Resource information
Poland has by far the highest hard coal
production of any country in the European Union and hard
coal will continue to play a crucial role regarding energy
security for Poland. Most importantly, hard coal can reduce
both the price and supply risks for Poland associated with
oil and gas imports. Poland has a number of low cost mines
with good quality coal where production can be expanded so
that it is feasible for coal to meet domestic demand without
requiring operating support from the state budget and if the
remaining restructuring of the coal mining sector is
completed successfully, the sector can again become an
important driver for economic development of Silesia rather
than a liability. While heavy industries such as hard coal
and steel will remain core industries for Silesia, they are
unlikely to be sources of increased employment in future.
The growth sectors for Silesia are to be found in higher
technology (including coal-based technologies) and service
industries. The next few years, while EU funds are
available, offer Silesia a window of opportunity to develop
these new sectors. It is, therefore, important that the
coal industry release its surplus employees and land so that
Silesia can diversify into new industries and take full
advantage of EU funds while at the same time having a
healthy and profitable coal industry.
