The meeting was organized by EURACOAL and the European Research Executive Agency and hosted by Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa SA, a leader in transition activities in the mining sector.
- As a co-organizer of the event, I am glad that we can talk together about the challenges and future of the mining sector, especially in the context of the green transition and raw material security in Europe. Today JSW is the largest - and soon the only - producer of coking coal in the European Union. This coal, also known as metallurgical coal, is included in the list of critical raw materials for the EU economy. Its role is strategic - without coking coal it is impossible to make steel, and without steel it is impossible to realize the energy transition, expand RES infrastructure or carry out innovative technological projects - said Ryszard Janta, JSW SA President.
Minister of Industry Marzena Czarnecka, the patron of the conference, spoke about the need for responsible transition in Silesia.
- The transition is happening here and now - we are in the midst of it, but at the same time we are aware that it is a process that is still ahead of us. We are not running away from this challenge. However, we know that it must be done responsibly - so as not to lead to a catastrophic situation in the region. 20-30 years ago we witnessed a painful experience - mines were closed down overnight and whole areas were left to fend for themselves. This led to a deep social and economic collapse, the effects of which are still being felt today. We can't let this history repeat itself. Therefore, we will do everything to make the current transition fair, well-prepared and above all - to serve the people - the minister said at the conference.
The focus was on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS), supporting a just transition towards a European Green Deal. Special emphasis was placed on reducing methane emissions and repurposing post-mining infrastructure.
One of the key points of the program was the presentation of the MERP project, implemented by Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa SA, which received record EU funding for activities related to reducing methane emissions from post-mining goafs.
- At JSW, we are implementing a comprehensive Methane Emissions Reduction Program covering all our mines. Our goal is not only to increase the efficiency of methane drainage, but also to maximize the use of captured methane for energy production. These are investment projects of hundreds of millions of zlotys - that's why the EU support we received for the MERP project is of key importance to us - said Adam Rozmus, JSW SA’s Vice-President for Technical and Operational Matters.
In 2024, JSW produced 169,000 MWh of electricity from methane, which helped cover about 15% of the company's energy needs. The company plans to continue investing in smart metering points, pipeline networks and cogeneration systems.
- The MERP project is not just an innovation for one mine - we will roll out its effects throughout the company. And because of the scale and quality of these solutions, they also have the potential to be applied to mining operations around the world - adds Vice-President Rozmus.
The session on post-mining land reclamation featured, among others, the GreenJOBS, RECOVERY and GI-MINE projects, which show how former heavy industry can be the foundation for a new green economy.
- We are not turning away from the past, but transforming it into the future. Europe needs the knowledge that mining regions have and the Research Fund for Coal and Steel is the bridge between industrial heritage and green innovation - stressed Prof. Alicja Krzemień, president of EURACOAL.
Participants also debated the challenges posed by the new EU methane regulation (2024/1787). Artur Badylak, director of the Methane Drainage and Management Department at JSW SA, noted that although methane measurements in mining in Poland have been carried out for years, new EU standards require even greater precision, especially in ventilation shafts. Implementing systems that meet the requirements of the regulation will require cooperation with national scientific institutes and the State Mining Authority.
In closing, representatives of the European Commission announced plans to launch new RFCS competitions - including the so-called Big-Ticket Call for 2025-2026, dedicated to large, groundbreaking R&D projects. Applicants were encouraged to align projects with the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goals.
