Procesy restrukturyzacji górnictwa: Zagłębie Górnośląskie i Zagłębie Ruhry

Abstract: The main aims of the paper are: to indicate the similarities and differences between the Ruhr District and the Upper Silesia occurring during the restructuring of these mining regions and to indicate investments of strategic importance directly related to the processes carried out. For the research, a detailed review of the available literature on the subject (both in Polish, English, and German) was made and the analysis of statis- tical data was used. The paper discusses the similarities of both regions at the start of the process and the significant differences in the time of restructuring. The process imple- mented in the Ruhr District was a well-thought-out, consistently implemented, long-term strategy, therefore its effects are assessed positively, both in the social and economic context. On the other hand, the solutions adopted in the Upper Silesia are characterized by the variability of the concept and the chaotic nature of the solutions implemented. Nevertheless, there are strengths and weaknesses in this process in both regions. Keywords: mining, restructuring, hard coal, Upper Silesia, Ruhr District. JEL Classification: O170, R110, L690