BAZA ZASOBOWA WĘGLA KAMIENNEGO DOLNOŚLĄSKIEGO ZAGŁĘBIA WĘGLOWEGO - ZMIANY W OKRESIE RESTRUKTURYZACJI GÓRNICTWA I PERSPEKTYWY ZAGOSPODAROWANIA

Abstract

HARD COAL RESERVES OF THE LOWER SILESIAN COAL BASIN AFTER THE COAL INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING PROCESS AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS FOR THE RESERVES

Abstract. The paper presents the study results concerning the hard coal reserves still existing after closure of coal mines in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (SW Poland). In 1990, when the coal industry restructuring process started, there were seven coal deposits (of which five still under exploitation). They consisted of 457 million tons of economic and potentially economic reserves and 313 million tons of potentially economic reserves represented mainly by coking coal, anthracite coal and anthracite. Nowadays, after the end of coal mining, the geological reserves of the Lower Silesian Coal Basin are 369 million tons of potentially economic reserves. The boom that occurred over the last years in the world coal market (especially demand for coking coal) has caused an increased interest in the abandoned coal deposits and possibilities of exploitation reopening. In the Wałbrzych area, the most interesting among the existing coal deposits is that of the former Victoria mine (Barbara and Witold coalfields). It predominantly contains coking coal, anthracite coal and anthracite. Its reserves amount to 58.5 million tons (calculated for at least 1.20 m thick seams). Disadvantage of the deposit is unfavourable geological and mining conditions, especially danger of coal and gas outburst. The anthracite reserves of the Wałbrzych-Gaj deposit (the only Poland's deposit of this type) are interesting, but as the entire mine's processing buildings, shafts etc. have been pulled down, the reserves seem to be lost (approx. 20 million tons just before the end of mining). The remaining deposits in the Wałbrzych and Nowa Ruda regions are in a similar situation. Insignificant amounts of economic reserves, difficult mining conditions, total demolishment of mineshafts and processing plant buildings etc. give no chance for exploitation by deep mining methods through establishing of new mines. It can be assumed that the potential future development of coal deposits in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin is possible by unconventional methods, like the underground gasification of coal seams.