Green Transformation of Mining towards Energy Self-Sufficiency in a Circular Economy—A Case Study

Małgorzata Magdziarczyk, Andrzej Chmiela, Weijian Su and Adam Smolinski ()
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Małgorzata Magdziarczyk: Faculty of Economics and Management, Opole University of Technology, Luboszycka 7, 45-036 Opole, Poland
Andrzej Chmiela: Mines Restructuring Company (Spółka Restrukturyzacji Kopalń S.A.), Strzelcow Bytomskich 207, 41-914 Bytom, Poland
Weijian Su: Economic Research Center, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, 40 Shungeng Road, Jinan 250014, China
Adam Smolinski: Central Mining Institute, Plac Gwarkow 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: This article presents the concept of green transformation of the coal mining sector. Pump stations that belong to Spółka Restrukturyzacji Kopalń S.A. (SRK S.A., Bytom, Poland) pump out approximately 100 million m 3 of mine water annually. These pump stations protect neighboring mines and lower-lying areas from flooding and protect subsurface aquifers from contamination. The largest cost component of maintaining a pumping station is the expenditure for purchasing electricity. Investment towards renewable energy sources will reduce the environmental footprint of pumping station operation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The concept of liquidation of an exemplary mining site in the context of a circular economy by proposing the development/revitalization of a coal mine site is presented. This concept involves the construction of a complex consisting of photovoltaic farms combined with efficient energy storage in the form of green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis. For this purpose, the potential of liquidated mining sites will be utilized, including the use of pumped mine wastewater. This article is conceptual. In order to reach the stated objective, a body of literature and legal regulations was analyzed, and an empirical study was conducted. Various scenarios for the operation of mine pumping stations have been proposed. The options presented provide full or nearly full energy self-sufficiency of the proposed pumping station operation concept. The effect of applying any option for upgrading the pumping station could result in the creation of jobs that are alternatives to mining jobs and a guarantee of efficient asset management.

Keywords: renewable energy sources; energy storage; post-mining land revitalization; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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