Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi - Mineral Resources Management

The article presents a model for substituting hard coal in the Polish energy market based on input– output tables. The study addresses the crucial issue of how the gradual reduction in domestic hard coal supply can be compensated for through alternative energy carriers. The proposed model combines techno-economic parameters with inter-industry flows, allowing the simultaneous assessment of technical feasibility, cost structures, and macroeconomic consequences of substitution.

Several Reduction Variants (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) were analyzed together with Substitution Variants, covering imported coal, natural gas, and electricity under diverse price scenarios. Import capacity limits, conversion efficiencies, and investment and operating costs were explicitly included, which makes the results not only technically possible but also economically meaningful.

The results show that substitution structures are highly sensitive to price relations between imported coal and natural gas. When gas prices are low, natural gas dominates as the main substitute. Conversely, when imported coal is cheaper, coal retains its advantage. Electricity imports, due to high unit costs and limited infrastructure, play only a marginal role. Beyond the energy balance, the model also reflects changes in depreciation, net operating surplus, and tax flows, thereby capturing the broader economic impact. The findings underline the importance of flexible import infrastructure and reducing exposure to international price volatility.

The study is conducted to assess the geological and technological parameters that affect the prospects for the development of methane-coal deposits and ensure efficient and economically feasible extraction of methane from coal seams. This study uses methods to analyze geological data and the physical and chemical properties of coal seams and to examine the technologies and economic aspects of methane extraction from coal seams. The study includes an assessment of industrial methane production from coal seams using international practice and a comparative analysis of the geological characteristics of deposits in accordance with international standards. Geodynamic features of coal structures affecting the formation of natural cracks and reservoir permeability were considered, as well as the potential use of artificial methods to increase permeability and improve gas production processes. In this study, modern views on the relationship between methane and coal are presented based on theoretical and experimental data from physical chemistry and studies on the properties of sorbents. It is identified that gas permeability through coal seams depends on their general structure, pressure fluctuations, and special pressure dynamics of rocks. Moreover, it was determined that intact coal seams exhibit permeability dependent on the integrity of the formation. The importance of developing modern methods of methane extraction in accordance with environmental and energy standards was emphasized. In particular, the Karaganda basin has become a promising region for methane extraction initiatives, given its geological characteristics. The results of the study provided valuable information for the development of effective strategies for extracting methane from coal deposits, which will contribute to improving the environment, increasing energy sustainability, and reducing dependence on traditional energy sources.

The Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on reducing methane emissions in the energy sector (the Methane Regulation) places significant emphasis on reducing methane emissions from hard coal mines. This issue is particularly acute for Poland, the only EU country where hard coal mining is still carried out on a large scale. Starting in 2025, the flaring of gas and venting of methane from drainage systems shall be prohibited. Furthermore, starting in 2027, the Regulation bans the release of methane into the atmosphere from ventilation shafts in coal mines emitting more than five tonnes of methane per kilotonne of produced coal. From 2031, this limit will be reduced to three tonnes. The high methane content of Polish mines necessitates actions to minimize the risk of additional costs associated with mining operations.

The primary objective of the article is to analyze the feasibility of meeting the Regulation’s requirements by Polish mining companies. The analysis indicates that achieving the limits will depend on increasing the efficiency of methane capture (up to at least 50%), full utilization of captured methane (e.g., through sale or use for electricity and heat production), and adjusting production levels based on the methane content of individual mines. Reducing output in high-methane mines could enable compliance with the requirements in the years 2027–2030. From the perspective of the State Treasury, the majority owner of the mining companies, consolidating operators could also be a potential solution, enabling joint emission balancing. Detailed regulations specifying the penalties for non-compliance with the Regulation are still awaited.

Production planning in underground hard coal mines faces high uncertainty from geological variability. T he longwall face advance is a key parameter determining production outcomes. T his article models this advance rate based on local geological, hazard, technical, and organizational parameters. Instead of tonnage (a composite parameter), this research models the linear advance rate itself, representing the primary and most unpredictable component of excavation. T his provides a utilitarian tool for decision-support systems and efficient deposit management. The research used integrated 5-year data from three hard coal mines, acquired from digital deposit models, scheduling systems, and operational reports, and aggregated monthly. Following a selection from 71 variables, a final set of 26 independent variables and one dependent variable (longwall advance per shift with production) was chosen. L inear Mixed Models (LMMs) were applied to incorporate the hierarchical data structure (seams nested within mines). The model demonstrates a good fit, explaining 64% of total variance (conditional R2c = 0.64), while fixed effects alone account for 43% (marginal R2m = 0.43). Results indicate organizational factors have a dominant impact. T he random effects analysis revealed 33.2% of residual variance stems from immeasurable, systematic differences between mines, highlighting the crucial role of mine-specific management factors. By successfully quantifying these diverse factors within a stable LMM, this study provides a model with improved predictive accuracy, establishing an effective foundation for operational planning and resource management.

The Silesia region of Poland, historically reliant on coal mining, faces a critical juncture in advancing its energy transition amidst socio-economic and environmental challenges. This study examines the interplay of the energy trilemma – security, sustainability, and affordability – and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action) in the region. By employing a mixed-methods approach, including desk-based research, focus group discussions, and case study analysis, the research identifies key barriers and opportunities for a just energy transition. Findings reveal the pervasive impact of energy poverty, exacerbated by coal dependency, aging infrastructure, and economic vulnerabilities linked to the energy transition. Limited administrative knowledge, fragmented data systems, and insufficient interdepartmental cooperation hinder comprehensive strategies for alleviating energy poverty. The study highlights the importance of developing tailored energy poverty indicators, fostering interdepartmental collaboration, and promoting public awareness and education. Short-term recommendations include enhancing administrative capacities, establishing mechanisms for data collection, and supporting vulnerable households with financial aid and energy-efficient technologies. Long-term strategies emphasize economic diversification, renewable energy adoption, and systemic reforms to ensure equitable access to clean energy. Silesia’s energy transition holds transformative potential for balancing the energy trilemma while meeting national and EU climate goals. This research underscores the need for coordinated, multidimensional policies to support vulnerable communities and drive sustainable development. The findings aim to guide Silesia and similar coal-dependent regions in navigating complex energy transitions and achieving a just, inclusive, and sustainable energy future.

In recent years, priority has been given in the areas of waste management and environmental protection to measures aimed at maximizing the utilization of raw materials and products and minimizing the amount of waste generated. Advanced technologies also allow for the recovery of secondary raw materials from waste, which, in the case of mining and industrial waste that has been deposited in the past on heaps, dumps, and industrial landfills, enables effective protection of the mineral deposits’ resources and balanced management of them. The possibility of substituting raw materials with waste generated in the mining and processing sector is conditioned by economic factors, including above all the quantity and composition of the waste, as well as environmental factors, especially when disposal sites are incorporated into the landscape as valuable natural, cultural, or recreational objects. A SWOT/TOWS analysis can be one step in the decision-making process aimed at assessing their potential (economic and environmental). By systematizing information and considering the current state, this tool is used to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a planned project. This paper attempts to use SWOT/TOWS analysis as an instrument to help decide on a strategy for dealing with heaps, dumps, and industrial landfills and the waste accumulated on them. The use of SWOT/TOWS analysis in the process of preliminary assessment of two different courses of action allowed the identification of strengths and weaknesses (representing internal factors) as well as opportunities and threats (describing external factors) of the analyzed options. The SWOT/TOWS analysis carried out allowed an aggressive strategy to emerge for further action, for both management scenarios.

Treatment of a nickel laterite ore sample from the Wolo mine area of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been performed at a low-intensity magnetic separator before and after roasting the ore using corncob charcoal as a reductant. This paper aims to analyze the effect of particle sizes on Fe-Ni enrichment and recoveries of both unroasted and roasted magnetic fractions. Mineralogical analysis of the ore sample, unroasted and roasted products, was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDX) techniques, respectively, while the chemical composition of the ore sample, unroasted, and roasted magnetic products was determined employing X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Samples with different particle sizes (–80+100, –100+140, –140+200, and –200) mesh were magnetically separated before and after being roasted at 1,000°C for 1 hour with 10% reductant. The SEM-EDX results showed that Ni is mainly hosted in lizardite and goethite. The beneficiation result reveals that the smaller particle size exhibits a higher Ni grade than the larger one. This is shown in the unroasted products, where the maximum grade occurs in the –200 mesh fraction, increasing the Ni grade from 1.9% in raw ore to 2.44% in unroasted magnetic products. Meanwhile, the roasted products have the maximum Ni grade in the –140+200 mesh fraction, increasing the Ni grade from 1.9% in raw ore to 2.17% in roasted magnetic fraction. However, the Ni recovery of unroasted concentrates is much lower (10.85%) than that of roasted products (81.13%).

Aiming to improve ore particle size prediction accuracy in the beneficiation process, depending on the number of labeled samples and the fact that the traditional prediction model does not have continuous learning ability, the incremental semi-supervised ore size prediction algorithm is proposed. Taking the actual ore particle size data as the research object, we use semi-supervised learning and integrated learning to obtain high-quality pseudo-labeled samples, expand the limited number of labeled samples as incremental data for incremental training, and dynamically update the parameters of the prediction model to maintain good prediction ability. The incremental semi-supervised ore particle size prediction algorithm is validated using the ore particle size dataset obtained by the sieving method. The results show that the model coefficient of determination of the incremental semisupervised ore particle size prediction algorithm reaches 0.9934. The root mean square error and the average absolute error are 0.00354 and 0.00086, the evaluation indexes after training on five different numbers of data sets are higher than the traditional prediction model, compared with the traditional prediction model prediction accuracy and generalization ability is significantly improved, in the face of the sample distribution changes in the face of the problem with the ability to dynamically learn new knowledge, to the intelligent management of the mining industry production field provides a good solution to improve the accuracy of the detection of the particle size of the ore to provide a strong technical support.

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) is a method used to fill the gaps in the underground production method. The main component of CPB is cement, which costs a high price. Therefore, some studies have continued in the search for materials to replace cement. In this context, the mechanical behavior of the material obtained following the substitution of ore preparation plant tailings from Kastamonu- Küre copper mine instead of cement using thermal power plant fly ash (FA) in certain proportions by weight was investigated. The results indicate that substituting FA in all cement proportions increases the compressive strength of the CBP mixtures. Up to 20% of the amount and cost of cement has been saved by using FA instead of portland cement (PC). Thus, there is an opportunity for a reduction in the amount of CO2 emissions, a greenhouse gas, from the cement production process. Besides, an economic income was provided to the enterprise by reusing coal thermal power plant waste. As a result, significant benefits have been provided to the mining sector in terms of operation, environment, and cost.

On February 1, 2021, silver prices increased by 10%; retailers did not have physical silver for sale, and the media pointed to massive demand for silver. This event was caused by an unusual activity by retail investors that aimed to corner the silver market. The 2021 Silver Squeeze represents an interesting case study for analyzing retail investors’ actions on commodity markets. However, it is poorly analyzed in the literature because another squeeze on GME stocks overshadowed it. This paper aims to fill the research gap. We examine the event’s phases, drivers, and outcomes using a mixed-method approach, including quantitative price and market data analysis, qualitative Reddit content evaluation, and conceptual modeling. We examine the day-by-day events leading to the anomaly in this commodity. This allowed us to understand the motivations of the retail investors. We found key motivations that ignited a decentralized campaign to short-squeeze the silver market, such as Quantitative Easing, GME success, Hunt Brothers history, the rise of social media platforms, low-commission retail brokers, silver bugs, and stimulus checks. This study also presents a model – the conceptual model of action – which helps explain the Silver Squeeze. This model allows for an understanding of retail-driven buying, supply-demand mismatches, and pressures for physical delivery. Finally, we compare the Silver Squeeze of 2021 on commodity markets with traditional squeezes. The comparison showed remarkable differences from the traditional squeeze. The findings also have broader implications for regulators, emphasizing the need to balance market stability with the accessibility of retail-driven financial innovation.