Evaluation of exploitation possibilities of the Bełchatów – Kamieńsk field lignite deposit

Abstract

In view of the shrinking reserves of the Bełchatów lignite deposit in the currently exploited Bełchatów and Szczerców fields, the prolongation of the Bełchatów power plant activity, producing about 20% of Polish electricity, requires access to new deposits. The article presents a preliminary analysis of mining opportunities for the Bełchatów – Kamieńsk field deposit, located in close vicinity of the power plant. The assessment of geological parameters of the deposit and the conditions of possible mining exploitation, as well as external (natural and anthropogenic) conditions, is presented. Analyses have shown that despite the favourable quality parameters of coal in the Kamieńsk field, the deposit has no value as a reserve base for the Bełchatów power plant due to its geological conditions and the depth to the deposit. In addition, surface development facilities prevent profitable exploitation of this deposit. In conclusion, it was pointed out that the location of the external dump in the immediate vicinity of the Bełchatów – Kamieńsk field deposit is not the main reason why the profitable exploitation of this deposit is not possible.