My name is Alan and for years I have been proving that travel has many faces. We often seek out exotic destinations on the other side of the world, forgetting what fascinating stories lie right beneath our feet. Quite literally, visiting the mines and Silesia itself are experiences that can surprise any traveller.

Today, I’ll take you on a journey deep into the earth. The coal mines of Silesia are not just industrial sites; they are the beating heart of the region, which has dictated the rhythm of life for generations since the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century. The history of Silesian mines is fascinating, and understanding this industrial landscape allows us to view reality from a new perspective. Let’s discover together the places where the hard work of human hands still meets the power of nature.

Where is hard coal still mined in Upper Silesia? Map of active mines

The hard coal mines currently in operation in Silesia are concentrated in the southern and western parts of the province. These are the areas of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, where profitable coal mining in Silesia is still possible thanks to the rich deposits of the raw material.

These mines are clustered around towns such as Rybnik, Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Ruda Śląska, Katowice and Mysłowice. Over time, they have merged, resulting in the largest coal companies in Silesia forming multi-site giants. The brief list of mines in Silesia below will show you how this works in detail.

Which specific mines form part of the Polish Mining Group (PGG)?

The Polish Mining Group (PGG) manages seven integrated mines, which were formed from the merger of a dozen or so smaller operations. This structure facilitates management and enables these Silesian hard coal mines to share their underground transport infrastructure more efficiently.

When I look at maps of the mines in Silesia and analyse the mining industry there, it is clear to me that PGG is the largest producer of thermal coal in Europe. Here are the main plants that make up the group:

• KWK ROW (Rybnik, Radlin, Rydułtowy) – a massive complex formed by the merger of the Chwałowice, Jankowice, Marcel and Rydułtowy mines.
• KWK Ruda (Ruda Śląska) – combines the Bielszowice and Halemba mining operations.
• KWK Piast-Ziemowit (Bieruń, Lędziny) – a mine with a vast mining area.
• KWK Mysłowice-Wesoła (Mysłowice) – one of the key plants in the eastern part of the conurbation.
• Staszic-Wujek Coal Mine (Katowice) – a symbolic merger of two historic Katowice mines.
• Bolesław Śmiały Coal Mine (Łaziska Górne) – closely linked to the local power station.
• Sośnica Coal Mine (Gliwice) – PGG’s westernmost mine.

Which Silesian mines belong to Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW)?

Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) operates four mines, the primary focus of which is coking coal, essential for steel production. These hard coal mines in Upper Silesia are situated in the south-western part of the province, where geological conditions are challenging but the reserves are extremely valuable.

For anyone interested in exploring the workings of the economy, JSW in Poland is a fascinating case of strategic importance for the entire European Union. Its operations include, amongst others:

• KWK Borynia-Zofiówka (Jastrzębie-Zdrój)
• Budryk Coal Mine (Ornontowice) – one of the deepest mines in Poland, reaching depths of over 1,200 metres.
• Knurów-Szczygłowice Coal Mine (Knurów)
• Pniówek Coal Mine (Pawłowice)

What role does the Rybnik Coal District play in the structure of Silesian mining?

The Rybnik Coal District (ROW) is the true heart of Poland’s energy and coking coal mining industry, supplying over a third of the country’s output. It is here that mining in Upper Silesia continues to thrive, bringing together some of the most vibrant and resource-rich mines in the Polish system.

It is here that the latest investments are concentrated, and the local community is most closely linked to mining culture. Walking through the streets of Rybnik or Radlin, you will easily feel the industrial pulse that still drives the city.

Are there still active coal mines in the Dąbrowa Basin?

No, as far as the Dąbrowa Basin is concerned, there are no longer any deep-level hard coal mines operating there. The last such facility, the Kazimierz-Juliusz Coal Mine in Sosnowiec, ceased production in May 2015.

From a historical perspective, this is a huge change, as the area was once a pillar of Poland’s industrialisation. Today, much like the numerous disused hard coal mines in Upper Silesia, the revitalised areas are becoming a treasure trove of extraordinary places. Instead of active mine shafts, you will find modern investment and leisure zones there.

What types of coal are mined in Silesian mines?

Two different types of raw material are brought to the surface from the depths of the earth, though it is worth remembering that hard coal is the region’s undisputed speciality, unlike in places where coal mines once operated in Lower Silesia or where open-cast lignite mines were found in Lower Silesia. Here, the quality is determined by the degree of carbonisation of the organic matter and the chemical properties of the rock, ultimately yielding thermal coal and coking coal.

How does coking coal differ from thermal coal mined in Silesia?

Coking coal is a strategic raw material for steel smelting in steelworks, whilst thermal coal is used to generate electricity and heat. The differences between them are stark and determine their market value.

Coking coal is characterised by its ability to sinter at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. This process produces coke – a fuel with high calorific value and mechanical stability, essential in steelworks blast furnaces.

Characteristic	Thermal Coal	Coking Coal
Main application	Power stations, combined heat and power plants, domestic heating	Steelworks, chemical industry, coke production
Key parameters	High calorific value, low sulphur and ash content	Caking capacity (Rog number), plasticity, chemical purity
Status in the EU	Raw material subject to decarbonisation (extinguishing)	Critical raw material (strategic for European industry)
Main producer in Poland	Polish Mining Group (PGG)	Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW)

What is coal mining and underground work like in Silesian mines?

To someone on the surface, a typical coal mine in Silesia is just a shaft tower visible from afar. Meanwhile, the real work in a Silesian mine takes place hundreds of metres below. It is an underground city, a network of workings resembling streets, where personal lamps shine instead of the sun, and the silence is replaced by the roar of machinery.

Experiencing this space changes one’s perspective forever. Physical exertion and engineering precision create a unique ecosystem here, often far more complex than that of the historic hard coal mines in Lower Silesia.

What is the longwall mining method?

The longwall system involves cutting through the coal seam with a shearer, which moves along a face up to 300 metres long, where the main element is the so-called longwall. This is the most efficient and most common method in Polish mines.

Imagine this. The mining face is a narrow gap between the roof and the floor. The shearer uses its cutting tools to break off chunks of coal, which fall onto a reinforced conveyor (known as a chute). To prevent the rock from crushing the miners and equipment, the working area is secured by mechanised longwall supports – steel giants moving behind the shearer. Behind the support, the roof is deliberately collapsed or filled with material.

What are mine shafts used for and what types are there?

Mine shafts are vertical workings connecting the surface with underground galleries. They act as the plant’s respiratory and transport system, without which work in the depths would be impossible.

There are three main types of shafts:

• Extraction (skip) shafts – equipped with large containers, they haul excavated material to the surface to the processing plant.
• Access (material and access) shafts – miners descend into the mine in cage lifts via these. They are also used to transport machinery and materials.
• Ventilation (exhaust) shafts – these force air circulation, extracting stale, dusty and methane-saturated air to the outside.

What role do belt conveyor systems play in coal transport?

Conveyor belts are underground highways that collect coal from the face and transport it to storage bins beneath the mining shafts. They are the lifeblood of the mine.

They consist of tens of kilometres of rubber belts moving continuously over steel rollers. If the conveyor belt stops, the entire mining face comes to a standstill. The excavated material often has to travel several kilometres before reaching the hoist.

What are the greatest hazards in the mines of Silesia and how are they countered?

Working underground means playing with the forces of nature on a daily basis. The rocks are under immense pressure, and the fissures are filled with toxic and explosive gases. Health and safety has become an absolute priority here, which is why the mining industry has developed strict procedures over the centuries to protect the workforce; however, the risk is never zero.

What causes rock bursts in mines and how do they affect the surface?

A rock burst is a violent release of energy accumulated in the rock mass, triggered by a disturbance to its equilibrium caused by the excavation of a working. The result of such rock bursts is the ejection of rock into the tunnel and a powerful seismic wave.

On the surface, they are felt as tremors resembling earthquakes, often causing mining damage such as cracks in buildings and damage to infrastructure. To prevent them, miners drill relief holes and use controlled blasting to release the stress in the rock in a controlled manner.

What methods are used to combat the methane hazard in Silesian mines?

The methane hazard is mainly neutralised by injecting huge quantities of fresh air, which dilutes the gas below the explosion limit. Methane is an odourless, flammable gas trapped in coal seams.

When concentrations rise, methane extraction is used. This involves drilling deep holes into the rock before mining begins. The methane is sucked up through pipelines to the surface, where it often powers the mine’s combined heat and power plants, turning the hazard into energy.

How do mines protect workers from developing pneumoconiosis?

Protection against dust is based on intensively spraying the mined coal with water, which causes the dust to settle before the worker has a chance to inhale it. Ultimately, pneumoconiosis is an extremely dangerous and irreversible occupational disease that must be combated at all costs.

Water curtains are installed on the shearers, and sprinkler systems on the conveyors. Additionally, miners in the areas with the highest dust levels use dust masks. Every underground worker undergoes regular spirometry and X-ray examinations.

How do mine rescue stations operate during accidents?

Mine rescue stations are elite, highly trained units on 24-hour standby, ready to descend immediately in specialised oxygen equipment. When all else fails, they spring into action in the event of a fire, a cave-in or toxic gas concentrations.

Rescuers move around in apparatus that allows them to breathe for several hours in an oxygen-deprived atmosphere. Their work involves unimaginable effort. They crawl through narrow passages and carry out the injured. In addition to the mine stations in Bytom, there is the Central Mine Rescue Station, which coordinates the most difficult operations in the country.

How do the mines in Silesia deal with the environmental impact of mining?

Interference with the earth’s structure does not go unnoticed on the surface. Environmental issues are a sensitive topic in the region, yet awareness of the challenges and the technologies to mitigate the effects are now on a completely different level than they were half a century ago.

How can mining damage caused by mining operations be reported and repaired?

The owner of the damaged property must submit a written claim for compensation directly to the mining company operating in the area. This is the first step in the procedure.

The mine is obliged to carry out an on-site inspection. The settlement usually takes the form of restoration to the previous condition (a construction team repairs the damage) or the payment of a one-off compensation.

What happens to the waste and how are Silesian spoil heaps reclaimed?

Waste rock, extracted alongside the raw material, is deposited in spoil heaps, commonly known as slag heaps, which are then carefully reclaimed. Transforming these man-made mountains into green spaces is an art in itself.

Reclamation begins by extinguishing any spontaneous combustion of coal. Next, slopes are formed, the soil is fertilised, and hardy species of grass and trees are planted. Today, reclaimed spoil heaps are often oases of biodiversity.

How do mines drain and treat groundwater?

Highly saline mine water is continuously pumped from underground to the surface into special settling tanks to prevent uncontrolled flooding of the workings.

After the suspended solids have been separated, the water is sent to desalination plants, where clean water and salt are recovered using reverse osmosis. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of the saline water still flows via discharge systems into rivers, including the Vistula and the Oder, which represents one of Silesia’s greatest environmental challenges.

What is the carbon footprint of coal extraction and combustion from Silesian mines?

The carbon footprint is enormous. Burning one tonne of hard coal results in CO2 emissions of over 2.4 tonnes. Added to this is the methane escaping during the drilling of tunnels, which, as a greenhouse gas, is over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Transporting the excavated material and running the fans consume huge amounts of energy. These figures have forced the EU to radically change its approach to fossil fuels and are driving the shift away from this energy source.

Which post-mining sites in Silesia have been successfully reclaimed?

Huge holes in the ground and rusty structures are giving way to architectural and recreational gems. Discovering these places provides plenty of inspiration. Here are some examples of smart space regeneration:

• The Culture Zone in Katowice – built on the site of the former Katowice Mine. It houses the Silesian Museum (with underground galleries), the headquarters of the NOSPR and the International Congress Centre.
• Gródek Park in Jaworzno – a former dolomite quarry, flooded with water, known as the Polish Maldives. The crystal-clear water and suspended footbridges make an incredible impression.
• Silesian Park – although created on post-steelworks wasteland and abandoned pits, it proves that even the most degraded area can be transformed into the green lungs of the conurbation.

What future awaits Silesian mining in the era of the energy transition?

We are witnessing history, as the energy transition is knocking on our door. The era that shaped Upper Silesia is slowly coming to an end. The ongoing closure of coal mines in Silesia and the decarbonisation process itself are irreversible changes, and the challenge lies in carrying them out wisely, with respect for the people and their heritage.

What is the timetable for phasing out coal mines as part of decarbonisation?

In accordance with social agreements, the complete phase-out of thermal coal production in Poland will take place by the end of 2049. The timetable provides for the gradual closure of successive mines.

The oldest mines, with depleted deposits and the lowest profitability, will be closed first. ROW mines and JSW plants extracting coking coal will operate for the longest. This timetable is driving the evolution of the local economy.

What does the social agreement on the phasing out of mining in Silesia contain?

The social agreement is a 2021 accord between the government and various trade unions, guaranteeing underground workers employment until they retire.

If a mine is closed earlier, the worker is transferred to another operational site. The agreement also covers severance packages, miners’ leave and a mechanism for subsidising production from the state budget until 2049. This acts as a safety valve against a sudden social crisis.

How do funds from the European Union’s Just Transition Fund support the region?

The strategically managed Just Transition Fund is a massive injection of billions of euros from the EU to mitigate the effects of mine closures in the Silesian Voivodeship. This money is intended to create a new business model for Silesia.

The funds are being invested in land reclamation, supporting start-ups, thermal modernisation and free training for outgoing miners. The aim is to build renewable energy, IT and modern service sectors on the ruins of the old industry.

How will decarbonisation affect future employment in Silesian mines?

The number of jobs underground will steadily decline, whilst the demand for specialists in shaft decommissioning and slag heap revitalisation will rise.

This is a natural generational shift. Young people rarely choose mining schools these days. Instead of operating a shearer, the new generation of Silesians is specialising in renewable energy sources, industrial automation and materials engineering.

What impact do trade unions have on the operation of mines?

Trade unions in Silesia wield considerable bargaining power, influencing not only pay rises but also the strategic decisions of coal companies. They are an integral part of this ecosystem.

They are capable of mobilising thousands of workers in the event of job cuts and often act as a buffer between government policy and the workforce. A decision to close a mine cannot be made without their analysis and approval.

How to discover Silesia’s mining heritage? Culture, work and industrial tourism

For me, true travel means gaining a deep understanding of a place. If you want to experience what Upper Silesia is really like, you must go underground and visit the historic mines of Silesia. It’s worth touching the cold steel, listening to the brass band and eating a roulade in a former workers’ settlement. I’ll show you how to experience this.

What qualifications are needed to work in a coal mine in Silesia?

The path to working underground begins with rigorous physical and psychological tests and completing a specialist health and safety course. This isn’t a job you can just walk into off the street.

It requires obtaining numerous certificates issued by the Regional Mining Authority, confirming specialist mining qualifications. Miners are, in fact, qualified electricians, mechanics, blasters and heavy machinery operators who must have a thorough knowledge of first aid procedures in confined spaces.

How is the miners’ festival, Barbórka, celebrated in the mines of Silesia?

The fourth of December, or Barbórka, is the most important day of the year in Silesia, celebrated with solemn masses and morning parades of company brass bands, which play reveille in the housing estates.

It is a festival full of rituals. Ceremonies are held, featuring the presentation of miners’ daggers and swords. A unique experience is provided by traditional beer taverns and women’s gatherings, where songs are sung and anecdotes told over a pint. Barbórka is a moment when the ethos of hard work shines in all its glory.

How to visit the historic Guido Mine in Zabrze and what can you see there?

The tour offered by the Guido Mine in Zabrze begins with a descent on a real, rattling mine car to a depth of 320 metres, which immediately gets your heart racing and makes you realise the conditions in which miners work.

Down below, darkness punctuated by the light of torches awaits you. As you walk through authentic mine galleries, you’ll see a giant longwall shearer in action and take a ride on a suspended railway. This isn’t a boring museum; it’s a tangible experience of industry, topped off with a pint of beer in Europe’s lowest-lying pub.

Which mining sites are located on the Silesian Industrial Monuments Route?

The Silesian Voivodeship Industrial Monuments Route is a ready-made itinerary for anyone looking for unconventional ideas for the weekend. It features the region’s most valuable sites.

Here are the must-see sites worth noting down:

• The Guido Mine in Zabrze – authentic descent into the depths.
• Queen Louise Adit in Zabrze – features an underground water route (boat trip).
• The Historic Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Ignacy Mine in Rybnik – featuring preserved steam-powered hoisting machinery.
• The Maciej Shaft in Zabrze – a complex converted into a restaurant.

How does the Silesian Museum in Katowice commemorate the history of mining?

The Silesian Museum is an architectural masterpiece that has moved its main galleries several metres underground, paying tribute to the KWK Katowice mine on whose site it was built.

Restored shaft towers have been left above ground, and the entire complex is situated close to the city centre, where Tadeusza Dobrowolskiego Street runs, amongst others. One of the towers now serves as a viewing point offering an incredible panorama of the city. Down below, a multimedia exhibition entitled “The Light of History: Upper Silesia Through the Ages” awaits. You enter as a tourist and leave with a deeper understanding of the soul of this region.

How did the development of the mines influence the industrialisation and urbanisation of Silesian towns?

The mines literally shaped the map of today’s region, and rapid industrialisation meant that in just a hundred years, agricultural settlements transformed into one of Europe’s most densely populated conurbations, complete with an extensive railway network.

Workers’ housing estates – unique brick-built workers’ settlements, such as Nikiszowiec in Katowice – were built around the mine shafts. The entire infrastructure: hospitals, roads, and even the layout of the towns, was geared towards the logistics of coal transport and the needs of the miners. Today’s Silesian towns are architectural relics of the Industrial Revolution.

If you’re thinking of an extraordinary trip, Upper Silesia awaits. The most precious things are often hidden off the beaten track. Pack your rucksack, go offline and discover this incredible heritage. I look forward to hearing your impressions of the underground trails!