Technological progress in mechanization of lignite surface mining as a condition to maintain strategic role of this fuel in Polish power industry

In Poland lignite which constitutes some 40 percent of fuel for production of electric energy achived this stratégie position mainly owing to the integral mechanization of mining operations. Introduction of technological progress in lignite mining systems is dated to the 60ties when one of world’s first integrally mechanized Turów Lignite Mine was constructed and then, in the 80ties when one of worlds largest Belchatów Surface Mine with production capacity of 38.5 million tons per year was constructed. The use of comprehensive mechanization of mining operations coused that lignite in Poland makes it possible to produce electric energy cheaper by approx. 35% as compared to the production of electric energy based on the hard coal. A condition to maintain current role of lignite in Polish power industry is further implementation of technological progress in newly designed lignite open pits, such as Szczercôw and Legnica.