Feasibility study of the mining sector program

The Mining Chamber of Commerce and Industry won the competition to develop a feasibility study for a sectoral program for the hard coal mining sector, including the production of mining machinery, equipment and services.

EU context

In the EU Financial Perspective 2014–2020, special emphasis was placed on cooperation between science and business within the Smart Growth Operational Programme. Its first priority axis supported research and development activities of enterprises and research-industrial consortia. Sectoral programs, created to address the needs of specific industries, played a key role.

Thanks to these programs, entrepreneurs could not only implement R&D results but also finance accompanying activities such as internationalization, development of research infrastructure, intellectual property protection, design, and human resources development.

The role of GIPH

In early 2014, the National Centre for Research and Development accepted GIPH’s offer to prepare a study for the hard coal mining sector.

“I am pleased that the new EU financial perspective has finally recognized the sector’s economic self-government organizations and allowed them to undertake activities that are very significant for the interests of their members,” commented GIPH President Janusz Olszowski.

The study was carried out by the Central Mining Institute, with the support of scientists from leading institutes and universities.

Scope of study:

The document contained 39 research topics, grouped into three blocks:

Techniques, technologies and materials

for the exploration, development and exploitation of coal deposits.

Development of the product offer

modern coal processing processes, waste management, innovative processing methods, high-efficiency combustion technologies and methane utilization.

Rationalization of resources and processes

aimed at improving the competitiveness of hard coal.

Assessment and controversy

On December 16, 2014, the study was accepted by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) and referred for further analysis. Of the 21 applications, only three were deemed suitable for forming the basis for sectoral programs. The mining project was included in the group requiring modification. A revised version was submitted to the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) on June 26, 2015.

However, on October 22, 2015, the Chamber received notification of a negative decision – according to the evaluation team, the document “does not sufficiently justify the need to create a sectoral program in the presented area and cannot become the basis for establishing a sectoral program.” This occurred despite considering all the comments from the evaluation team, the most important of which were the representatives who concluded that the mining industry did not merit the creation of such a program “also due to the current financial situation of the main industry entities.”

The GIPH Board deemed this decision unfair and unsubstantiated, emphasizing that it was related to the nationwide anti-mining campaign and the current financial situation of the industry, rather than the actual value of the study.