Bezpieczeństwo Pracy i Ochrona Środowiska w Górnictwie Number 01/2024

A new method of restoring post-mining areas into forestry has been introduced at the “Sępólno Wielkie” mine. It was found from the study that these soils have better parameters than soils restored by the earlier method. The most important thing is the rapid pace of restoration that allows the reestablishment of forest soil conditions. Studies of the effectiveness of forest soil restoration and its impact on tree growth are currently being conducted. A study of the parameters of agricultural soils before and after restoration was conducted at the “Ostrowite” mine. Soils after restoration were found to have better chemical properties. The most positive properties of soils in restored areas include high pH level, the presence of carbonates in soil profiles and better sorption features than in natural soils.

State supervision of the safety of technical equipment designed for transport of people or cargo over a limited range is based on the Act on Technical Supervision. However, this does not apply to mining shaft lifts, for which there are separate regulations that have their basis in the Geological and Mining Law. They are based on the assumption that supervision and control of shaft lifts is exercised by the mining supervisory authorities, and the entrepreneur who operates them entrusts certain activities to be performed by independent appraisers, who, as part of their activities, issue opinions and expert reports on safety and reliability issues. The activities of appraisers for the operation of mining plants require the fulfillment of the requirements set forth in the act, and formal confirmation of these requirements is provided by a decision of the President of the State Mining Authority to grant authorizations. The appraisers are independent experts and play an important advisory role and support entrepreneurs in solving difficult technical issues.

The article discusses innovative solutions and ways to overcome the difficulties encountered in excavating the deepest shaft in Europe (1348.0 m), namely: the use of low-viscosity acrylic sealing resins to stop the rapid outflow of water at 7.5 MPa and the outflow of pressurized water amounting to hydrogen sulfide, in addition to the use of a prone foam to take the initial load of the casing so that salt creep would not damage the concrete tee behind the tubing during the initial setting phase. The excavation of the shaft uses the largest shaft tower ever constructed for shaft excavation, with a weight of 1100 Mg and a height of 45.5 m. Another innovative thing is the “plug” made at the bottom of the shaft with a sump that allows dewatering of the rock mass with drainage of water to the drainage system of the entire mine.