Speaker of the Sejm visits the deepest coal mine in Poland

During his visit, Speaker Holownia learned about the operations of the mine and the entire Jastrzebska Spólka Weglowa, which produces coking coal – a raw material included on the EU's list of critical raw materials necessary for steel smelting.

Before visiting the mine, the Speaker underwent the necessary training to authorise him to go underground. Then – accompanied by Ryszard Janta, President of the JSW Management Board, Adam Rozmus, Vice-President of the JSW Management Board for Technical and Operational Matters, Krzysztof Baranowski, Director of the Budryk mine, and Wieslaw Chylek, Technical Director of the mine – he descended to the 1290 m level via shaft VI. This is the deepest level in coal mines in Poland, where the temperature of the rock mass reaches almost 50°C.

From the shaft by suspended cable cars, the group proceeded to the area of the Bw-3 longwall, which was the purpose of the visit. After a 300 m walk from the passenger station, the Speaker of the Sejm and his attendants stood at the entrance of the Bw-3 longwall. It took a good dozen minutes to walk along the 200 m longwall, where mining was under way. This was followed by a march to the 1000 level and a trip to the surface.

“What I saw today made a huge impression on me and will definitely stay with me. Visits such as this one today teach respect and humility towards people who do a difficult and responsible job, who go down and up five days a week for 25 years. I hope that you will always be accompanied simply by luck and God's protection”, said Szymon Holownia immediately after leaving the mine.

“I did not come here to present plans or to spin a vision. I came to listen, to see the mining reality. What I learned from you today will be helpful in my work. Thank you for allowing me to spend this time with you. I hope this is not our last meeting. I have already heard tentative invitations related to the Miners’ Day. If they are upheld, we will of course see each other again”, the Speaker Holownia added in conclusion.

Photo: Dawid Lach

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/04062024/speaker-of-the-sejm-visits-the-deepest-coal-mine-in-poland/