Conference on the future of post-mining areas

18 June 2025

On 17 June, the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice hosted the conference 'The future of post-mining areas', which attracted nearly 200 participants. The State Mining Authority organised the event in cooperation with the Polish Geological Institute National - Research Institute and the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology.

The event was addressed to representatives of public administration, including local government units, scientific institutions and all those interested in issues related to the development and revitalisation of post-mining areas.

The main objective of the meeting was to popularise knowledge on the resources collected in the Archive of Mine Survey and Geological Documentation (SMA), which includes documentation of decommissioned mining plants, mainly underground mines. During the speeches, it was emphasised that they are an essential source of information used in the planning and re-development of post-mining areas, enabling effective identification of hazards related to the decommissioning of mining plants, their inclusion in planning documents, as well as the proper directions of reclamation and revitalisation. In addition, the principles of access and use of archival materials were discussed. The conference session was followed by a regional meeting of the Polish Geological Institute National - Research Institute representatives and local geological administration bodies.

The conference was accompanied by an exhibition of historical mining documents organised by the State Mining Office. Visitors could see, among other things, old maps of pits, plans of mines and several other unique documents providing valuable testimony to the history of Polish mining.