Mining industry leaders discuss resource security and financing at Katowice forum

During the Future Mining Forum & Expo in Katowice, industry leaders and experts discussed the evolving landscape of the mining sector, focusing on resource security, geopolitics, and financing challenges.

Representatives from Polska Grupa Górnicza and Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa participated in debates regarding the strategic importance of coal and the need for increased extraction alongside reduced subsidies. Former European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek noted that past mining reforms were driven by the depletion of coal in Upper Silesia and the high costs of deep-level mining.

Experts highlighted that securing capital for new mining projects is becoming increasingly difficult due to rising risks. At a session on project financing, a director from PKO Bank Polski stated that traditional banks might decline financing for companies like Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa due to cash flow concerns and the need for restructuring. Participants suggested that for strategic resources, the state may need to share risks with the market, and companies must look toward development institutions or international commercial entities that see potential in European reindustrialization.