Central Mining Research Articles

La vulnerabilidad de los derechos laborales de los trabajadores mineros en el Parque Industrial El Pache, provincia de El Oro

This article examines the violations of the rights of informal workers in the gold mining park in the El Pache area of ​​the Portovelo canton, province of El Oro. Portovelo, being considered the first mining center in Ecuador, its economy is based on commercialization of gold to a greater degree compared to the rest of economic activities. This study identifies factors that contribute to poor working conditions, as well as establishing measures to reduce risks and promote better working conditions. Through a mixed methodology such as interviews, document reviews and statistical analysis, urgent topics that require the attention of government authorities come to light. A broad understanding of violations of workers' rights requires consideration of aspects such as labor regulations, employment contracts, working hours, appropriate remuneration and benefits, health and safety at work, termination of contracts and union dynamics. Analyzes describe that these violations are often related to poor implementation and compliance by employers, poor contractual agreements, non-payment of overtime, lack of social benefits and weak or non-existent collective bargaining contribute to the violations of labor rights, which establishes the urgent need to improve supervision by the entities in charge of effective regulatory compliance.

Silver recovery into lead bullion from a lead concentrate by direct reduction with Na2CO3 and SiC reagents

ABSTRACT Silver has been recovered in lead bullion from a lead concentrate throughout a direct reduction process. The lead concentrate was obtained from a plant that processes polymetallic minerals located in the central mining area of Mexico. The direct reduction process has been tested through mixtures of Na2CO3 and SiC that were put in contact with the lead concentrate at 1000 °C for 60 min to produce lead bullion containing silver and slag. The produced lead bullion containing silver and the slag after direct reduction trials showed that it is possible to recover about 90% of lead and 86.5% of silver into the lead bullion, leading to a low silver content in the slag phase (<0.2 wt.%). The slag was constituted mainly by sodium silicate compounds such as Na2SiO3, Na4SiO4, and Na2Si2O5, when 50 wt. % of Na2CO3 and 10 wt. % of SiC regarding the initial charge of the lead concentrate was used. The proposed process has been assisted thermodynamically by the software FactSage 7.6, which allowed us to predict the main expected compounds and understand the process mechanism for silver recovery into a lead bullion using Na2CO3 and SiC reagents.

Features of the chemical composition of fine suspended particles in the atmospheric air of residential and industrial zones of the city of Sibay, Republic of Bashkortostan

Introduction. Atmospheric particulate matter as a negative environmental factor can be a significant hazard depending on their size, morphometric and physicochemical characteristics. The purpose of the study. To investigate the elemental composition of finely dispersed suspended particles in the atmospheric air of the industrial zones of the mining center of the Bashkir Trans-Urals - the city of Sibay. Materials and methods. Air sampling was carried out in the industrial area of ​​Sibay using an AVA-3-240/180-01 automatic three-channel air aspirator with AFA-VP-20 filters. Microscopy of samples and determination of the elemental composition of dust emissions were carried out at the Interdisciplinary Center “Analytical Microscopy” of the Kazan Federal University (Kazan) on a universal analytical complex for scanning field emission electron microscopy Merlin (Carl Zeiss). Results. On electron micrographs, there were identified particles of various sizes, mostly round in shape with clear edges, located solitary. In the automatic mode of processing the spectra, the peaks of the elements in the spectrum were automatically recognized and identified. In addition to carbon and oxygen, the calcium, iron, silicon, potassium, aluminium, copper, sulphur, sodium and magnesium are main chemical constituents of particulate matter encountered at all sampling points. Zinc was present in dust samples at three points, scandium, titanium, cobalt, barium, and manganese – only at one point. The possibility of the relation between the content of fine particles in the air and the increased incidence of cardiovascular, bronchopulmonary diseases, including asthma, in the population of Sibay is discussed. Limitations. The study of the elemental composition of fine dust in the city of Sibay was carried out using atmospheric air samples taken at 5 points located in residential and industrial areas. Conclusion. The increased content of fine particles in the atmospheric air of the city of Sibay increases the risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as other health abnormalities, in the population permanently residing near industrial zones. The obtained data on the parameters of dust particles are the basis for assessing the share contribution of industrial enterprises to air pollution and making management decisions to improve the environmental situation in the industrial center of the mining region.

Changed life worlds and survival strategies in disintegration after the regime change in Hungary: a former industrial town in the shadow of the factory giant

ABSTRACT In the literature of post-1989 Eastern European history, the disintegration of traditional industries and the decline of the factory towns that had been based on them is a well-known topic. Less attention has been paid to the transformation of the countryside or the villages that often served as the supportive network for the factory towns, a phenomenon that was also very typical of Hungary, where migrant or commuter workers became the subject of academic interest long before the collapse of state socialism. This study offers an international perspective and case study of the catchment area of Ózd, a former industrial and factory city located in northeastern Hungary that was once an important centre of Hungarian metallurgy and mining. In my analysis I address the related topic of how the decline of traditional industries affected this former industrial city and its surrounding villages, whose inhabitants mostly worked in industry until the industrial landscape and its society disappeared. This study focuses on Ózd and its surroundings, where the survival and sustenance of the population was directly threatened by the closure of collective farms, factories, plants and mines in the area.

Evaluating the effectiveness of heavy metals removal from mine wastewater using agricultural waste materials

Polluted water bodies pose a danger to both aquatic and terrestrial lives, and recent development in the mining centre has escalated this pollution through the disposal of its industrial wastes. The objective was to investigate the potential of four different agricultural waste materials in eliminating the heavy metals from mine wastewater. The results show that the best performance in terms of adsorption capacity and removal efficiency was observed with coconut husk-activated carbon. The Arsenic (As) concentration decreased from 3.185 mg/kg to 1.570 mg/kg, and the Mercury (Hg) content decreased from 0.0307 mg/kg to 0.0064 mg/kg. The corresponding removal efficiencies were 51% for Arsenic and 79% for Mercury after 120 minutes of contact time at a speed of 250 rpm. The results suggest that coconut husk-activated carbon exhibited superior adsorption capacity and removal efficiency compared to the other agricultural waste materials (maize cob, rice husk, and sawdust). This indicates that the natural properties of coconut husk are more effective in removing heavy metals from mine wastewater.

Electrochemical Behavior of Natural Manganese Oxides: Transforming Mining Waste into Energy Storage Materials

The present research explores the potential of manganese oxide waste ore in energy storage applications, focusing on supercapacitors. The investigation assesses the electrochemical capabilities of natural manganese oxides obtained from the Drama region, which has been the main mining center of Greece for manganese ore, especially that of battery-grade quality. Samples were collected from abandoned mining sites in the Kato Nevrokopi area, Drama. The structure and composition of the manganese minerals were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrochemical tests involved the preparation of electrodes using natural nsutite and heat-treated nsutite (hausmannite). Then, the designed electrodes were subjected to cyclic voltammetry tests and charge–discharge measurements. The hausmannite electrode exhibited a higher specific capacitance of 667 F/g at a current density of 0.2 A/g, and the electrode material retained 98.3% of its initial capacitance after 1000 cycles. This study provides new perspectives on simple and efficient methods for transforming natural nsutite material from mining waste to hausmannite with greater structural homogeneity and better electrochemical behavior.

Effects of environmental exposure to iron powder on healthy and elastase-exposed mice

Prolonged exposure to iron powder and other mineral dusts can threaten the health of individuals, especially those with COPD. The goal of this study was to determine how environmental exposure to metal dust from two different mining centers in Brazil affects lung mechanics, inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress responses in healthy and elastase-exposed mice. This study divided 72 male C57Bl/6 mice into two groups, the summer group and the winter group. These groups were further divided into six groups: control, nonexposed (SAL); nonexposed, given elastase (ELA); exposed to metal powder at a mining company (SAL-L1 and ELA-L1); and exposed to a location three miles away from the mining company (SAL-L2 and ELA-L2) for four weeks. On the 29th day of the protocol, the researchers assessed lung mechanics, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammation, remodeling, oxidative stress, macrophage iron and alveolar wall alterations (mean linear intercept-Lm). The Lm was increased in the ELA, ELA-L1 and ELA-L2 groups compared to the SAL group (p < 0.05). There was an increase in the total number of cells and macrophages in the ELA-L1 and ELA-L2 groups compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the ELA and SAL groups, the exposed groups (ELA-L1, ELA-L2, SAL-L1, and SAL-L2) exhibited increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, neutrophil elastase, TIMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-12, TGF-β, collagen fibers, MUC5AC, iNOS, Gp91phox, NFkB and iron positive macrophages (p < 0.05). Although we did not find differences in lung mechanics across all groups, there were low to moderate correlations between inflammation remodeling, oxidative stress and NFkB with elastance, resistance of lung tissue and iron positive macrophages (p < 0.05). Environmental exposure to iron, confirmed by evaluation of iron in alveolar macrophages and in air, exacerbated inflammation, initiated remodeling, and induced oxidative stress responses in exposed mice with and without emphysema. Activation of the iNOS, Gp91phox and NFkB pathways play a role in these changes.

A craniometric study of the Medieval sample from Deraheib (Northern Sudan)

The history of North Africa has been always tightly connected to events occurring in Eurasia. Human migra-tions in both directions are well-documented in written sources and archaeological records. To gain a comprehen-sive understanding of historical processes, it is essential to study the remains of individuals who inhabited this region during various time periods. A lack of cranial metric data on the Medieval population of North Africa im-pedes thorough investigation of the population history of the region. This paper presents a craniometric study of the sample from the Southern necropolis at Deraheib. This study contributes to filling the existing void in the un-derstanding of the Medieval population of North Africa. According to written sources, the site was a center of gold mining, known as the city of al-Allaki, dated to the 9th to 15th centuries AD. The city attracted a diverse population seeking economic opportunities. Besides this, Al-Allaki served as an important point on the caravan route which was utilized by merchants and pilgrims traversing the Nubian Desert on their way to Jeddah. The study analyzes cranial metrics of a total of 23 individuals (14 male and 9 female) skulls recovered from the southern necropolis Deraheib sample and employs 55 linear dimensions, following Martin's/Howells craniometric protocol as well as some additional measurements. Statistical analyses were performed using the R language packages and the Multican software. Our results revealed heterogeneity of the sample in male and female parts of the sample at the intra-group level: an observation aligning with existing archaeological and historical evidence. The limited size of the sample warns against any firm conclusions regarding affinities of the Deraheib population. Our intergroup comparison has shown that the cranial sample from the Southern Necropolis of the Deraheib site displays morphological features that are more similar to neighboring Caucasoid populations rather than equatorial groups from East Africa.

The 6th Victor de Mello Goa Lecture: Development of large direct shear facility for geotechnical characterization and stability assessment of opencast mines dumps

As opencast coal production increases, a crucial challenge is safeguarding the stability and management of overburden dumps while prioritizing both safety and cost-efficiency. Determining the optimal stable dump slope dimensions during and after mining remains a key challenge for mining operations worldwide. Assessing the stability of overburden (OB) dumps is necessary to maintain them at the steepest possible angle without compromising stability. Understanding the shear strength, including cohesion and angle of internal friction, of the heterogeneous dump mass is crucial for this assessment. To evaluate the shear strength behaviour of OB materials, a large direct shear machine (LDSM) was designed and developed at Central Mine Planning and Design Institute, Ranchi. The LDSM features a shear box with dimensions of 1000 mm × 1000 mm × 1000 mm to facilitate testing materials with larger particle sizes. It can test large specimens with a thickness up to 500 mm and a maximum particle size (Dmax) of 80mm in accordance with ASTM D3080-98. Seven different OB materials from Magadh Coalfields, India were collected and tested for their shear strength. Using the obtained shear strength parameters, various slope profiles are assessed for stability using 2D limit equilibrium software such as Slide2 and GALENA. Probabilistic modelling is employed to generate a statistically distributed factor of safety (FoS) instead of a deterministic value, accounting for uncertainties related to input parameters. This paper aims to forecast the maximum safe height for OB dumps based on the determined shear strength parameters.

Turbulence generated by dust dispersion in the standard 1 m3 vessel

The standard 1 m3 vessel is an apparatus recommended for an assessment of dust explosion indices by ISO, European and American Standards. However the definition of the vessel construction given in the Standards leaves some room when designing it. That may lead to significantly different results obtained in vessels built in different laboratories even when all of them meet the requirements of the Standards. One of key parameters that should be controlled in the tests is turbulence. Several authors reported measurements of turbulence intensity in the 1 m3 vessel. However, all of those results were obtained for pure air dispersed from the dust dispersion system. The paper presents results of turbulence measurements performed in the 1 m3 vessel built and used at Experimental Mine Barbara of Central Mining Institute, Poland. In previous measurements transient flow velocity in the vessel was generated by dust injection from the dust dispersion system. For the measurement the Bi-Directional Velocity Probe developed by McCaffrey and Heskestad ((McCaffrey B.J. (1976)) was used. The construction of the probe was modified to improve its performance in the dusty conditions. The tests were performed for several nominal dust concentrations of two dusts. From the measurements the root-mean-square of instantaneous velocity (u'rms) was calculated. The results were compared with the results obtained for pure air in the dust dispersion system. The presence of dust modifies turbulence in the vessel. Its intensity is reduced and the flow development is delayed.

Gender Equality Plan for Building Employer Branding of a Research Institution

Abstract The aim of this article is to discuss the possibility of using gender equality plans (GEPs) to build a brand, especially the employer branding (EB) of a research institution. The example of the GEP of the Central Mining Institute-National Research Institute (GIG-PIB) has been used in this article. The research methodology includes an analysis of the existing data and a survey involving all the GIG-PIB employees, not only those in research and scientific positions. The computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) research covered five key areas associated with gender equality, such as work–life balance, gender balance in management and decision-making bodies, gender equality in recruitment and career development, gender mainstreaming in the research process and measures to combat gender-based violence. This article presents the results of the survey. The analysis of the results shows that the opportunities for professional, scientific and personal development were positively assessed by the staff of GIG-PIB. Such favourable opinions of employees are an important element of building a competitive advantage based on the brand of the research institution and its Employer Branding.

Dental health status of the medieval silver-mining community from Kutná Hora (Czech Republic, 13th–16th c.): Impact of socioeconomic changes and mortality crises

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to evaluate the pathological conditions in teeth from skeletal remains found in the medieval burial ground at Kutná Hora (13th–16th centuries, Czech Republic). We focused on the effect on dental health of socioeconomic changes associated with the boom in silver mining at the site. DesignIn this study, dental caries and antemortem tooth loss were recorded for 469 sexed adults (10,558 permanent teeth). Pathologies were analysed and presented by teeth and alveoli, and the differences between their frequencies were tested in sex-, age-, and burial context-separated groups (mass vs. individual graves). ResultsThe oral conditions were characterised by a low frequency of caries and moderate frequency of antemortem tooth loss (AMTL). For caries, males and females showed the same frequencies while AMTL comparisons indicated a higher rate in females. Most differences emerged between age-separated and burial context-separated groups. The age progression of the pathologies was confirmed for both caries and AMTL. Skeletons from mass burials had higher caries and AMTL frequencies than those buried in individual graves. ConclusionsThe dataset exhibited low caries and below average AMTL rates compared to other medieval European skeletal series. We think that life in this mining centre had a positive effect on the dental health of its inhabitants. The relatively poorer dental health of those buried in mass graves reflected either the specific composition of the population in the first half of the 14th century or the lower resilience of these individuals when facing mortality crises.

The impact of blockchain technology on the environment

This paper focuses on the environmental impact of blockchain technology, particularly on electricity consumption for equipment operation and cooling. During its operation, the device energy is converted into heat, which must be efficiently dispersed. Additionally, the paper examines the rate of mining equipment replacement and the subsequent e-waste concerns. The impact of blockchain technology on the environment is a complex and debated topic. Only the following two aspects are discussed in this paper: 1) Energy Consumption: (a) Positive Impact: Blockchain technology, especially in the context of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, has been criticized for its high energy consumption due to the consensus mechanism called Proof of Work (PoW). However, some blockchain networks use alternative consensus mechanisms like Proof of Stake (PoS), which is more energy-efficient, and b) Negative Impact: PoW-based blockchains, such as Bitcoin, require significant computational power, leading to high energy consumption. The environmental impact is a concern, especially if the electricity used comes from non-renewable sources. 2) Mining and E-Waste: (a) Positive Impact: Blockchain technology can help in tracking the supply chain and provenance of minerals, which could reduce the use of conflict minerals and promote ethical mining practices. (b)Negative Impact: The mining of cryptocurrencies involves specialized hardware that becomes obsolete quickly, contributing to electronic waste (e-waste). This can have negative environmental consequences if not properly managed and recycled. The central topic of this paper is electric energy consumption and as a consequence CO2 emission footprint. Because of the fast growth of data centers and mining centers, consumption of electric energy has grown exponentially in the past decade. Together with the consumption of electric energy, CO2 emission grows dramatically.

Identification of Ceramic Traditions on the Prehistoric Mines of Gavà (Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract In recent years, studies focused on Chaîne Opératoire reconstruction of pottery vessels have shown important developments and provided new data related to vessel production and the complexities acquired by prehistoric societies. This research focuses on the pottery vessels discovered at the Mines Prehistóriques de Gavà (Barcelona, Spain), which constitute the earliest evidence of a mining center for variscite during the 4th millennium BC. The main objective of this study is to determine the technological procedures employed in the production of these potteries by identifying the Chaînes Opératoires and establishing their relationship to the site’s context, which is linked to extensive exchanges within the European network. Through a meticulous analysis and comparison of the morpho-typological and technological characteristics of the vessels, we aim to identify different production methods. The findings of this study, along with their reconstruction in techno-stylistic trees, contribute to a deeper understanding and explanation of the variability and technological complexity found in these pottery vessels. This work exposes a novel approach to studying the pottery vessels in Iberian Peninsula by involving the application of archaeometric techniques such as direct macroscopic and microscopic observation traces (using naked eyes; microscopic Dino – Lite), as well as chemical analyses such as petrographically and X-ray diffraction enabling the identification of key mineral components within the clay.

Перспективное освоение угольных запасов Арктики на основе пространственной организации коммуникаций

In the current conditions of economic instability, the problem of developing the regional space of the Arctic zone, where huge reserves of hydrocarbons and other minerals are concentrated, which are the main driver of the future development of the Arctic economy, is becoming increasingly important. The development of the Arctic region was strongly influenced by the international environment, which, on the one hand, poses a threat to the Arctic mineral projects, and on the other hand, opens up new opportunities for their successful implementation. Against this background, the task of the Arctic coal industry within the framework of spatial and regional development is the territorial and production optimization of production and transportation of coal products. The purpose of the study is to analyze current trends in the development of the coal mining market in the new geo-economic and political conditions, which results in the proposed approaches to the spatial organization of the transport communications system, allowing maximizing the economic and export potential of the prospective development of Arctic coal reserves. It has been established that the current situation greatly affects the energy market. Russian coal market is being transformed under the influence of geo-economic transformations, the formation of new coal mining centers is shifting eastwards closer to the Asia-Pacific region, which will become the main center of coal trade in the near future. The study concludes that the efficiency of the development of Arctic coal reserves directly depends on the spatial organization of a complex system of integrated production and transport corridors (IPTC) that combine the production and logistics chain of mining and transportation of coal products into a single holistically integrated space of sea, coastal and land communications. On the basis of the analysis of the Taimyr coal basin, a priority level for the prospective development of mineral resources has been determined, based on a combination of factors that condition the economic and export potential of coal deposits.

Mineral Magnetic Modification of Fine Iron Ore Tailings and Their Beneficiation in Alternating Magnetic Fields

In this paper, the properties, mineral magnetic modification, and beneficiation of tailings from the central mining and processing plant in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, have been studied. Samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, microscopy, and magnetization measurements. The beneficiation was conducted using magnetizing roasting with carbon monoxide followed by dry low-intensity magnetic separation. The effects of chemical, mineral, and granulometric composition on the processing of fine tailings of different sizes sampled at different points of the tailings pond were investigated. Additionally, we proposed a new approach for magnetic separation of fine magnetically modified tailings based on the combination of permanent and alternating magnetic fields. Magnetizing roasting resulted in an enhancement in mass magnetization to 11–62 Am2/kg in comparison with initial values of 0.3–1.5 Am2/kg. After magnetic separation, the magnetic concentrates consisted almost completely of magnetite (with the magnetization of 75–88 Am2/kg) and non-magnetic residues contained major quartz. The content of iron in magnetic concentrates reached 68.5–70.2 wt.% and iron recovery 77–96 wt.%, depending on size fraction. We could conclude that the tailings are represented by fine-grained liberated material that can be effectively upgraded using magnetizing roasting and magnetic separation into two valuable products, such as iron concentrate and quartz powder.

Debt Dependency and the Cost of Migration: The Case of Roma and Non-Roma Migrants from Baia Mare

Abstract The Baia Mare region was once one of Romania's main mining centres, with a significant proportion of the local population engaged in industry jobs. However, the extensive economic restructuring that followed the collapse of the old communist regime and the emergence of capitalist development was characterized by brutal privatization measures and great economic instability. While the transition years brought new opportunities for some, for most they meant unstable housing and employment, debt, and a declining social status. Thus, many workers quickly became ‘surplus populations’ (Li 2017) and were forced into patterns of circular migration abroad. Employing a qualitative research methodology, analysing both interviews and secondary data, this paper will focus on the adaptive responses of workers from Baia Mare to the changes in the socio-economic landscape after the collapse of the communist regime and the advance of neoliberal policies in Romania. In particular, the paper looks at Roma and non-Roma migrants from Baia Mare, attempting to compare their strategies and work histories in the context of migration, to see the extent to which class and race differences play a role in creating specific migration patterns in the post-socialist context. The comparison between racialized people living in improvised shelters on the periphery of Baia Mare and those who are working class but not living in a situation of destitution will show us the role that dispossession plays in creating certain conditions that lead to debt dependency and specific migration patterns.

Kryviy Rih as the center of heavy industry of the USSR: the role of Kryvbas scientists in the development of the mining industry

The article completes the cycle of investigations within the framework of the historical and foundational research of the State Printing Archive "Printed editions of the 1970s: thematic and content priorities", planned for 2023. The object of the research was the priority topics that were covered in domestic printed editions of the specified period , the subject of which is the periodical and continuing editions published in Kryvyi Rih during the 1970s, namely: the yearbook "Mining ore production", published by the Scientific and Research Mining and Ore Institute (SRMOI) of Kryvyi Rih, and materials of all-Union and republican scientific and technical forums (seminars, conferences, etc.). Relying on the specified primary source base, the author considered the main directions of development of mining science in Kryvyi Rih during the researched period. The purpose of the proposed exploration is to form conclusive generalizations about today&amp;#39;s little-known local prints, conduct a content analysis of their content, update important historical events from the past of Kryvyi Rih and personify the mining science of the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin. Having achieved the set goals, the author claims that in the 1970s, Kryvyi Rih became an all-Union recognized center of scientific and practical mining. In the city, despite its modest (district) administrative-territorial status, powerful scientific schools were formed, higher, secondary special and vocational-technical mining education flourished. Having a closed cycle: from mining (Kryvyi Rih mines, quarries) and beneficiation of iron ore (five mining and beneficiation plants operate on the territory of the city) to the production of the best types of iron and steel (Metallurgical Plant "Kryvorizhstal", Kryvyi Rih Coke Chemical Plant) — Kryvyi Rih became the industrial pearl of the Soviet Union. In modern Ukraine, the city has rightly earned the name "iron heart of the state".

Middle Trans-Urals and Western Siberia: from the Stone Age of to the Metal Age

The article deals with the peculiarities of formation processes of the Bronze Age among the population of hunters and fishermen of the mountain-forest Trans-Urals and the West Siberian taiga at the end of III – beginning of II millennium BC. The transition to the Era of Metal in both Trans-Urals and Western Siberia occurred under the direct influence of foreign cultural groups of the population, though under different scenarios. The traditions of bronze metal production, associated with the penetration of the bearers of the Seimа-Turbino traditions deep into the taiga, have not taken root in the taiga of Western Siberia. In the Middle Trans-Urals, which was rich in copper ore deposits, an independent mining center was formed. This phenomenon was caused by close integration of the main actors of the Bronze Age of the Urals and Western Siberia – groups of the Seima-Turbino traditions and pastoralists of the steppe zone, who cultivated a pastoral model of metal production.

Making Post-Dystopian Future Possible: Alternative Policies for Bytom

This article follows the argument that urban dystopia is reserved not only for the sphere of the fictional but also as a state of reality that academic methods can capture and describe. Taking the example of the city of Bytom, a traditional centre of coal mining in Southern Poland, the article discusses four spheres where the dystopian present is clearly visible – namely, the four elements that led Bytom to a socio-economic and spatial collapse: depopulation, social polarisation and ghettoisation, degradation of the urban fabric and mining damage. Apart from showing empirical evidence, the article critically considers the possibilities of a post-dystopian urban future for the city. A discussion of possible policy answers to these dystopian trends is based on two possible visions of how the urban future could look. First, the semi-dystopian vision assumes that the expected direction and the results of current policies will lead to some improvement in the quality of the urban environment and the residents’ quality of life. Second, the post-dystopian future is based on an optimistic vision, which assumes that a post-dystopian future is possible. However, the desired salvation from the dystopian present will not come about through the search for new utopian visions. It will rely instead on the improvement and mitigation of some of the substantial social, economic and environmental problems that exist and continue to present an unbreakable social image.