For years, the Polish hard coal mining has been struggling with the problem of fire hazards in

areas with coal residue, mainly in goafs. Currently, a common method of limiting this hazard is the

fire prevention involving use of fine-grained hydromixtures based on power generation waste, mainly

fly ashes. The hydromixture is introduced into the caving zone created by the advancement of exploitation

face and its task is to fill in voids, limiting the possibility of access to the mine air oxygen to

a minimum. The first part of the article presents theoretical fundamentals of determining the parameters

of gravitational hydraulic transport of water and ash hydromixtures used in the mining pipeline

systems. Each hydromixture produced based on fine-grained wastes is characterized by specified

rheological parameters that have a direct impact on the future flow parameters of a given pipeline

system. Additionally, the gravitational character of the hydraulic transport generates certain limitations

concerning the so-called correct hydraulic profile of the system in relation to the applied hydromixture

characterized by required rheological parameters that should ensure safe flow at a correct

efficiency. This paper shows an example of optimisation of the composition of a selected fly ash-water

hydromixture in relation to its capacity for hydrotransport in gravity pipeline installations, as well as

the amount of excess water that will always drain from the location of feeding the hydromixture to

the underground workings.

The floristic investigations were conducted on three spoil heaps situated in the town of Ruda Śląska. The aim of the study was to determine similarities and differences among spoil heaps based on qualitative and quantitative analyses of the flora. There were 248 species of vascular plants observed on the investigated objects. The native species (apophytes) dominate in the spoil heaps flora (above 80%). The most numerous life forms are hernicryptophytes. The rudera) and meadow species are the most abundant among ecological groups. The analysis of the ecological indicators shows predominance of heliophilous species, which prefer temperate thermal and moisture conditions. The investigated flora demonstrates large tolerance spectrum of trophism and pH of soil.

The article contains considerations on possible actions directed at increasing productivity of hard

coal mining industry. It is necessary to improve the state of the industry, and ensure its survival. Basic

definitions and measures concerning productivity and management were presented to illustrate examples

referring to a mining enterprise. Then, basing on organizing, one of the management functions, the issue

of productivity in a mining enterprise and its influence on improving effectiveness of operational management,

was analysed. An assumption was presented that solutions concerning identification of sources

and volume of costs, hitherto existing in mining enterprises, ought to be complemented with the planning

function following process approach. It can be the starting point for decisions of economic feasibility of

given deposits, seams or parts of them, before mining operations start, and to control incurred costs in

process approach. The article is summed up with a process algorithm of cost management.

All the restructuring programs that have been implemented in Polish bituminous coal mining as a primary way to reduce mining costs relied on the increased concentration of mining operations. Those efforts especially involved a significant simplification of existing or newly developed structures for accessing or cutting the deposits intended for extraction; implementation of advanced mining technologies, and upgrading of machines used in mine faces. However, in order for these to deliver the expected results, it is important to organize mining operations in such a way so that those advanced, and usually very expensive, mining-related fixed assets – machinery and equipment – are used sensibly. In order to define a reasonable production capacity of each longwall face, it is necessary to apply various criteria related to the mining and technical aspects, occupational safety, and organizational and economic aspects. Only then will it be possible to evaluate the expected effects in the field of concentration of mining in a mining company and in the mines which form part of such enterprises. Decisions in this respect should always be made at the planning stage, based on analysis results. The aim of this article is to explore the factors involved in concentration-related decision-making in mining companies, including the underlying mining/technical, organizational, and economic/ /financial aspects. A mining company is understood as a group of related mines, the primary business operations of which include bituminous coal mining, processing, and trading.

This article presents the use of a multi-criterion Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to assess

geological and mining condition nuisance in longwall mining operations in selected coal mines in Poland.

For this purpose, a methodology has been developed which was used to calculate the operational nuisance

indicator (WUe) in relation to the cost of mining coal in individual longwalls. Components of the aggregate

operational nuisance indicator include four sub-indicators: the natural hazards indicator (UZN), an

indicator describing the seam parameters (UPZ), an indicator describing the technical parameters (UT)

and an environmental impact indicator (UŚ). In total, the impact of 28 different criteria, which formed

particular components of the nuisance indicators were analysed. In total 471 longwalls in 11 coal mines

were analysed, including 277 longwalls that were mined in the period of 2011 to 2016 and 194 longwalls

scheduled for exploitation in the years 2017 to 2021.

Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between nuisance and the operating costs

of longwalls. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between the level of nuisance and the operating

costs of the longwalls under study. The design of the longwall schedule should therefore also take into

account the nuisance arising from the geological and mining conditions of the operations. Selective

operations management allows for the optimization of costs for mining in underground mines using the

longwall system. This knowledge can also be used to reduce the total operating costs of mines as a result

of abandoning the mining operations in entire longwalls or portions of longwalls that may be permanently

unprofitable. Currently, underground mines do not employ this optimization method, which even more

emphasizes the need for popularizing this approach.

The coal exploitation in the Upper Silesia region (along the Vistula River) triggers the strata seismic

activity, characterized by very high energy, which can create mining damage of the surface objects, without

any noticeable damages in the underground mining structures. It is assumed that the appearance of the

high energy seismic events is the result of faults’ activation in the vicinity of the mining excavation. This

paper presents the analysis of a case study of one coal mine, where during exploitation of the longwall

panel no. 729, the high energy seismic events occurred in the faulty neighborhood. The authors had analyzed

the cause of the presented seismic events, described the methods of energy decreasing and applied

methods of prevention in the selected mining region. The analysis concluded that the cause of the high

energy seismic events, during the exploitation of the longwall panel no. 729 was the rapid displacements

on the fault surface. The fault’s movements arose in the overburden, about 250 m above the excavated

longwall panel, and they were strictly connected to the cracking of the thick sandstone layer.

The paper discusses the current situation as well as the perspectives for hard coal extraction in India, a global leader both in terms of hard coal output and import volumes. Despite this, over 300 million people lack access to electricity in this country. The main energy resource of India is hard coal and Coal India Limited (CI L) is the world’s biggest company dealing with hard coal extraction. CI L has over 450 mines, employs over 400,000 people, and extracts ca. 430 million tons of hard coal from its 471 mining facilities. India is planning the decisive development of hard coal mining to extract 1.5 billion tons in 2020. Hard coal output in India can be limited due to the occurrence of various threats, including the methane threat. The biggest methane threat occurs in the mines in the Jharia basin, located in East India (the Jharkhand province), where coal methane content is up to ca. 18 m3/Mg. Obtaining methane from coal seams is becoming a necessity. The paper provides guidelines for the classification of particular levels of the methane threat in Indian’s mines. The results of methane sorption tests, carried by the use of the microgravimetric method on coal from the Moonidih mine were presented. Sorption capacities and the diffusion coefficient of methane on coal were determined. The next step was to determine the possibility of degassing the seam, using numerical methods based on the value of coal diffusion coefficient based on Crank’s diffusion model solution. The aim of this study was the evaluation of coal seam demethanization possibilities. The low diffusivity of coal, combined with a minor network of natural cracks in the seam, seems to preclude foregoing demethanization carried out by means of coal seam drilling, without prior slotting.

In order to fully adapt to market requirements, mining enterprises in recent years have implemented standardized systems for quality, safety and health at work and environmental management. The standards for individual systems define the requirements of applying specific procedures and actions to implement the adopted policy aimed at achieving the assumed goals. The combination of business procedures and practices is more effective in the case of their integration than the activities carried out under separate systems. They then function under the name of an integrated management system (IMS). Properly implemented IMSs most often contributes to a more harmonious functioning of the enterprise and the elimination of recurring activities in the areas concerning individual systems, and thus to the optimization of costs related to their implementation and maintenance. Improving the operational efficiency of the mining enterprise and mines included in it, while maintaining the requirements of work safety and environmental protection. In the conditions of a market economy, improving the efficiency of functioning and providing sources of business financing is a key necefity for mining enterprise (Bąk 2007, 2008). Mines need to be properly managed to survive. The key problem is the design and implementation of an efficient management system and its continuous improvement based on the adequacy of system solutions. This is an answer to the question whether the management system of a mining enterprise (mine) corresponds to its real needs in the process of achieving objectives. Improvement of management systems must be based on an appropriate diagnosis. The aim of the article is to present the original solution, which is a tool for improving the integrated management system in Polish mining enterprises.

The current rockburst hazard conditions in the copper mines are the consequence of mining-induced seismicity of the rock strata whilst the majority of registered rockbursts have been caused by high-energy seismic events. T he analysis of seismic activity in recent years indicates that the region of the Rudna mine is the region of the highest seismic activity. This paper is an attempt at evaluating the seismicity levels in the Rudna mine in the period from 2006-2015, within the entire mine and in its particular sections. Key parameters of seismic activity include the number of registered seismic events, total energy emission levels, and a unit energy factor. The variability of Gutenberg -Richter (GR) parameters are analyzed and the epicenters’ locations are investigated with respect to the stope position. T he distinction is made between low-energy (103 ≤ As < 105 J) and high-energy (As ≥ 105J) seismic events ahead of the stope, in the opening-up cross-throughs and in the gob areas. It appears that the risk level of a high-energy event occurrence in the R udna mine has not changed in recent years and has remained on a high level whilst the differences in seismic activity, in particular mine sections, are attributed to the varied extraction height and varied thickness of rockburst-prone carbonate layers in the roof of the copper ore deposit. The analysis of the epicenters’ locations with respect to the stope reveals that no matter what the seismic energy levels, the largest number of rockbursts are registered in the opening-up cross-through zone. Low-energy tremors are mostly located in the gob areas, high-energy events occur mostly ahead of the stope. T hus, the evaluation of the seismicity conditions in the Rudna mine seems to positively verify the relationship between the number of registered events and the levels of generated seismic energy, taking the local geological and mining conditions and the specificity of the room and pillar mining method into account.

Coal mining activities carried out for 200 years in Upper Silesia have had a negative effect on buildings. T his impact is in all cases related with continuous deformations of the surface and in certain cases with discontinuous deformations (mostly cave-ins), changes in water relations and mining tremors. T he paper presents an evaluation of the impact of a mining activity on a building situated in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. T he building was affected by continuous deformations and mining tremors. Calculations were made of the values of deformation rates by means of Budryk–Knothe’s theory, which were partly verified on the basis of the results from geodetic measurements. An analysis of the velocity and acceleration of basement vibrations caused by mining-induced tremors was also conducted. T he conclusions included a high consistency between the results obtained on the basis of calculations and the values obtained by means of PGA and PGV measurements. In the case of tremors with the highest energy in the hipocentrum, there an empirical formula allowing for calculation of PGA value in given geological and mining conditions was also proposed. T he application range of the formula mentioned above is obviously limited only to the conditions in consideration. The presented conclusions indicate that at present, sufficiently precise methods, allowing for calculations for practical purposes, not only of deformation indices’ values, but also of PGV and PGA values, presently exist.

Mining-induced seismicity, particularly high-energy seismic events, is a major factor giving rise to dynamic phenomena within the rock strata. Rockbursts and stress relief events produce the most serious consequences in underground mines, are most difficult to predict and tend to interact with other mining hazards, thus making control measures difficult to implement. In the context of steadily increasing mining depth within copper mines in the Legnica-Głogów Copper Belt Area (Poland) alongside the gradually decreasing effective mining thickness, a study of the causes and specificity of mining-induced seismicity in specific geological and mining settings may improve the effectiveness of the prevention and control measures taken to limit the negative impacts of rockbursts in underground mine workings, thus ensuring safe working conditions for miners. This study investigates the presumed relationship between the mined ore deposit thickness and fundamental parameters of mining-induced seismicity, with the main focus on the actual locations of their epicenters with respect to the working face in commonly used room-and-pillar systems. Data recalled in this study was supplied by the O/ZG Rudna geophysics station. Based on information about the actual ore deposit thickness in particular sections of the mines (Rudna Główna, Rudna Północna, Rudna Zachodnia) and recent reports on seismic activity in this area, three panels were selected for further studies (each in different mine region), where the ore deposit thickness was varied (panel G-7/5 – Rudna Główna, panel XX/1 – Rudna Północna, panel XIX/1 – Rudna Zachodnia). Data from seismic activity reports in those regions was used for energetic and quantitative analysis of seismic events in the context of the epicenter location with respect to the selected mining system components: undisturbed strata, working face and abandoned excavations. In consideration of the available rockburst control methods and preventive measures, all events (above 1 × 103 J) registered in the database were analysed to infer about the global rockburst hazard level in the panel and phenomena induced (provoked) by blasting were considered in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented control measures.

The article is an analysis of the content of the reports of the national mining companies and vertically integrated operators in the energy value chain, in light of the guidelines of global standards of corporate social responsibility (CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility). A verification of the review of the literature and reports of selected companies in terms of non-financial data publication was conducted, that is information which is based on ES(G) (E – Environment; S – Social; G – Governance), especially considering all environmental and social aspects. It was also indicated which selected mining companies prepare integrated reports (financial and non-financial data), in line with the GRI (Global Report Initiative) guidelines and G4 Mining and Metals – the document contains a set of disclosures for use by all organizations in the Mining and Metals sector. According to the author, universal access to non-financial data expanding the circle of stakeholders and can mitigate the negative public opinion towards the mining industry. Integrated reporting is a new experience for Polish mining companies and vertically integrated energy groups reporting sent to various stakeholder groups, using the GRI guidelines. The analysis showed that only two domestic companies out of the 10, i.e. LW Bogdanka S.A. and KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. submitted the report for 2015, based on the indices dedicated to the, „mining and metals” Industry. The selection of companies has been dictated by their significant share in the mining industry in Poland. The article indicates skipping important aspects of the business activities of mining and vertically integrated enterprises, which should be a necessary part of the reports (due to the obvious impact of mining on the environment and society). It refers to the GRI G4 Mining and Metals guidelines as the indicators which are additional tools to reporting on sustainable development. The purpose of this article is to point out important aspects of the mining companies and vertically integrated enterprises which are omitted and, in the opinion of the author, should be the components of those reports.

Since the 1970s, the Legnica-Głogów Copper District has an area of intensive mining of copper. Mining activities resulted in the appearance of induced seismic activity. This situation caused the necessity of setting an underground seismological network. In the mid-1990s, due to the great damage of objects on the surface caused by the ground vibrations due to mining tremors, a surface strong motion seismic network equipped with accelerometers was created. They monitor the vibration levels of both the land and the buildings themselves. This contributed to a better knowledge of the nature of ground vibration and the resistance of objects. In recent years, anthropogenic threats, which include seismicity induced by mining activities, are arousing more and more interest. To be able to develop test methods for seismic source physics, the analysis of the impact of vibrations on the surface and the seismic hazard, network measurement should also be developed and modernized. In the years 2014–2015, the IS-EPOS “Digital research space of induced seismicity for EPOS purposes” project, extended the LUMINEOS modern seismological network presently consisting of 15 seismometers and 10 accelerometers, with the possibility of additional further expansion. The data obtained from the LUMINEOS network complements the existing underground mining network and surface strong motion network. This allows for an advanced seismic analysis.

Nothing says more about us than what we leave behind. That makes ancient refuse an inexhaustible source of information for archaeologists.

Mining tremors may have an impact on the safety risk of steel pipelines through their effects. It is therefore important to quantify the impact of a high-energy mining tremor in terms of strength. In addition, a comparison of the results obtained with the effect of a seismic tremor can illustrate the scale of such a hazard. Recently, this has been a very frequently raised issue in the area of surface protection against negative mining impacts and the protection of post-mining areas. Ensuring safe use is particularly important for gas transmission elements. This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the impact of mining tremors and seismic impacts on a specimen steel pipeline segment. The analyzed pipeline is located in the eastern part of Poland in the area of paraseismic impacts of the LGCD (Legnica-Glogow Copper District) mine. For this purpose, an analytical approach was used to assess the impact of seismic wave propagation on underground linear infrastructure facilities. Accelerogram records for the 02-06-2023 seismic tremor from Turkey and the mining tremor for 11-25-2020 were used. In the case of the design of underground pipelines, the cross-section of the element for which measures describing wall stress and the ovalization of the cross-section are determined is usually considered. In the situation of the influence of seismic wave propagation or so-called permanent ground deformation, the response of the pipeline in the longitudinal direction is analyzed. As a final result, longitudinal strains transferred to the pipeline as a consequence of the propagating seismic wave and mining tremor were determined. The absolute difference between the deformations in the ground and along the length of the pipeline was determined. This type of analysis has not been carried out before and provides new insights into the topic of paraseismic impacts on the scale of their interaction with natural earthquakes. Mining tremor data was obtained from the mine’s seismological department. The seismic tremor data, on the other hand, was downloaded via the publicly available ESM (Engineering Strong- Motion Database).

Open pit mining of rock minerals and the affected areas requiring further development are a serious challenge for shaping the positive image of the mining industry among the public. The direction and method of post-mining land reclamation are important for this image, which should take into account various factors describing the mining area, including social preferences. The article presents an example solution – fuzzy system (FSDR) – which supports the selection of the direction of reclamation of post-mining areas created after the termination of operations of open pit gravel and sand natural aggregate mines. The article presents selected factors determining the selection of the direction and possible reclamation variants as input and output data of the fuzzy system. The rules base of the developed system, as well as the mechanisms of inference and defuzzification, were also characterized. The application of the developed system is presented on selected examples.

Recalling the body of experience gathered in the collieries of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, the

increased risk of seismicity and rockburst occurrences in confined conditions including the exploitation of

remnants were identified. This study investigates geomechanical aspects of longwall mining in the areas

affected by old excavations aimed at relaxation of a multi-bed deposits within a thick coal seam or a group

of seams. It is assumed that high-energy seismicity is another factor determining the rockburst hazard

alongside the state of stress. A case study is recalled, describing a colliery where mining-induced seismic

activity of a de-stressed coal seam remained at the level comparable to or higher than it was experienced

in the de-stressed seam operations. An analytical model was used to study the stress state and potential

loss of structural continuity of an undisturbed rock body surrounding the longwall panel being mined

beneath or over the abandoned workings. Recalling the developed model of the system involving nonlinear

functions demonstrating the existence of abandoned mine workings within the rock strata, computer

simulations were performed to evaluate the rockburst hazards along the face area. Discussions of results

are based on observations of immediate roof convergence and the vertical stress concentration factor at

the longwall face zone. Computational data of the modelled mining situations demonstrates that despite

using the de-stressing method of mining, the occurrence of events impacting on mine working beneath

and over abandoned workings cannot be precluded. Here the scale of rockburst hazards is determined by

local mining and geological conditions, such as the type and extent of abandoned workings, their age and

vertical distance between them and the coal seam currently mined.

In the Carboniferous rock mass of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, large changes in the geomechanical conditions often occur over relatively short distances. These conditions relate to rock properties that are primarily responsible for the occurrence of geodynamic phenomena in the rock mass. The main factor influencing the manifestation of these phenomena is tectonic stress developed during Variscan and subsequent Alpine orogenesis. This stress contributed to creating tectonic structures in the Carboniferous formations and influenced the properties of the rocks themselves and the rock mass they form. As a result of the action of the stresses, compaction zones (main stresses were compressive) were formed, along with zones in which one of the main stresses was tensile. For the compaction zones in the Carboniferous rocks, the following geomechanical parameters have been calculated: uniaxial compressive strength, Young’s modulus and post-critical modulus. The local stress field was determined according to the focal mechanism in selected areas (Main and Bytom troughs) to characterize changes in geomechanical properties of the rocks that are responsible for high-energy tremors (E ≥ 106 J, ML ≥ 2.2).

An analysis of the impact of mining with caving on the surface shows that a type of rock mass strata seems to be one of the critical factors affecting the process. Correlating the values of mining-induced surface deformation with the rock mass structure and the state of its disturbance is of crucial importance. Therefore, if other mining conditions are left unaffected, then those factors exert the key influence on a course and distribution of subsidence and rock mass deformation. A proper description of rock mass type and properties also seems rational for a proper determination of prediction parameters, especially in the case of a multi-seam coal mining, and/or the exploitation carried out at considerable depths. A general outcome of the study discussed in this paper is the development of the methodology and model practices for determining the rock mass type and, as a result, for selecting the optimal values of parameters for predicting the values of surface subsidence in relation to particular geological and mining conditions. The study proves that the type of rock mass may be described by such factors as the influence of overburden strata, the influence of Carboniferous layers, the disturbance of rock mass and the depth of exploitation.

Planning in a mining enterprise is a complex and multifaceted action. For this reason, it is necessary to provide its proper organisation and adjust it to the specific conditions of conducting underground mining extraction. The prepared plans must make up a cohesive internal system, unambiguously determining the manner, range and safety requirements of the conducted extraction. In the most general manner, the various types of plans developed by organisational units of mining enterprises can be divided based on the timeframe, type, scope and object of planning. These are strategic plans, tactical plans and subject-based plans. The aim of the article is to present the issue of production planning in a mining enterprise and for the preparation of such a plan, first and foremost, information about, among other things, applicable legal regulations, market conditions and the specificity of a mining enterprise are necessary. Underground extraction of black coal deposits must be conducted while respecting the rules of sustainable development which satisfies current needs, without compromising the ability to satisfy the needs of future generations. Due to the specific nature of mining production, manifested, among other things, by such features as the diversity of conditions for conducting the activity, resulting from the changing geological-mining conditions of the deposit, low flexibility of the production process, associated with the impossibility to conduct alternative production and a very long-lasting investment process, planning the course and magnitude of production in a mining enterprise must proceed with the highest possible diligence. One should take into account a wide range of presented environmental, organisational and technical conditions, deciding about the safety and correctness of the course of the assumed production activities. However, in order to make them economically feasible and produce satisfying results in that regard, it is also necessary to analyse them carefully with respect to financial outcomes

The aim of the article is to present the selected results of analytical investigations concerning

possible directions of reducing the unit production costs in the mining company together with some

results of practical calculations. The investigations emphasize the role of the rate of utilising the

production capacity leading to reducing the unit production costs. The main component having an

essential influence on the unit production costs are the fixed unit costs. Two basic indices of a crucial

meaning for searching for possibilities leading to decreasing the unit production costs are assumed.

The first index (w1) is a measure of the rate of utilising the production capacity, the second one (w2)

concerns the fixed costs coincided with the unit of the production capacity. Theoretical considerations

concerning the mathematical modelling of the unit production costs as the values depending on the

rate of utilising the production capacity and the fixed costs coincided with the production capacity

unit, are presented in the first part of the paper. The rationalisation criteria of the mine unit production

costs are formulated. These criteria can constitute the elements of restructuring program for the mining

company. The calculation example with the use of the practical input data shows the impact of the

rate of utilising the production capacity on the mine unit production costs. In the example two variants

of annual working time are taken into account. Results of appropriate calculations are presented and

analysed in an aspect of reducing unit costs of production as a result of increasing rate of utilising the

mine production capacity.

The quarrying industry is changing the local landscape, forming deep open pits and spoil heaps in close proximity to them, especially lignite mines. The impact can include toxic soil material (low pH, heavy metals, oxidations etc.) which is the basis for further reclamation and afforestation. Forests that stand on spoil heaps have very different growth conditions because of the relief (slope, aspect, wind and rainfall shadows, supply of solar energy, etc.) and type of soil that is deposited. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) technology deliver point clouds (XYZ) and derivatives as raster height models (DTM, DSM, nDSM=CHM) which allow the reception of selected 2D and 3D forest parameters (e.g. height, base of the crown, cover, density, volume, biomass, etc). The automation of ALS point cloud processing and integrating the results into GIS helps forest managers to take appropriate decisions on silvicultural treatments in areas with failed plantations (toxic soil, droughts on south-facing slopes; landslides, etc.) or as regular maintenance. The ISOK country-wide project ongoing in Poland will soon deliver ALS point cloud data which can be successfully used for the monitoring and management of many thousands of hectares of destroyed post-industrial areas which according to the law, have to be afforested and transferred back to the State Forest.