1,250/1,300-1,500 m in USCB and 1,250 m in LCB. Total hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2010*. As a result of the prospecting, exploration and documenting works carried out in the last few years new resources have been documented and therefore such volumes could change. In the coming years a new perspective balance of raw materials in Poland would be elaborated, taking into account the latest data.

The anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2017 totaled 60,496 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost 3/4 of the resources (70.67 %) and coke coals – above 1/4 (28.03 %) whereas the participation of other types of coals remains negligible (1.30 %). Resources of the exploited coal deposits were equal 22,497 million tonnes, accounting for 37.19 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There was 1 new deposit documented within USCB area in 2017 – Rydułtowy 1.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2017 anticipated economic resources increased by 1,917,159 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The reasons were:

• the resources growth due to the documentation of 1 new deposit within USCB area – Rydułtowy 1 (+1,158.57 million tonnes);
• the resources growth due to the new documentations with recalculated resources accepted for 4 already documented deposits (+1,030.06 million tonnes): Budryk (+373.65 million tonnes), Bytom III (+3.99 million tonnes), Ostrów (+397.93 million tonnes) and Zofiówka (+254.49 million tonnes);
• the resources drop due to the new documentations with recalculated resources accepted for 3 deposits (−221.48 million tonnes): Jejkowice (−143.26 million tonnes), Rydułtowy (−2.21 million tonnes) and Rymer (−76.01 million tonnes);
• resources drop caused by the exploitation and losses.

In 2017, anticipated economic resources covered by the detailed exploration (categories A, B, C₁ of the Polish classification of resources) totaled 27,389.08 million tonnes, accounting for 45.28 % of total anticipated economic resources. Resources documented in a C₂ category accounted for 51.63 % (31,234.71 million tonnes) and in a D category for 3.09 % (1,871.81 million tonnes).

Economic resources of mines – as shown in the approved deposit development plans – were equal 3,200.87 million tonnes, increasing by 218.15 million tonnes in relation to the year 2016. The resources changes were a result of new deposit development plans elaboration, the supplements for such plans and a result of the exploitation and losses. In 2017 such plans and supplements were worked out for 16 deposits of which in the case of 5 deposits economic resources increased despite the running exploitation (the total growth equal 347.22 million tonnes). Economic resources are currently calculated within a reference to the duration of the concession for the raw material exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be significantly bigger.

According to the production data supplied by the operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2017 – the total output equaled 56,824 thousand tonnes, decreasing by 9,660 thousand tonnes (14.53 %) in relation to the previous year (Table 2).

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2017.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur – from energy coals (type 31) to coke coals (type 38) and sometimes (mainly in LSCB) anthracite (type 41). In USCB the mean ash content in particular coal types varies from 4.00 % to 62.00 % and total sulfur content from 0.36 % to 3.48 %, in LSCB from 10.10 % to 38.77 % and from 0.69 % to 1.61 %, respectively. In LCB mainly energy coal up to gas-coke coal occur (types 31-34). In LCB mean ash content amounts within the range of 6.15 %-20.71 % and sulphur content 1.28 %-3.12 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

*Jureczka J., Zdanowski A., Ihnatowicz A., Krieger W., Wilk S., 2011 – Węgiel kamienny. In: Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r. (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 51-62. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2016

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. In Europe this province is represented by two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). The exploitation of coal is being carried out in two of these basins (USCB and LCB). In the third of them (LSCB), the exploitation was run in the past and all of five deposits remain abandoned. For the last couple of years there have been searching and exploring works carried out in this basin resulting in a documentation of two new deposits: Nowa Ruda Pole Piast Rejon Wacław-Lech and Heddi II.

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except of one large – Bogdanka mine. The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². At present anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 80.23 % of domestic resources of Poland.

In the LCB area there is only one mine which is carrying out the exploitation (Bogdanka mine). Documented deposits within LCB cover the area of 1,200 km², whereas prospective resources the area of 9,100 km². Bogdanka mine exploits two deposits – Bogdanka and LZW – obszar K-3, which cover the area of 92 km² (it accounts for 0.9 % of total LCB area).

In the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) mining operations were phased out in the year 2000, along with closing works in the last active coal field – Słupiec coal field of the Nowa Ruda mine. Coal production ceased in LSCB due to difficult geological-mining conditions and resulting in clearly excessive exploitation costs. The anticipated economic resources left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated sub-economic. The abandoned anticipated sub-economic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new ‘deposit criteria’ (balance criteria). Calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 423.98 million tonnes.

Due to the specific geological conditions the depth of a resources perspective varies between coal basins in Poland and amounts to: 1,600 m in LSCB, 1,250/1,300-1,500 m in USCB and 1,250 m in LCB. Total hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2010*. As a result of prospecting, explorating and documenting works carried out in the last few years new resources have been documented and therefore such volumes could change. In the coming years a new perspective balance of raw materials in Poland would be elaborated, taking into account the latest data.

Anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2016 totaled 58,578 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost 3/4 of the resources (71.56 %) and coke coals – above 1/4 (27.09 %) whereas the share of other types of coals remains negligible (1.35 %). Resources of the exploited coal deposits were equal 22,222 million tonnes, accounting for 37.93 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There were three new deposits documented within USCB area in 2016: Chwałowice 1, Imielin Północ and Marcel 1, whereas only one deposit documented in LSCB area – Heddi II.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2016 anticipated economic resources increased by 2,357,957 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The reasons were:

• resources growth due to the documentation of 4 new deposits (+2,256.24 million tonnes): within LSCB area – Heddi II (+0.93 million tonnes); within USCB area – Chwałowice 1 (+1,223.03 million tonnes), Imielin Północ (+766.23 million tonnes) and Marcel 1 (+266.05 million tonnes);
• resources growth due to the new documentations with recalculations of resources for 3 already documented deposits (+824.65 million tonnes): Bytom I-1 (+2.38 million tonnes), Rydułtowy (+415.66 million tonnes) and Szczygłowice (+406.61 million tonnes);
• resources drop due to the new documentations with recalculations of resources for 3 deposits (−650.15 million tonnes): Anna (−2.00 million tonnes), Chwałowice (−643.75 million tonnes) and Marcel (−4.40 million tonnes);
• resources drop caused by the exploitation and losses.

There were also new documentations – with resources remained unchanged – approved for Bytom II-1 and Centrum deposits (due to the exploitation end) and for Powstańców Śląskich and Powstańców Śląskich 1 (the updating of deposits boundaries).

In 2016, anticipated economic resources covered by detailed exploration (categories A, B, C₁ of the Polish classification of resources) totaled 26,410.94 million tonnes, accounting for 45.09 % of total anticipated economic resources. Resources documented in C₂ category accounted for 51.61 % and in D category for 3.30 %.

Economic resources of mined deposits as shown in the approved mine management plans were equal 2,982.72 million tonnes, decreasing by 590.97 million tonnes in relation to the year 2015 due to the exploitation, losses and new mine management plans. These resources are currently calculated with a reference to the duration of the concession for exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be much bigger.

According to the production data supplied by operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2016 – total production equaled 66,484 thousand tonnes, increasing by 1,414 thousand tonnes (2.17 %) in relation to the previous year (Table 2).

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2016.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur. There is energy coal (type 31), coke coal (type 38) and sometimes anthracite (type 42). In USCB mean ash content varies from 4.2 % to 62 % and sulfur content from 0.4 % to 3.5 %, in LCB from 10.1 % to 38.77 % and from 0.69 % to 1.61 %, respectively. In LCB mainly energy coal and gas-coke coal occur (types 31-34). In LSCB mean ash content amounts within the range of 6.15 %-18.11 % and sulphur content 1.35-3.12 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

*Jureczka J., Zdanowski A., Ihnatowicz A., Krieger W., Wilk S., 2011 – Węgiel kamienny. In: Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r. (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 51-62. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2015

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. The province in Europe is represented by two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). Exploitation of coal is being continued in the first two of these basins (USCB and LCB). The third, Lower Silesian Coal Basin, is at present of historical value only.

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except of one large Bogdanka mine. The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². At present anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 78.9 % of domestic resources of Poland.

In the LCB area there is only one mine which is carrying out the exploitation (Bogdanka mine). Documented deposits within LCB cover the area of 1,200 km², whereas prospective resources the area of 9,100 km². Bogdanka mine exploits two deposits – Bogdanka and LZW – obszar K-3, which cover the area of 92 km² (it accounts for 0.9 % of total LCB area).

Mining operations were phased out in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin in the year 2000, along with closing works in the last active coal field, the Słupiec coal field of the Nowa Ruda mine. Coal production ceased in LSCB due to difficult geological-mining conditions and resulting in excessive exploitation costs. The anticipated economic resources left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated subeconomic. The abandoned anticipated subeconomic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new ‘deposit criteria’ (balance criteria). Calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 423.05 million tonnes.

Hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2009*. In USCB prognostic resources totaled 9,193.4 million tonnes (including 1,081.2 million tonnes of energy coals and 8,112.2 million tonnes of coke coals) and perspective resources totaled 25,533 million tonnes (19,156.8 million tonnes of energy coals and 6,376.2 million tonnes of coke coals). In LCB these resources amounted to 10,847.7 million tonnes and 5,887.6 million tonnes respectively. LSCB prognostic resources equal 0.39 million tonnes (resources of Heddi deposit which was crossed out from ‘The balance...’) and perspective resources amounted to 232 million tonnes (Wałbrzych and Nowa Ruda area).

Anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2015 totaled 56,220 million tonnes. Energy coals represent 71.6 % of the resources, coke coals – 27.0 %, whereas the other types of coals – 1.4 %. Resources of the exploited coal deposits were equal 21,107 million tonnes, accounting for 37.5 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There were five new deposits documented within USCB area: Jan Kanty-Szczakowa, Powstańców Śląskich 1, Siersza 2, Studzienice 1 and Żory-Suszec 1, whereas only one deposit documented in LCB area – Lublin.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2015 anticipated economic resources increased by 4,260,050 thousand tonnes in comparison with the previous year. The reasons were:

• resources growth due to the documentation of 6 new deposits (+4,552.62 million tonnes): within USCB area – Jan Kanty-Szczakowa (+146.53 million tonnes), Powstańców Śląskich 1 (+48.02 million tonnes), Siersza 2 (+202.04 million tonnes), Studzienice 1 (+1,335.56 million tonnes), Żory-Suszec 1 (+542.62 million tonnes) and within LCB area – Lublin (+2,277.85 million tonnes);
• resources growth due to the new documentations with recalculations of resources for 8 already documented deposits where resources increased (+1,865.64 million tonnes): Borynia (+635.66 million tonnes), Brzeszcze (+298.27 million tonnes), Halemba II (+246.00 million tonnes), Janina (+125.91 million tonnes), Kazimierz Juliusz (+34.38 million tonnes), Paruszowiec (+138.32 million tonnes), Śmiłowice (+224.66 million tonnes) and Lublin K-9 (+162.44 million tonnes);
• resources drop due to crossing 3 deposits out from "The balance…” (−728.20 million tonnes) – in USCB area Czeczott-pole zachód (−24.92 million tonnes) deposit and in LCB area Lublin K-4 i K-5 (−453.02 million tonnes) and Lublin K-9 (−250.26 million tonnes) deposits;
• resources drop due to the new documentations with recalculations of resources for 7 deposits (−1,354.71 million tonnes): Jan Kanty (−57.56 million tonnes), Międzyrzecze (−35.18 million tonnes), Pokój (−1.38 million tonnes), Powstańców Śląskich (−22.88 million tonnes), Siersza (−108.40 million tonnes), Studzienice (−728.89 million tonnes) and Żory-Suszec (−400.42 million tonnes);
• resources drop caused by the exploitation and losses.

In 2015, anticipated economic resources covered by detailed exploration (categories A, B, C₁ of the Polish classification of resources) totaled 24,933.62 million tonnes, accounting for 44.3 % of total anticipated economic resources.

Economic resources of mined deposits as shown in the approved mine management plans were equal 3,573.69 million tonnes, decreasing by 189.93 million tonnes in relation to the year 2014 due to the exploitation, losses and new mine management plans. These resources are currently calculated with reference to the duration of the concession for exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be much bigger.

According to the production data supplied by operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2015 – total production equaled 65,070 thousand tonnes, decreasing by 899 thousand tonnes (1.4 %) in relation to the previous year (Table 2).

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2015.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur. There is energy coal (type 31), coke coal (type 38) and sometimes anthracite (type 42). Mean ash content varies from 4.2-62.0 % and sulfur content – 0.4-64.0 %. In LCB mainly energy coal and coke coal occur (types 31-34). Mean ash content varies from 6.2 to 18.1 % and sulfur content – from 1.4 to 3.1 %. In LSCB mean ash content amounts within the range of 10.1-38.8 % and sulphur content – 0.7-1.6 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

*Jureczka J., Zdanowski A., Ihnatowicz A., Krieger W., Wilk S., 2011 – Węgiel kamienny. In: Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r. (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 51-62. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2014

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. In Europe this province is represented by two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). Exploitation of coal is being continued in the first two of these basins (USCB and LCB). The third, Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB), is at present of historical value only.

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except one large Bogdanka mine. The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². At present anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 80.8 % of domestic resources of Poland. The Bogdanka mine, the first and the only mine operating in LCB, exploits a deposit occupying an area of about 77 km², which corresponds to 8 % of total area of LCB. Mining operations were phased out in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) in the year 2000, along with closing works in the last active coal field, the Słupiec coal field of the Nowa Ruda mine. Coal production ceased in LSCB due to difficult geological-mining conditions resulting with excessive exploitation costs. The anticipated economic resources left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated subeconomic. The abandoned anticipated subeconomic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new ‘deposit criteria’ (balance criteria). Calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 423.05 million tonnes.

Hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2010⁽¹⁾. In USCB prognostic resources totaled 9,193.4 million tonnes (including 1,081.2 million tonnes of energy coals and 8,112.2 million tonnes of coke coals) and perspective resources totaled 25,533 million tonnes (19,156.8 million tonnes of energy coals and 6,376.2 million tonnes of coke coals). In LCB these resources amounted to 10,847.7 million tonnes and 5,887.6 million tonnes respectively. LSCB prognostic resources equal 0.39 million tonnes (resources of Heddi deposits which was crossed out from ‘The balance...’) and perspective resources amounted to 232 million tonnes (Wałbrzych and Nowa Ruda area).

The anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2014 totaled 51,960 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost ¾ of the resources and coke coals – about ¼ whereas the share of other types of coals remains negligible. Resources of the exploited coal deposits were equal 19,853 million tonnes, accounting for 38.2 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There was one new deposit documented within LSCB area (Nowa Ruda Pole Piast Rejon Wacław-Lech) and there were four new deposits within USCB documented in 2014: Barbara-Chorzów 2, Brzezinka 3, Bzie-Dębina 2 and Jan Kanty 2.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2014 anticipated economic resources increased by 545.95 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. That was mainly due to the documentation of 5 new deposits (+723.28 million tonnes): Nowa Ruda Pole Piast Rejon Wacław-Lech (+179.3 million tonnes), Barbara-Chorzów 2 (+39.51 million tonnes), Brzezinka 3 (+90.76 million tonnes), Bzie-Dębina 2 (+347.58 million tonnes) and Jan Kanty 2 (+66.13 million tonnes). There were accepted new documentations with recalculations of resources for 3 already documented deposits where resources increased (+268.10 million tonnes): Brzeziny (+7.49 million tonnes), Jankowice (+180.23 million tonnes) and Kazimierz-Juliusz (+80.38 million tonnes). For two deposits there were new mine management plans approved with increased resources (+211.76 million tonnes): Byczyna (+123.49 million tonnes) and Knurów (+88.27 million tonnes). There were 5 deposits crossed out from ‘The balance…’ (−190.91 million tonnes): – within LSCB Nowa Ruda (rej.Lech) (−32.10 million tonnes) and Nowa Ruda (rej.Wacław) (−83.89 million tonnes) deposits; – within USCB Barbara-Chorzów 1 (−20.88 million tonnes), Jan Kanty 1 (−49.60 million tonnes) and Libiąż III (−4.44 million tonnes) deposits. There were also approved new documentations with recalculated resources for 5 already documented deposits where resources decreased (−416.99 million tonnes): Barbara-Chorzów (−18.59 million tonnes), Brzezinka 2 (−92.72 million tonnes), Bytom I (−19.12 million tonnes), Bzie-Dębina 1 (−270.80 million tonnes) and LZW – obszar K-3 (−15.76 million tonnes).

In 2014, anticipated economic resources covered by detailed exploration (categories A, B and C₁ of the Polish classification of resources) totaled 21,604.57 million tonnes, accounting for 41.6 % of total anticipated economic resources.

Economic resources of mined deposits as shown in the approved mine management plans were equal 3,763.62 million tonnes, decreasing by 75.91 million tonnes in relation to the year 2013. These resources are currently calculated with reference to the duration of the concession for exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be much bigger.

According to the production data supplied by operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2014 – total production equaled 65,969 thousand tonnes, decreasing by 2,430 thousand tonnes in relation to the previous year.

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2014.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur. There is energy coal, coke coal and sometimes anthracite (especially in LSCB). Mean ash content in USCB deposits varies from 4.16 % to 62 % and sulfur content from 0.4 % to 64 %. In LSCB deposits it is from 10.1 % to 38.77 % mean ash content and from 0.69 % to 1.61 % sulfur content. In LCB mainly energy coal occur. Mean ash content amounts from 6.15 % to 18.11 % and sulfur content varies from 1.35 % to 3.12 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

⁽¹⁾Jureczka J., Zdanowski A., Ihnatowicz A., Krieger W., Wilk S., 2011 – Węgiel kamienny. In: Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r. (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 51-62. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2013

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. In Europe this province is represented by two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). Exploitation of coal is being continued in the first two of these basins (USCB and LCB). The third, Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB), is at present of historical value only.

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except one large Bogdanka mine. The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². At present anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 80.1 % of domestic resources of Poland. The Bogdanka mine, the first and the only mine operating in LCB, exploits a deposit occupying an area of about 77 km², which corresponds to 0.8 % of total area of LCB. Mining operations were phased out in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) in the year 2000, along with closing works in the last active coal field, the Słupiec coal field of the Nowa Ruda mine. Coal production ceased in LSCB due to difficult geological-mining conditions mining and resulting clearly excessive exploitation costs. The anticipated economic resources left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated subeconomic. The abandoned anticipated sub-economic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new ‘deposit criteria’ (balance criteria). Calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 359.72 million tonnes.

Hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2010⁽¹⁾. In USCB prognostic resources totaled 9,193.4 million tonnes (including 1,081.2 million tonnes of energy coals and 8,112.2 million tonnes of coke coals) and perspective resources totaled 25,533 million tonnes (19,156.8 million tonnes of energy coals and 6,376.2 million tonnes of coke coals). In LCB these resources amounted to 10,847.7 million tonnes and 5,887.6 million tonnes respectively. LSCB prognostic resources equal 0.39 million tonnes (resources of Heddi deposits which was crossed out of ‘The balance...’) and perspective resources amounted to 232 million tonnes (Wałbrzych and Nowa Ruda area).

The anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2013 totaled 51,414 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost ¾ of the resources and coke coals – about ¼ whereas the share of other types of coals remains negligible. Resources of the exploited coal deposits were equal 19,485 million tonnes, accounting for 37.9 % of the total anticipated economic resources. There were 5 new deposits documented in 2013: Anna 1, Brzezinka 1, Dąb, Oświęcim-Polanka 1 and Śmiłowice.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2013 anticipated economic resources increased by 3,188.87 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. That was mainly due to the documentation of 5 new deposits: Anna 1 (with resources equal 1.43), Brzezinka 1 (152.26 million tonnes), Dąb (1,085.87 million tonnes), Oświęcim-Polanka 1 (534 million tonnes) and Śmiłowice (512.96). There were accepted new documentations with recalculations of resources for 7 already documented deposits where resources increased: Anna, Bzie-Dębina 1 – Zachód, Chudów-Paniowy, LZW – obszar K-3, LZW – obszar K-6 I K-7, Oświęcim-Polanka and Zator. There were also approved new documentations with recalculated resources for 5 already documented deposits where resources decreased: Brzezinka, Byczyna, Knurów, Libiąż-Janina and Mikołów. One deposit – Libiąż-Dąb (with resources equal 11.37 million tonnes) – was crossed out of ‘The balance..’.

In 2013, anticipated economic resources covered by detailed exploration (categories A, B and C₁ of the Polish classification of resources) totaled 21,186.74 million tonnes, accounting for 41.2 % of total anticipated economic resources.

Economic resources of mined deposits as shown in the approved mine management plans were equal 3,839.63 million tonnes, decreasing by 370.96 million tonnes in relation to the year 2012. These resources are currently calculated with reference to the duration of the concession for exploitation thus their real volume in some deposits may be much bigger.

According to the production data supplied by operators of individual hard coal mines – as of the end of 2013 – total production equaled 68,399 thousand tonnes, decreasing by 2,940 thousand tonnes in relation to the previous year.

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2013.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur. There is energy coal, coke coal and sometimes anthracite. Mean ash content varies from 11 % to 17 % and sulfur content from 0.59 % to 2.3 %. In LCB mainly energy coal and coke coal occur. Mean ash content amounts for 14.63 % and sulfur content vary from 1.21 % to 1.46 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

⁽¹⁾ J. Jureczka i inni, 2011 – ‘Węgiel kamienny’ in ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ pod red. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik. PIG-PIB Warszawa.

2012

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. In Europe this province is represented by two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). Exploitation of coal is being continued in the first two of these basins (USCB and LCB). The third, Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB), is at present of historical value only.

The Upper Silesia Coal Basin (USCB) is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except one large Bogdanka mine. The latter is a single mine operating in the Lublin Coal Basin (LCB). Mining operations were phased out in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) in the year 2000, along with closing works in the last active coal field, the Słupiec coal field of the Nowa Ruda mine. Coal production ceased in LSCB due to difficult geological-mining conditions mining and resulting clearly excessive exploitation costs.

The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². The currently exploited coal deposits occupy about 20 % (about 1,106 km²) of that area, reserve deposits with resources proved by detail exploration (category C₁ in Polish classification) – 600 km² (11 %), reserve deposits with resources covered by preliminary exploration (category C₂ and D in Polish classification) – 500 km² (9 %), and exhausted and abandoned deposits – 800 km² (15 %). Prospective resources explored to the depths of 1,250-1,300 m occupy about 23 % (1,291 km²) of total area of USCB. The remaining parts of the coal basin mainly include areas with prognostic resources occurring at depths exceeding 1,000 m and unperspective peripheral areas. At present anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 80.1 % of domestic resources of Poland.

Coal resources of LCB remained at the early stages of development as prospecting and exploration works were not intensified in the last decades. This results in relatively poor geological knowledge of the Lublin basin, especially its boundaries. The available data make it possible to assume that the perspective coal resources are spread over an area of about 9,100 km². Documented deposits cover the area of about 1,000 km². The Bogdanka mine, the first and the only mine operating in LCB, exploits a deposit occupying an area of about 77 km², which corresponds to 0.8 % of total area of LCB. Reserve fields covered by detailed exploration occupy an area of 300 km² and those covered by preliminary exploration – 600 km². As shown by the latest data, the anticipated economic resources of LCB account for about 19.2 % of anticipated economic resources of Poland.

The anticipated economic resources left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated subeconomic. The abandoned anticipated sub-economic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new ‘deposit criteria’ (balance criteria). Calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 359.72 million tonnes.

Hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2009. In USCB prognostic resources totaled 9,193.4 million tonnes (including 1,081.2 million tonnes of energy coals and 8,112.2 million tonnes of coke coals) and perspective resources totaled 25,533 million tonnes (19,156.8 million tonnes of energy coals and 6,376.2 million tonnes of coke coals). In LCB these resources amounted to 10,847.7 million tonnes and 5,887.6 million tonnes respectively. LSCB prognostic resources equal 0.39 million tonnes (resources of Heddi deposits which was crossed out of ‘The balance of mineral resources deposits in Poland’) and perspective resources amounted to 232 million tonnes (Wałbrzych and Nowa Ruda area).

The anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2012 totaled 48,226 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost ¾ of the resources and coke coals – about ¼ whereas the share of other types of coals remains negligible. Resources of the exploited coal deposits were equal 19,131 million tonnes, accounting for 39.7 % of the total anticipated economic resources.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2012 anticipated economic resources decreased by 315.23 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. That was mainly due to the documentations of six deposits (accepted in 2004 but not included in ‘The balance…’) – these documentations were prepared in order of the Minister of Environment within ‘The verification of non-exploited hard coal deposits in USCB’ – phase II, covering 16 deposits. This recalculation resulted in anticipated economic resources decrease at 934.29 million tonnes in following deposits: Anna-Pole Południowe, Studzienice, Oświęcim-Polanka, Ćwiklice and Dankowice. There was also the Rybnik-Jastrzębie deposit crossed out of ‘The balance…’ in 2012.

In 2012, anticipated economic resources covered by detailed exploration (categories A, B and C₁ of the Polish classification of resources) totaled 20,213.62 million tonnes, accounting for 41.9 % of total anticipated economic resources.

Economic resources of mined deposits as shown in the approved mine management plans were equal 4,210.59 million tonnes, increasing by 32.14 million tonnes in relation to the year 2011.

According to the production data for the end of 2012 as supplied by operators of individual hard coal mines, total production equaled 71,339 thousand tonnes, increasing by 3,702 thousand tonnes in relation to the previous year.

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2012.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur. There is energy coal, coke coal and sometimes anthracite. Mean ash content varies from 11 % to 17 % and sulfur content from 0.59 % to 2.3 %. In LCB mainly energy coal and coke coal occur. Mean ash content amounts for 14.63 % and sulfur content vary from 1.21 % to 1.46 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

2011

Polish hard coal deposits belong to the Carboniferous Euro-American coal province. In Europe this province is represented by two belts of coal basins: a belt of paralic coal basins that originated near the sea in depressions along the front of the Variscan fold belt which was forming in these times, and that of limnic basins, with coals accumulating in closed basins and intermontane depressions with disconnected internal river systems. In Poland, coal deposits of the Carboniferous age occur in three basins (map): two basins of the paralic type – the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) and Lublin Coal Basin (LCB), and one of the limnic type – the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB). Exploitation of coal is being continued in the first two of these basins (USCB and LCB). The third, Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB), is at present of historical value only.

The Upper Silesia Coal Basin (USCB) is the major coal basin in Poland. This is the area where all of the operating coal mines are situated except one large Bogdanka mine. The latter is a single mine operating in the Lublin Coal Basin (LCB). Mining operations were phased out in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) in the year 2000, along with closing works in the last active coal field, the Słupiec coal field of the Nowa Ruda mine. Coal production ceased in LSCB due to difficult geological-mining conditions mining and resulting clearly excessive exploitation costs.

The area of Polish part of USCB is estimated at about 5,600 km². The currently exploited coal deposits occupy about 20 % (about 1,106 km²) of that area, reserve deposits with resources proved by detail exploration (category C₁ in Polish classification) – 622 km² (11 %), reserve deposits with resources covered by preliminary exploration (category C₂ and D in Polish classification) – 515 km² (9 %), and exhausted and abandoned deposits – 842 km² (15 %). Prospective resources explored to the depths of 1,250-1,300 m occupy about 23 % of total area of USCB. The remaining parts of the coal basin mainly include areas with prognostic resources occurring at depths exceeding 1,000 m and unperspective peripheral areas. At present anticipated economic resources of USCB account for about 80.2 % of domestic resources of Poland.

Coal resources of LCB remained at the early stages of development as prospecting and exploration works were not intensified in the last decades. This results in relatively poor geological knowledge of the Lublin basin, especially its boundaries. The available data make it possible to assume that the perspective coal resources are spread over an area of about 9,100 km². The Bogdanka mine, the first and the only mine operating in LCB, exploits a deposit occupying an area of about 77 km², which corresponds to 0.8 % of total area of LCB. Reserve fields covered by detailed exploration occupy an area of 339 km² and those covered by preliminary exploration – 606 km². As shown by the latest data, the anticipated economic resources of LCB account for about 20.9 % of anticipated economic resources of Poland.

The anticipated economic resources left in the abandoned mining fields of LSCB were reclassified as anticipated subeconomic. The abandoned anticipated sub-economic coal resources in LSCB were estimated at about 369 million tonnes. In 2011, in order of the Ministry of the Environment, there was the verification of the resources remained in abandoned deposits elaborated. The resources were recalculated according to the new criteria. Calculations applied also to seven LSCB deposits and new anticipated economic resources are now equal 359.72 million tonnes.

Polish coal mines has been subjected to restructuring and rationalization since the start of process of transformation of the national economy at the end of the 1980s. In consecutive years total anticipated economic resources of coals began to decrease steadily due to exploitation and associated mining losses and, on much larger scale, verification and reclassification of the resources in result of adjustments of the mining sector to requirements of free-market economy. The decrease was the largest in the case of resources of USCB and LSCB. These factors resulted also in decrease of coal production from over 150 to about 96 million tonnes in the years 1990-2003 and 67.6 million tonnes at the end of 2011.

Hard coal prognostic resources in Poland amounted to 20,041.7 million tonnes and perspective resources amounted to 31,652.7 million tonnes as of 31 December 2010⁽¹⁾. In USCB prognostic resources totaled 9,193.4 million tonnes (including 1,081.2 million tonnes of energy coals and 8,112.2 million tonnes of coke coals) and perspective resources totaled 25,533 million tonnes (19,156.8 million tonnes of energy coals and 6,376.2 million tonnes of coke coals). In LCB these resources amounted to 10,847.7 million tonnes and 5,887.6 million tonnes respectively. LSCB prognostic resources equal 0.39 million tonnes (resources of Heddi deposits which was crossed out of the ‘Annual Report of Mineral Reserves/Resources and Groundwater Resources in Poland’) and perspective resources amounted to 232 million tonnes (Wałbrzych and Nowa Ruda area).

The anticipated economic resources as of 31 December 2011 totaled 48,541 million tonnes. Energy coals represent almost ¾ of the resources and coke coals – about ¼ whereas the share of other types of coals remains negligible. Resources of the exploited coal deposits were equal 17,606 million tonnes, accounting for 36.3 % of the total anticipated economic resources.

Table 1 shows total hard coal resources and the current state of their exploration and development in Poland.

Table 1. Hard coal – million tonnes

In 2011 anticipated economic resources increased significantly by 3,396.98 million tonnes in comparison with the previous year. That was mainly due to the verification (mentioned above) of the resources remained in abandoned deposits. There were new calculations made for 38 hard coal deposits from USCB and LSCB. Due to these calculations anticipated economic resources increased by 2,947.84 million tonnes and 359.72 million tonnes respectively. According to new ‘deposit criteria’ anticipated sub-economic resources have been included to anticipated economic resources. Anticipated economic resources increased also due to new documentation prepared for 4 new deposits: Barbara-Chorzów 1 (20.88 million tonnes), Jan Kanty 1 (49.60 million tonnes), Kazimierz-Juliusz 1 (61.18 million tonnes) and Żory-Warszowice (151.92 million tonnes).

In 2011, anticipated economic resources covered by detailed exploration (categories A, B and C₁ of the Polish classification of resources) totaled 19,614.46 million tonnes, accounting for 40.4 % of total sum of anticipated economic resources.

Economic resources of mined deposits as shown in the approved mine management plans were equal 4,178.45 million tonnes, decreasing by 85.77 million tonnes in relation to the year 2010.

According to the production data for the end of 2011 as supplied by operators of individual hard coal mines, total production equaled 67,637 thousand tonnes, decreasing by 1,552 thousand tonnes in relation to the previous year.

The figure given below shows changes in resources and production of hard coal in Poland in the years 1989-2011.

In USCB all technological types of hard coal occur. There is energy coal, coke coal and sometimes anthracite. Mean ash content varies from 11 % to 17 % and sulfur content from 0.59 % to 2.3 %. In LCB mainly energy coal and coke coal occur. Mean ash content amounts for 14.63 % and sulfur content varies from 1.21 % to 1.46 %.

Table 2. List of hard coal deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński

⁽¹⁾ J. Jureczka i inni, 2011 – ‘Węgiel kamienny’ w ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ pod red. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik. PIG-PIB Warszawa.