This year's celebrations began with a prayer and the laying of flowers in front of the statue of Saint Barbara at the Pniówek mine, followed by a tribute to the tragically deceased miners in front of the obelisk located at the mine gate. Then the delegations, including JSW management board members, mine authorities and invited guests, as well as the orchestra and standard bearers marched to the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Pawłowice.
In addition to the Minister of Industry, the ceremony was attended by MPs, local and regional government representatives, uniformed services, clergy, trade union organizations, mine authorities, the management of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa and many invited guests. The St. Barbara's Day celebration was an opportunity to celebrate five decades of the Pniówek mine. There were also roundups of the passing year and thanks to the miners.
“All year round, underground, you face hardships and dangers that can be understood only those who give part of themselves to this difficult work every day. This is also a day to say "thank you" to you. Thank you to each of you individually for remaining faithful to your profession and to the entire mining family," said Ryszard Janta, CEO of JSW SA, adding: “It is thanks to you that our mines function and that, despite adversities, our plants produce and support the Polish economy. Thanks to you this difficult profession has its weight, and the word "miner" is still associated with courage, sacrifice and perseverance.
At all JSW mines, more than 12 million tons of coal have been mined since the beginning of the year and more than 75 kilometers of workings have been excavated.
