Poland completes Grzegorz shaft at Sobieski coal mine

On 13 July 2024, the Sobieski Coal Mine in Jaworzno, owned by the South Coal Corporation (PKW), held a ceremony marking the completion of the Grzegorz shaft. The 590‑metre‑deep, 7.5‑metre‑diameter shaft cost about 690 million zł and was built with advanced techniques, including rock‑mass freezing to 475 m.

The shaft will serve ventilation, personnel and material transport, and is intended to secure stable coal supplies for Poland’s power sector. It enables efficient exploitation of the Dąb deposit, which holds roughly 92 million tonnes of operable reserves and about 1.1 billion tonnes in total. Production from the deposit is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, supporting the mine’s long‑term operation under a licence lasting until 2063. PKW officials highlighted the project’s importance for worker safety, mine stability and the country’s energy security, as well as its role in the sector’s transformation and cost reduction.

The event was attended by senior officials, including Deputy Minister of State Assets Grzegorz Wrona and regional leaders, underscoring the strategic significance of the investment for the Polish coal industry.