Minerał resources of the Polish Carpathians and the Carpathian Foredeep and their economic utilisation

Abstract

The presented region comprises a south part of Poland. In geologic approach, it belongs to the Carpathian Mountains and the Carpathian Foredeep. There are more than 350 mineral deposits in this region. In the Carpathians there are modest oil and gas deposits, and deposits of common raw materials such as: sand and gravel, clays for brick production and building stones. Some dolomite and bentonite clay deposits are also present. Yet the greatest natural resources in the Carpathians become mineral and thermal waters. The Carpathian Foredeep is rich in native sulphur and rock salt deposits. It comprises ample natural gas, common clays and limestone and gypsum deposits. The Carpathian region is a unique part of Poland, because of its environmental value. This fact raises some problems related to explortation and management of mineral deposits. Some of them are presented in this report.