On Monday, February 2nd, the Silesian Philharmonic in Katowice hosted one of the most anticipated industry events of the year – the Mining New Year’s Concert, which inaugurated the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Mining Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was an evening filled with emotion, reflection on the past years, and discussions about the future. The concert provided not only an opportunity to celebrate this special anniversary but also to emphasize the importance of the Mining Chamber as a key institution protecting the interests of the Polish fuel and energy sector.

35 Years of History of the Mining Chamber

The event began with the screening of a film that recounted the 35-year history of the Mining Chamber of Commerce and Industry, recalling the difficult yet fruitful years of work in a changing environment. The film served as a symbolic reminder that, despite industry turmoil, the Chamber has always been a strong voice and an effective partner in negotiations and in fighting for the interests of the mining sector.

The President of the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Janusz Olszowski, in his speech emphasized that the 35th anniversary of the Chamber is not only a time for summing up, but also for development and looking to the future.

– “35 years is a long time, but also a long period of hard work, thousands of conversations, negotiations, and disputes, often very heated. But it also represents long-standing partnerships and cooperation between Chamber members, parliament, state and local government institutions, the public, and representatives of science, such as universities and research institutes,” said the Chamber’s President. – said the President of the Chamber.

– I’m proud of what we’ve achieved over the years. It wasn’t easy, but with hindsight, we can confidently say it was worth it. And although the current situation in our industry is challenging, I believe that with our consistent, competent daily work and full commitment, we can ensure that the coming years will bring many more positive twists and turns. – added Janusz Olszowski. – The future ahead is undoubtedly full of challenges, which it will undoubtedly face with determination. Therefore, the Chamber’s mission in the coming years will be broad, from integrating business, science, and local governments around future challenges to the stability and security of Poland’s energy system.

Distinguished Guests – congratulations and expressions of appreciation

As every year, the Miners’ New Year’s Concert brought together important figures from the economic, cultural, scientific, and political spheres – representatives of the government, parliament, and local governments, scientists, entrepreneurs, leaders of mining-related associations and institutions, and a wide range of guests from Poland and abroad.

As always, distinguished guests, including Professor Krzysztof Galos, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment and Chief National Geologist, Marek Wójcik, Voivode of Silesia, Leszek Pietraszek, Deputy Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship, Maciej Biskupski, Vice-Chairman of the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, and Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice, extended their New Year’s greetings to the gathered guests, summarized the past year, and shared their thoughts on the future of mining and the energy transition.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, congratulations on the 35th anniversary of the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Although we often talk about the energy transition today, the film we just watched reminded us that 35 years ago, the Chamber was established during a time of profound economic and social transformation. Since then, you have consistently, for decades, been able to effectively bring together mining companies, adapting them to changing realities and challenges. This demonstrates that this time has been well spent.

Today, we stand on the threshold of another transformation. I am convinced that you have the knowledge, competence, experience, and production potential to continue to develop your business, leverage your capabilities in various areas, and strengthen the region’s position. I believe that many anniversaries lie ahead, and that your community will continue to provide an indispensable technical, scientific, and production base for the country and Silesia. – said Marek Wójcik – Silesian Voivode.

The speech by the Deputy Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship, Leszek Pietraszek, was also full of reflections on the role of the Chamber: “Throughout all these years, the mining community has had a strong, substantive voice, represented by the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The Chamber has always been a firm but constructive partner in the conversation – effectively fighting for the interests of the industry and mining-related companies.”

Maciej Biskupski, Vice-Chairman of the Management Board of GZM, and Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice, also emphasized the importance of the Chamber for the region, noting that mining remains the foundation not only of the economy but also of the identity of Silesia, based on industrial experience but open to new directions of development.

Awards ceremony – recognition of achievements in the industry

A significant part of the evening was the ceremony of awarding presidential and departmental decorations, as well as mining degrees to people who, through their work, commitment and passion, had an impact on the mining industry in Poland.

1. At the request of the Silesian Voivode Marek Wójcik, the President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki awarded the employees of the Komag Institute of Technology:
   • Gold Cross of Merit: Ms. Małgorzata Malec
   • Silver Cross of Merit: Mr. Daniel Kowol and Mr. Łukasz Orzech;
   • Bronze Cross of Merit: Mr. Mariusz Bal, Mr. Krzysztof Kaczmarczyk, and Mr. Dariusz Michalak
   • Bronze Medal for Long Service: Mr. Krzysztof Kwaśny, Ms. Magdalena Rozmus, and Mr. Michał Siegmund.
     
2. At the request of the Mining Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minister of Energy, Miłosz Motyka, awarded the honorary badge of “Meritorious for Mining in the Republic of Poland”:
   • Mr. Ryszard Malinowski – owner of the “Malinex” Production, Trade and Service Company,
   • Mr. Sławomir Obidziński – Vice President of the Management Board of the Mining Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
   • Mr. Piotr Pięta – President of the Management Board of the Wolbrom S.A. Conveyor Belt Factory
     
3. At the request of ITG KOMAG, the Minister of Energy, Miłosz Motyka, awarded the honorary badge of “Meritorious for Mining in the Republic of Poland”:
   • Mrs. Iwona Olszewska.
4. At the request of Elektrometal S.A., the Minister of Industry, Marzena Czarnecka, granted:
   • the title of Mining Director, Third Degree – Mr. Mariusz Madej from MWM Elektro Sp. z o.o.,
   • the title of Mining Director, Third Degree – Mr. Piotr Ryndak from MWM Elektro Sp. z o.o.;
     
5. At the request of the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Minister of Energy, Miłosz Motyka, granted:
   • the title of Mining Director, 3rd Degree – Mr. Marcin Sikora, Chief Marketing Specialist – Director of the Mining Products Office at Elektrometal S.A.,
   • stopień Dyrektora Górniczego I Stopnia – Panu Janowi Kalecie, Dyrektorowi Biura Automatyki i Wizualizacji w Elektrometal S.A.,
     
6. At the request of the KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology, the Minister of Energy, Miłosz Motyka, awarded:
   • At the request of the KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology, the Minister of Energy, Miłosz Motyka, awarded:
7. At the request of the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Minister of Energy, Miłosz Motyka, granted:
   • the degree of General Mining Director, 3rd Degree – Mr. Dr. DSc, Eng. Przemysław Skotniczny, professor of the Strata Mechanics Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
     
8. At the request of the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the President of the State Mining Authority, Piotr Litwa, awarded the honorary badge “Meritorious for safety in mining”:
   • Mr. Henryk Jurczyk – President of the Management Board, CEO of Elgór+Hansen S.A.
     

Additionally, the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce awarded 35th Anniversary Medals for long-standing collaboration, some even spanning decades. Among those honored were:

• Mr. Władysław Banyś – Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Fabryka Taśm Conveyorowych Wolbrom S.A.
• Mr. Zdzisław Bik – President of the Management Board of Karbon2 Sp. z o.o.
• Mr. Jerzy Braszczok – Long-time President of the Management Board of Elgór+Hanses S.A.
• Mr. Prof. Józef Dubiński – Long-time Director of the Central Mining Institute
• Mr. Jan Guzera – President of the Management Board of PUMAR Sp. z o.o.
• Mr. Piotr Jamrozik – President of the Management Board of Demetrix New Sp. z o.o.
• Mr. Mariusz Korzeniowski – Vice President of the Management Board for Technical and Commercial Affairs at PUMAR Sp. z o.o., long-time member of the GIPH Audit Committee
  

• Mr. Marian Kostempski – long-time President of KOPEX S.A.
• Mr. Kazimierz Kozioł – President of the Board of the Association of Mining Engineers and Technicians in Bełchatów
• Mr. Marcin Krupa – Mayor of Katowice
• Mr. Piotr Kryszak – long-time Vice President of the Board of the Mining Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Mr. Jacek Kudela – President of the Board of MOJ S.A.
• Ms. Katarzyna Lipińska – Director of Legal and Projects at GIPH
• Ms. Bożena Lisiecka-Białas – long-time Chief Accountant at GIPH
  

• Mr. Henryk Paszcza – long-time Director of the Industrial Development Agency Branch in Katowice
• Mr. Wiktor Pawlik – President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gliwice
• Mr. Piotr Pięta – President of the Management Board of Fabryka Taśm Conveyorowych WOLBROM S.A.
• Mr. Prof. Dr. hab. Stanisław Prusek – Vice President of the Management Board, Director for Development of Mining Equipment and Tools Factories at the FASING S.A. Capital Group, long-time member of the GIPH Council
• Mr. Brian Ricketts – Secretary General of the European Hard Coal and Lignite Association EURACOAL
• Mr. Mariusz Saratowicz – President of the Coal Basin Branch of the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers
• Mr. Andrzej Wojtyła – President of the Management Board of Elektrometal S.A., long-time member of the GIPH Council
  

Mining Success of the Year 2025

The concert was also traditionally an excellent opportunity to present awards in the “Mining Success of the Year” competition, the AIM of which is to promote and popularize projects for the ECOLOGY and INNOVATION of the Polish mining industry, as well as PERSONALITIES whose actions were of particular importance for its well-being.

In the “Personality” category, the award was unanimously granted to:

• for Prof. Dr. hab. Eng. Piotr Czaja for his overall activities for the benefit of Polish and global mining.

In the “Innovation” category, two equal prizes were awarded to:

• Elektrometal S.A. for the EPX Pressure Exchange Station; and

• Compensus Sp. z o.o. for designing and implementing a drilling rig for sump drilling (for LW Bogdanka). The first and unique project completed in collaboration with LW Bogdanka – the CS MW900 drilling rig.

as well as two distinctions for:

• Central Mining Institute for a device for measuring the load variation of a plow chain.

• Południowy Koncern Węglowy S.A. for implementing a people transport system using self-propelled diesel-powered transport vehicles at the Janina Mining Plant in Libiąż.

In the “Ecology” category:

• The main prize was not awarded;

• The distinction was awarded to the Wieliczka Salt Mine S.A. for using mine raw materials to create sculptures – using Wieliczka rock salt as an example.

Musical ending

The Miners’ New Year’s Concert concluded beautifully with an artistic performance by Weronika Skalska, accompanied by her band and the Silesian Chamber Orchestra. Legendary songs from the Bond series were performed on stage in new, incredibly impressive arrangements.

The 2026 Miners’ New Year’s Concert not only honored GIPH’s 35-year history but also highlighted the importance of seeking sustainable solutions at the intersection of tradition and modernity. This annual event highlights the importance of dialogue and cooperation in striving for a better future for the Polish mining industry and the entire economy.