The K-2 longwall was put into operation on 23 June 2025 in seam 401/1 (area "K-3;C"). Its parameters indicate high mining potential - it has a length of 244 meters, a strike of more than a kilometer (1,037 meters) and an average thickness of 1.55 meters. The longwall's resources are estimated at 500,000 tons of coking coal.
The longwall uses a modern JOY 4LS20 shearer, which runs on a PSJZR - 850 conveyor, and protection is provided by 157 sections of GLINIK - JZR powered supports in various options. The planned average output is as much as 2,700 tons per day with a progress of 5.8 meters per day.
The mine plans to start mining the W-2 longwall in seam 363 as early as the second half of July. Its strike is more than 800 meters, and its length varies from 217 to 145 meters. The longwall also stands out with its variable thickness - from 1.6 to 2.35 meters. The recoverable reserves are 340,500 tons of coking coal.
The W-2 longwall will be equipped with a state-of-the-art JOY 7LS22 shearer and a new longwall system manufactured by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe, including JZR - 11/33 POz WI powered support sections, PSJZR - 850 face conveyor and PPJZR - 850 bottom conveyor. The planned average output is 2,300 tons per day.
As Adam Rozmus, JSW SA's Vice-President of the Management Board for Technical and Operational Matters and acting Vice-President of the Management Board for Development, points out, the launch of the new longwalls is part of the rebuilding of the mining fronts after the tragic disaster in April 2022.
- The Pniówek mine has been consistently rebuilding its mining fronts and is gradually returning to mining longwalls with longer strikes. What's more, in new longwalls we are implementing solutions as part of the Efficient Mine initiative, which is part of the Strategic Transformation Plan. The aim of these measures is to increase labor productivity and improve mining results - says Adam Rozmus.
The launch of the K-2 and W-2 longwalls is not only a technological success, but also an important step toward securing the supply of coking coal, a raw material crucial to steel production. The Pniówek mine is strengthening its position as an important supplier of high-quality coal for heavy industry.
There are currently five longwalls in operation at the Pniówek mine.
