The Future of Coal Mining in Upper Silesia, Poland: A Photo Essay
Europe’s last coal – a photo essay
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Rafal Dzuman, a team leader at the Murcki-Staszic coalmine in Katowice, Poland, represents a fading tradition in Europe's last coal-mining region. As Poland faces a mandated transition away from coal by 2049, the local economy grapples with identity and job security challenges amidst global energy shifts.
- 01Upper Silesia is the last coal-mining region in the European Union, extracting about 23,000 tonnes of coal daily.
- 02Poland aims to transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2049, with potential acceleration to 2035.
- 03The coal industry employs over 200,000 workers, raising concerns about job security during the transition.
- 04Local schools continue to train young miners, but interest in mining careers is dwindling.
- 05Geopolitical uncertainties may influence the pace of Poland's energy transition.
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Rafal Dzuman, the 49-year-old team leader of the G-2 mining crew, has spent over 20 years working at the Murcki-Staszic coalmine in Katowice, Poland. This mine, which extracts approximately 23,000 tonnes of coal daily, is situated in Upper Silesia, the last coal-mining district in the European Union. As Poland grapples with a mandated transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2049, the local coal industry faces significant challenges. While the region still relies on coal for half of its electricity, the European Union's decarbonisation goals and declining coal prices from abroad threaten the viability of existing mines. Currently, over 200,000 workers are employed in the coal sector, raising concerns about job security as the transition unfolds. Local schools continue to train future miners, yet interest in mining careers is waning, with only 20 young people currently pursuing this path. The region's identity is deeply intertwined with coal mining, making the transition both an economic and cultural challenge. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, questions arise about the adequacy of funds from the European just transition fund to support this transformation.
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The transition away from coal could lead to significant job losses in Upper Silesia, affecting the livelihoods of many families dependent on mining.
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