On June 24, 2025, the 38th Annual General Meeting of Representatives of the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GIPH) took place in Katowice. Traditionally an opportunity to summarize and reflect on the past twelve months, the meeting was particularly significant this year – not only due to the dynamic changes in the regulatory and economic environment, but above all due to the growing challenges related to the transformation of the fuel and energy sector.
During the meeting, the Chamber’s financial and activity reports for 2024 were approved, and the Management Board was granted discharge for its activities during the reporting period. Elections to the GIPH Council and the Audit Committee were also high on the agenda.
As a result, the following members were elected to the Chamber’s Council:
- Mr. Mateusz Bik – President of the Management Board, FASING S.A. Mining Equipment and Tools Factory, Capital Group
- Mr. Łukasz Deja – President of the Management Board, Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A.
- Mr. Łukasz Dziędziel – President of the Management Board, OMAG Machinery and Equipment Factory Sp. z o.o.
- Mr. Dawid Gruszczyk – Vice President of the Management Board, FAMUR S.A.
- Mr. Jan Guzera – President of the Management Board, PUMAR Sp. z o.o.
- Mr. Maciej Harat – President of the Management Board, Holding KW Sp. z o.o.
- Mr. Ryszard Janta – President of the Management Board, Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A.
- Mr. Wojciech Kamiński – President of the Management Board, Południowy Koncern Węglowy S.A.
- Mr. Dariusz Kowalczyk – Branch Director, PGE GiEK S.A. Bełchatów KWB Branch
- Mr. Marian Leśny – President of the Management Board, Wieliczka Salt Mine S.A.
- Mr. Piotr Pięta – President of the Management Board, FTT Wolbrom S.A.
- Mr. Dariusz Prostański – Director, KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology
- Mr. Mirosław Skibski – Director of the Katowice Branch, Industrial Development Agency S.A.
- Mr. Zbigniew Stopa – President of the Management Board, Lubelski Węgiel “Bogdanka” S.A.
- Mr. Tomasz Ślęzak – President of the Management Board, Węglokoks S.A.
- Mr. Aleksander Ucka – President of the Management Board, Research and Supervision Center Sp. z o.o.
- Ms. Magdalena Wdowin – Director, Mineral Resources and Energy Economy Research Institute – Polish Academy of Sciences
- Mr. Andrzej Wojtyła – President of the Management Board, ELEKTROMETAL S.A. Mr. Jarosław Zagórowski – Director, Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute
The Voice of the Industry in Times of Change
The assembled representatives of member companies and institutions unanimously emphasized that over the past year, the Chamber has conducted extensive activities to protect the interests of its members. During this time of accelerating decarbonization, ongoing changes in the energy mix, and legislative instability, the role of the Chamber as the voice of the sector has become even more pronounced.
Key activities included participation in the work of the Just Transition Council, partnerships in the projects: the Regional Observatory of the Transformation Process 2.0 and the CHANCE for (Self-)Employment – Encore, as well as involvement in the implementation of a project under the National Recovery Plan, which resulted in the creation of the Industry Skills Center for Ore Mining 4.0. As a partner, the Chamber is responsible for, among other things, introducing the industry qualification into the Integrated Qualifications System and conducting educational and certification activities in this area.
Lobbying, International Cooperation, and Skills Support
GIPH’s activities were not limited to the national level. Over the past 12 months, the Chamber concluded two cooperation agreements with Chinese partners, supported the formation of the Polish Production and Engineering Consortium, which aims to expand Silesian companies into the Indian market, and joined the work of the Coal Industry Advisory Board at the International Energy Agency. Furthermore, as in previous years, GIPH also participated in the activities of the European Coal and Lignite Association EURACOAL.
In the area of skills and education, the Chamber organized, among others, the 16th edition of the Public Procurement School and the conference “Safe and Innovative Metal Ore Mining Industry – Raw Materials 4.0,” aimed at preparing staff and companies for the upcoming changes in the industry’s operating model.
Miners’ Voice in Public Debate
One of the Chamber’s most high-profile activities in recent weeks was its submission to the National Security Council regarding the threats posed by the instability of renewable energy sources, in the context of the blackout that affected parts of Western Europe in April. In the submitted document, GIPH called for a nationwide debate on the future of the Polish energy sector, emphasizing the need to develop a realistic pace and shape of the transformation.
Equally important was its expert and advisory activities. Last year, GIPH issued opinions on a number of legislative proposals – both national and EU – concerning, among other things, methane emission reduction, solid fuel quality standards, the IED 2.0 directive, and ESG reporting principles.
A Demanding, but Necessary Year
“It was a year of tremendous work and the Chamber’s intensive presence in public debate, international projects, and activities supporting the transformation,” said Janusz Olszowski, President of GIPH, after the conclusion of the General Assembly. – But it was also a year that demonstrated that the mining community does not intend to be merely a passive participant in change. We have the knowledge, experience, and potential – and we want to actively co-shape the future of the fuel and energy sector in Poland.
With this message, the Chamber members concluded the official portion of the 38th Annual General Meeting of Representatives of GIPH Members. Now it’s time for the next stage – in which, all indications are, the role of industry organizations, including the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce, will be crucial in maintaining a balance between the inevitable transformation of the industry and the country’s energy security.
