Polish Mines Research Articles

Process Approach in a Mining Company: LW Bogdanka S.A. Case Study

This article concerns the management of the Polish mining company Lubelski Węgiel (LW) Bogdanka S.A. The main aim of this paper was to describe the whole process of implementing a process approach to management in one of the most important mining companies in Poland. The objective of the research presented was the incorporation of the process approach in LW Bogdanka S.A. to enhance its management and to improve the effectiveness of its mining process. This paper uses a case study method and presents a practical incorporation of the process approach and its results. The first phase of the proposed solution included building a map of business processes. Then, the research consisted of an analysis of existing processes; the introduction of new solutions, mainly in the field of infrastructure and IT systems; and changing the awareness of key process owners. The motivation for applying this approach was to achieve greater efficiency and continuous improvement in LW Bogdanka S.A. The main results and achievements were not merely limited to the development of a map of processes and subprocesses, but also led to an improvement in organizational structure, changes in approach to company management, a diagnosis of problems in the most important company departments, and the proposal of solutions to them.

Model of the Formation of Work Safety Culture in Polish Mining Enterprises

The article presents the results of research on the level of work safety culture, which is an important element influencing the organisational culture in mining enterprises. The article aims to measure the safety culture among managers in Polish hard coal mines. The assumed goal was achieved in the area of literature and empirical research. Research shows that the precise identification of hazards defined the thematic areas shaping safe working conditions in underground mines. The main part of the work was to survey 135 employees in 3 hard coal companies in Poland. The questionnaires were developed in cooperation with mining experts, and the 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate individual questions. This methodological approach identified the subjective feelings and experiences of employees for building appropriate attitudes and behaviours that shape the organisational culture. The use of a culture grid enabled the creation of seven thematic groups of safety areas related to the so-called referents of organisational culture. The result of the empirical research is to propose an approach for the transformation of safety culture in the selected area for mining companies. The approach uses the organisational culture grid to shape the attitudes and behaviours of employees, which identifies and designates weak areas, defining them as unsatisfactory and unacceptable, and being the key conclusion of the research.

Assessment of the technical state of mining machinery and devices with the use of diagnostic methods

Abstract In this article, one of the possible, effective methods of assessing the technical state of mining machinery and devices has been presented. The article's main goal is to show the possible methods and ways of measuring temperature, oscillations, and vibrations generated during the operation of mining equipment and machines’ gears, which are possible in underground conditions. Devices measuring temperatures without coming into contact with the given object are built based on different types of infrared radiation detectors or matrixes of such detectors. Thermal imaging devices picture the temperature distribution on the entire surface instead of pyrometers, which measure temperatures at a given point. However, vibrations and oscillations generated by the work of gears of devices and machinery have been made using a vibrometer pen and a machine condition tester, after which the obtained measurements were used to diagnose the degradation of individual elements of those machines. Such an assessment of the degradation of individual elements of machines in production conditions has been applied with positive results in one of the mines of the Polish Mining Group (Polska Grupa Górnicza – PGG).

Polish Studies on Saturation Diving and Practical Application of Their Findings. Part III a Technical and Organisational Issues of the Implementation of Saturation Diving in Poland from the 1990s Onwards. Part 1

Abstract This article is another in a series of articles on the research and implementation of saturation diving technology in Poland. It discusses the specificities related to the implementation of this technology against the background of economic and historical conditions in our country. In Poland, the issue of saturation diving for the needs of the emerging offshore mining industry has been for over a dozen years dealt with by the Department of Diving Equipment and Technology of Underwater Works (Polish abbr. ZSNiTPP). In parallel, deep diving technologies were developed, in the first stage, as a basic diving technology and, since 1994, as complementary to ensure the full backup for saturation diving. Since 1995, saturation diving has become an everyday occurrence in the Polish economic zone of the Baltic Sea. This article shows the difficult path that the implementation of saturation diving took during a period of economic instability when the scale of the domestic offshore industry's facilities was small compared to global companies. Selected animators and participants in the implementation are recalled for two periods: one marked with the cooperation with the Italian underwater services company RANA and the other one, a period of implementation of long-term underwater works based on national capabilities. The article also considers the technical and organisational conditions for the implementation of saturation diving for the Polish mining industry. In 1990, the Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Company Petrobaltic (today LOTOS) played one of the key roles in the implementation of saturation diving in our country. The implementation of saturation diving in Poland was linked to the only operational diving system of Italian production, the Af-2, which enabled scientific research related to the application of new technical solutions and testing under operational conditions, as well as contributed to the development of scientific, engineering, and medical staff for the Polish offshore industry. The company played one of the main roles in the implementation of saturation diving in our country The 1995 became a landmark year in the history of saturation diving in Poland, as well as in the Baltic Sea. Through this technology, the process of installing the first two underwater exploitation heads on production wells B3-7 and B3-10 was initiated. The saturation diving was possible thanks to the leasing of the Af-2 diving system by Petrobaltic and its subsequent purchase by the Naval Academy in 1998.This system, after a series of upgrades, is still in service today.

An Analysis of the Impact of Mining Excavation Velocity on the Development of Gaseous and Gaseous Geodynamic Hazards in Copper Ore Mines

The hazards of gaseous geodynamic phenomena and rockbursts are among the most challenging to assess and classify. This perception arises from both a review of the literature and an examination of available instructions and regulations in underground mining facilities. The hazard of gaseous geodynamic phenomena in Polish copper ore mines only appeared in 2009, whereas these phenomena occur and are commonly described in other mining countries. In Polish copper ore mines, due to the room and pillar system in fields with lengths of about 460 m, very often parallel to neighboring fields, which together give a length of about 900 m, it is difficult to identify the location of gas traps due to the large size of the area. This paper presents an analysis of the influence of the velocity of the excavation on the possibility of escalating or reducing the described mining hazards. An analysis of the impact of excavation velocity on the state of gaseous geodynamic and roof fall hazards was conducted for two mining fields. For the considered mining fields, the hypothesis was formulated that an excavation velocity greater than or equal to 17 m/month positively influences a reduction in both gaseous geodynamic and roof fall hazards.

Identification of the oversized rock pieces in hydraulic hammer breaking process based on the scanner data geometry features analysis

Due to the harsh conditions in the mining environment, it is difficult to fully automate some of the tasks carried out by mining machines and devices. As part of the technological process of extracting copper ore from Polish mines, the material is broken with a hammer to fit through the screen of a 40×40 cm square shape slot, after which it is loaded and conveyed for further processing. Usually, most of the material remaining on the screen cannot be considered oversized, additionally smaller particles can form blockages or rest on larger blocks. In this case, the crushing is not necessary, and only its movement may be sufficient. The focus of the presented research is on the identification of the particles that would be considered oversized, as it is a crucial task in the breaking hammer automation process. The authors propose a method based on the analysis of initially extracted 3D data copper ore blocks obtained from laser scanning at one of the transfer stations in KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine. The difficulties of measurement are multiplied by the necessity of performing the scan from a single point of view, which was forced by safety concerns. Segmented but incomplete 3D data are processed, which results in finding the geometric features that prevent the material from going through the screen in an automatic manner.

Foreword: Mineral Resources & Energy Congress (SEP) is the largest and the most important conference in Polish mining industry

Foreword: Mineral Resources & Energy Congress (SEP) is the largest and the most important conference in Polish mining industry

Competitiveness of the Polish hard coal mining sector as a fuel supplier for heat and power generation

Competitiveness of the Polish hard coal mining sector as a fuel supplier for heat and power generation

Forecast of the Maximum Methane Concentration in the Longwall Outlet and in the Ventilation Roadway. Case Study

Abstract The mining process of the coal seam wall is accompanied by the release of methane into the mine atmosphere. This process is highly variable and depends on the methane content in the seam and the methane saturation of the rocks surrounding the seam. This is the specificity of the Polish hard coal mining industry. In the article, prognostic formulas for the maximum methane concentration at the outlet of the longwall ventilation gallery were developed. In the presented article, these formulas were used to predict methane concentration at the longwall outlet and in the ventilation gallery at a distance of up to 10 m in front of the longwall. In order to assess the accuracy of the forecasts, their results were compared with the forecast at the exit of the ventilation roadway. The obtained results are so accurate that it is worth repeating this type of check also using measurements in other longwalls. It will allow to reduce the risk of methane explosion during operation.

Comparison of the Analytical Performance of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Techniques in the Elemental Analysis of Coal Fly Ash

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) were applied to study the elemental content of coal combustion residues. Both methods’ analytical applicability and suitability for this type of material were described in detail. A certified reference material, fine fly ash (CTA-FFA-1), was used to examine the capabilities and validation of both methods. A comparison study allowed for the modification of the procedures for these materials (previously elaborated in the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology), resulting in more accurate data with lower uncertainty. We highlighted that INAA and ICPs complemented each other in the analysis of coal and coal combustion residues. The digestion procedure was an integral part of the measurement and affected the environmental analysis results. Both methods were applied to the chemical characteristics of coal ashes from household furnaces. The hard coal was from Polish, Columbian, and Kazakh mines. The majority of elements had similar concentrations, independently of coal origin. Because ash from domestic coal combustion is used as a fertilizer or an anti-icing agent, we assessed the potential environmental impact via leaching experiments (according to PN-EN 12457-2). The potential risk of soil contamination due to ash dumping around the house and its surroundings was determined as insignificant (for the elements investigated).

Legal Aspects of the Evaluation of Tenders in Public Procurement Procedures in the Polish Mining Industry

Public procurement procedures facilitate the purchase of products, services, or civil works by public administrations. In Poland, they follow the national rules specified in the Public Procurement Act. Public procurement aims to ensure a transparent and competitive purchasing process, effective use of public resources, equal treatment of all tenderers, and supply of the best products and services. Various aspects of tender evaluation often determine public procurement and the actual process. Of fundamental importance are price and quality. The Polish mining industry is very mature and includes many stakeholders, such as underground, surface, and borehole mines. Public procurement in the mining industry is specialised and involves complex contracts between the contracting authority and the contractor. Additionally, the mining industry involves very high-risk levels and requires special safety efforts. Therefore, this article presents the analysis results related to evaluating offers in public tenders in the most prominent Polish enterprises of the mining industry. The results indicated what procedures should be carried out and what offer evaluation criteria are essential. The emphasis was placed on ensuring that the selection of offers in this industry are not based only on one criterion: price.

Study on the Usefulness of Lean Management Tools and Techniques in Coal Mines in Poland

The article presents research on the possibilities of utilising the Lean Management method to increase the profitability of coal mining operations through cost rationalisation and production optimisation. The Lean Management method has its roots in the automotive industry, but its significant benefits can allow it to be transferred to other industries. Based on the analysis of global literature describing examples of its application in general mining, as well as the authors’ own observations related to Polish hard coal mining, it was determined that the Lean Management method is not being utilised in this field. This article outlines the course and results of an original expert-mathematical study to assess the usefulness of specific Lean Management tools and techniques in hard coal mining. The study drew on knowledge obtained from selected, competent experts who demonstrated high levels of agreement in their assessments. Five core production areas were identified, and twelve widely used Lean Management tools and techniques were selected. The obtained assessments of the usefulness of Lean tools could serve as valuable guidance for mining management in the selection of methods for improving mining production in coal mines.

Large-Scale Ex Situ Tests for CO2 Storage in Coal Beds

This publication discusses the experiments and findings of project ROCCS (Establishing a Research Observatory to Unlock European Coal Seams for Carbon Dioxide Storage), which aimed to investigate the potential for carbon dioxide storage in coal seams. The project involved large-scale ex situ laboratory tests, where CO2 was injected into an experimental coal seam using a high-pressure reactor at the Central Mining Institute in Poland. The reactor simulated underground conditions, and the experimental coal seam measured 3.05 m in length with a cross-section of 0.4 × 0.4 m. Parameters such as gas flow, temperatures, and pressures were monitored during the experiments. In the study conducted, the sorption capacity of coal from the Polish mine “Piast-Ziemowit” for CO2, at a sorption pressure of 30 bar, was determined to be 4.8% by weight relative to the raw coal mass. The data collected from these ex situ tests can support the design of a potential commercial-scale CO2 storage installation.

Green Building Materials for Circular Economy - Geopolymer Foams

This study aims to design and investigate foamed geopolymers as a green material dedicated to the circular economy. For synthesis as raw material, the main waste materials of two Polish coal mines, Wieczorek and Staszic, are applied. Additionally, various foaming methods are employed to utilize the by-product of energy production, especially the fly ash generated by the Skawina power plant. In this study, the main issues addressed are related to the selection of the most appropriate foaming agent and the optimization of the process parameters, including temperature, time, and mixture components. Hydrogen peroxide, aluminum powder, and a commercial foaming agent are selected as foaming agents in this research. During the process of sample preparation, stabilizers are applied in the form of polyglycol and cellulose. Through the conducted test, the results show that hydrogen peroxide and aluminum powder emerged as the two most optimal foaming agents.

Promotion and implementation of Polish mining investments in foreign markets on the example of Latin America

Foreign investments are essential in deepening economic relations between the EU and Latin America. As Latin America is fortunate enough to have deposits of metals that have become particularly desirable due to the green industrial revolution, it remains one of the dominant directions of exploration and investment in the mining sector. To intensify cooperation within the mining industries based on their complementarity, common goals, and shared values, the EU-Latin America Mineral Development Network Platform was established for all entities relevant to the mining sector, not only authorities but also businesses (including SMEs) and scientific and research units. To create a common European understanding of best practices in the processing and mining of raw materials in terms of social, environmental, and economic performance, voluntary EU principles for sustainable raw materials have been developed. Moreover, many EU countries working on updating or implementing (Poland) mineral policies, and more and more EU and Polish mining companies have been reporting non-financial aspects and impacts on local development, also in foreign countries. At the end of 2022, the European Commission proposed a Critical Raw Materials Act: securing the new gas & oil at the heart of our economy initiative to enhance the diversification and supply of critical raw materials to Europe. So far, the largest Polish foreign investment is a copper mine in Sierra Gorda in Chile, owned by KGHM Polska Miedź SA together with the Japanese Sumitomo Group (from February 2022, Australian mining group South32). Even according to KGHM CEO, Marcin Chludziński, the Sierra Gorda mine had needed restructuring and now is a demanding but very satisfying project. KGHM reported that the revised EBITDA for 2021 was the highest and achieved PLN 10.3 billion (ca EUR 2.3 billion) year on year (+56%) and for the first time, Sierra Gorda began to pay off its liabilities towards the owners. Moreover, the mine received an award in the category of large producers awarded by the State Mining Association in Chile (SONAMI). In addition to mining activities in the field of exploration and exploitation of deposits, Poland is developing cooperation in technology (mining machinery) and education. To ensure sustainable extraction of raw materials additional skills are required, in particular in the area of management and social sciences. The aim of the paper is to analyze and identify factors and best practices enhancing international cooperation and the environmental sustainability of minerals in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on the example of Polish investments in Chile. The analyzed case studies in a broader context, including the EU and Polish mineral policy, allow for the development of certain recommendations and tools for the promotion of foreign investments in the mining industry.

The Need and Advantages to Intensify Exploratory and Evaluative Works on the Areas of Undeveloped Zinc and Lead Ores’ Deposits of the Silesian and Cracovian Region

Abstract Zinc and lead metal ores are minerals intended for strategically producing raw materials for the Polish economy, as indicated in the key Polish document: State Raw Materials Policy (PSP2050). It was specified among others that an important factor that will influence the development of Polish economy will be the access to key mineral raw materials from domestic resources. Currently Polish Zn-Pb ores mining no longer exists as the last operating mine Olkusz-Pomorzany that belonged to the Mining and Metallurgic Plant “Bolesław” Joint Stock Company due to the depletion of resources finished extraction in 2020. Despite this fact there still are areas of great potential in the scope of these minerals in Poland. It is the Zawiercie region, where there has been no extraction of these ores so far and is believed to have the best perspectives for future development. One should connect with this region the nearest future of functioning of the domestic Zn-Pb ores’ mining. It is in this region that the “Zawiercie 3” ore is situated. The ore was documented in 2014 by a private investor within the framework of the permit to search for and identify Zn-Pb ore deposits and it is currently the largest as to resources Zn-Pb ores’ deposit in Poland. Its resources are currently over 35 million tonnes, which constitutes app. 39% of all the documented balance sheet resources of Zn-Pb ores in Poland. The presented geological works performed by the private investor on the area of the “Zawiercie 3” ore and the results that were achieved thanks to them clearly indicate that well-designed and thoroughly performed exploratory and evaluative works that combine international standards and Polish guidelines can significantly influence the degree of documentation and the increase of resources in undeveloped Zn-Pb ores’ deposits.

The impact of EU Taxonomy regulations on the reporting of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in polish mining

The impact of EU Taxonomy regulations on the reporting of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in polish mining

The Effect of the Blasthole Diameter on the Detonation Velocity of Bulk Emulsion Explosive in the Conditions of Selected Mining Panel of the Rudna Mine

The blasting technique is currently the basic excavation method in Polish underground copper mines. Applied explosives are usually described by parameters determined on the basis of specific standa ...

The conditions for proper operation of the arch-rectangular support

Steel arch-rectangular support has a wide range of applications in Polish coal mines due to its asymmetrical shape. The frame has an arched outline on one side of the side wall, while on the opposite side it is rectangular. As a result, the support is ideal for securing set up room and recovery room. It can also be successfully used to secure three-way intersections of underground workings. To a large extent, however, the importance of these advantages is diminished by relatively low load-bearing parameters, resulting from a partially straight canopy, as well as the asymmetrical distribution of the load acting on the support in underground conditions. In order to ensure the proper and optimal operation of such frames, in addition to the standard requirements for roof supports, additional conditions must be met. The basic requirement is to support the end of the canopy on the corner of the excavation. This article presents examples of arch-rectangular supports, their applications as well as laboratory tests and strength analysis of the frames and its elements. These tests allowed the requirements regarding the construction of the frame, the selection of the support and the conditions of building in the excavation to be specified.

Configurational Path of Decarbonisation Based on Coal Mine Methane (CMM): An Econometric Model for the Polish Mining Industry

This study presents the econometric model for the Polish mining industry on the topic of the configuration path of decarbonisation based on coal mine methane (CMM). CMM is released from coal mines around the world, including Poland. CMM is taken into account in the decarbonisation of countries with the highest underground coal production. Over the past ten years, CMM emissions have been gaining greater attention due to their status as We accept greenhouse gas (GHG) and their potential use as a clean energy resource. The very important problem for the mining plants is the system of controlling the level of methane. In this paper, we present an econometric model for mine production linear programming, taking into account both market considerations and controlling the amount of methane released into the air from mines. This model can use to control methane in the Polish mining industry. Moreover, this model can be used in the strategy of decarbonisation of the Polish industry according to the European strategy toward net zero (2050).