- Mining Success of the Year
Winners of previous editions
2019-2026
In the “Personality of the Year” category:
Marian Leśny, President of the Wieliczka Salt Mine – for his contribution to the protection and public accessibility of the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine, a part of the mining heritage on the UNESCO List.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: ELGÓR+HANSEN S.A. – for a flameproof medium-voltage converter.
Award: Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. – for a fire hazard monitoring system using a fiber-optic temperature measurement system in underground mining plants.
Distinction: Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology – for the development and industrial implementation of an innovative non-invasive diagnostic system for steel-cord conveyor belts.
Distinction: Poltegor-Institute, Institute of Opencast Mining – for a Uniform Geological Database for opencast mining.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: HALDEX S.A. – for activities carried out since the company’s establishment in the field of extractive waste management, which have significantly reduced the environmental impact of mining operations.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute – for an energy-efficient coal slurry technology using an intensive counter-current mixer.
Distinction: Technology Transfer and Promotion Center Sp. z o.o. – for VAMPiRE, an underground installation for ventilation air methane (VAM) utilization and air conditioning.
In the “Personality” category:
Janusz Olszowski, President of the Mining Chamber of Industry and Commerce – for his lifetime achievements in support of the mining industry.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Grenevia S.A., FAMUR Katowice Branch – for the FAMUR UPZP belt tail-end and return station as an integral part of an automated longwall system.
Award: Elektrometal S.A. – for the SDRT-23 Belt Rip Detection System.
Distinction: “Wieliczka” Salt Mine S.A. – for the mining reinforcement of the northern wall of St. Kinga’s Chapel, together with the stability monitoring of the reinforced wall.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute – for synthetic aggregate made from hazardous waste.
Distinction: “Wieliczka” Salt Mine S.A. – for the protection of the land surface and groundwater and surface water resources against the negative effects of the collapse of the Baum chambers.
In the “Personality” category:
Professor Eugeniusz Mokrzycki, PhD, DSc, Eng., Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Mineral and Energy Economy of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków – for his lifetime achievements of special importance to Polish mining in the fields of science and education.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Fabryka Sprzętu i Narzędzi Górniczych Grupa Kapitałowa FASING S.A. – for the Master Profile FASING 60×181/197 double-low flat mining link chain.
Award: PGE GiEK S.A., Turów Lignite Mine Branch – for project GIEKSA_096_PW, entitled “Innovative Early Warning System for Landslide Hazards”.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – for the design and construction of a device for the visual inspection and diameter measurement of vertical pipelines.
Distinction: Industrial Development Agency S.A., Katowice Branch – for the development and implementation of the Dynamic Presentation System for Analytical Studies.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: “Wieliczka” Salt Mine S.A. – for the protection of the land surface and groundwater and surface water resources against the negative effects of the collapse of the Geramb and Fryderyk August chambers.
In the “Personality” category:
Artur Wasil, President of Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. – for his lifetime achievements of special importance to Polish mining in the area of professional practice.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. – for the improvement of climatic conditions through the implementation of binary ice production technology as a factor increasing the capacity of central air conditioning.
Distinction: Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. – for a training and development portal integrated with a CMS (Course Management System) application.
Distinction: TAURON Wydobycie S.A. – for innovative technical solutions applied in the “Janina VI” mine shaft hoist, improving efficiency and work safety.
In the “Ecology” category:
Distinction: TAURON Wydobycie S.A. and the Central Mining Institute – for developing a concept for an experimental reclamation cover for part of a spoil tip, using materials and waste, and for the construction of an experimental site at the Janina Mining Plant in Libiąż, as part of the RECOVERY project.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – for BioCargo, a device for analyzing the physiological condition of activated sludge, the toxicity of wastewater, and the transport of environmental biological samples.
In the “Personality” category:
Artur Dyczko, Vice President of the Management Board for Technical and Operational Matters, President of the JSW Foundation, and Head of the JSW S.A. Crisis Management Team – for his outstanding contribution to maintaining production at JSW S.A. mines during the pandemic, for his excellent leadership of the Crisis Management Team coordinating production and preventive measures, for his strong commitment to the activities of the JSW Foundation, thanks to which the healthcare system in the region received significant financial support, and for organizing blood donation and convalescent plasma donation campaigns that helped doctors in hospitals across Poland save the lives of patients most severely affected by COVID-19.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. – for the technological and organizational optimization of the exploitation of a longwall panel with a 7,100 m run.
Award: Becker-Warkop Sp. z o.o. – for the CA-190 battery-powered tractor with a VOLTER flameproof lithium battery.
Distinction: Fabryka Sprzętu i Narzędzi Górniczych Grupa Kapitałowa FASING S.A. – for the FASING 56×187 high-strength flat link chain.
Distinction: FAMUR S.A. – for an original automated longwall system.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: Central Mining Institute – for “Methods for Assessing the Risk of Flooding in Mining Areas”.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – for the development and use of materials based on UPS for applications in areas degraded by mining activity.
In the “Personality” category:
Professor Monika Hardygóra, PhD, DSc, Eng., Dean of the Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology – for her lifetime achievements of special importance to Polish mining in the areas of education, science, and cooperation between academia and industry.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. – for an innovative roadway driving technology.
Distinction: Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. and COIG S.A. – for the implementation of the “Electronic Offer Form” online platform at PGG S.A.
Distinction: Elektrometal S.A. – for the EMIR-19 Internet of Things transmission system.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: Central Mining Institute – for the EKO-Patrol of the Central Mining Institute.
2011-2018
In the “Personality” category:
Zdzisław Bik, President of the Management Board of the FASING S.A. Capital Group – for creating the global FASING S.A. Capital Group, comprising twelve entities related to the mining industry, operating in six countries.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Central Mine Rescue Station S.A. and 2RHP Sp. z o.o. – for the RESYS Wireless Rescue Communication System.
Award: ELEKTROMETAL S.A. – for the EMLOK-16 employee location and registration system.
Distinction: FAMUR S.A. – for the KGS-245N export roadheader with innovative solutions.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – for a device for the production of flat steel ropes intended for use in mine shafts, and for the launch of rope production.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: Tauron Wydobycie S.A. – for the implementation of the first system in Poland for the neutralization of acidic surface runoff waters in the area of the Janina Mining Plant extractive waste disposal facility.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – for a mine water discharge management system based on a catchment approach, developed under the MANAGER project.
In the “Personality” category:
Professor Wacław Trutwin, PhD, DSc – for his lifetime achievements of special importance to Polish mining in the field of science.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Institute of Mining Technology KOMAG together with Kopex Machinery S.A. – for an innovative mining machine improving the safety and working conditions of mining crews.
Award: Fabryka Sprzętu i Narzędzi Górniczych Grupa Kapitałowa Fasing S.A. – for the Fasing 22×86-61 and 24×86-64 double-low flat mining link chains.
Distinction: Elgór+Hansen S.A. – for the EH-PressCater support resistance monitoring system.
Distinction: Kompania Węglowa S.A., Bielszowice Coal Mine Branch – for the WPAR rescue operation support module.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: Elektrometal S.A. – for the construction of the main fan station at KWK Knurów-Szczygłowice.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – for an optoelectronic system for the remote measurement of high temperatures in an underground coal gasification reactor.
In the “Personality” category:
Herbert Wirth, PhD, DSc, President of the Management Board of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. – for his special and outstanding achievements in managing a global mining enterprise. (Award)
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Fabryka Taśm Transporterowych WOLBROM S.A. – for the energy-efficient 1600 GTPeM ST-2500/10+6V/L conveyor belt.
Distinction: Zakład Hydrauliki Siłowej HYDROMECH S.A. – for the H-WH1 hydraulic mining drill with a built-in safe “HYDROMECH” switch.
Distinction: Industrial Development Agency S.A., Katowice Branch – for the “Polish Coal Market” online portal for the mining industry.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: “Wieliczka” Salt Mine S.A. – for the project “Protection of the land surface and surface and groundwater resources against the negative effects of natural hazards related to the liquidation of the Barycz Borehole Mine, adjacent to the historic ‘Wieliczka’ Salt Mine.”
Distinction: Institute of Construction and Rock Mining Mechanization – for an environmentally friendly method of enriching energy mineral resources and the economic use of the resulting waste products.
In the “Personality” category:
Professor Józef Dubiński, PhD, DSc, Eng., Director General of the Central Mining Institute – for his outstanding contribution to interdisciplinary research on underground mining and for his achievements in the development of highly qualified scientific staff in the fields of Earth sciences and mining sciences. (Award)
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: KOPEX S.A. – for the first automated longwall system in Poland.
Distinction: EMAG Institute of Innovative Technologies – for the development of a microprocessor-based system for the control, supervision, and monitoring of converter drives.
Distinction: Kompania Węglowa S.A. and the Central Mining Institute – for a longwall (departmental) seismological observation system at KWK Bobrek–Centrum.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: Południowy Koncern Węglowy S.A. – for the implementation of innovative technologies involving the continuous production of granulates based on slurries from filter presses and the production of aggregates, aggregate mixtures, and binders based on waste rock and ash from power plants and combined heat and power plants.
Distinction: Kompania Węglowa S.A. – for the hydrotechnical protection system of the Vistula River.
Distinction: Mine Restructuring Company S.A., Czeladź Branch – for modern solutions using the geothermal heat of mine waters for heating buildings, contributing to the improvement of the natural environment.
In the “Personality” category:
Jarosław Zagórowski, President of the Management Board of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. – for his efforts toward building the leading listed capital group in Europe within Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa. (Award)
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Famur Group S.A. – for the FL 12/18 extraction system for low coal seams.
Award: Kopex Group S.A. – for a mechanized longwall system for panels with a height of up to 5.3 m.
Distinction: ELEKTROMETAL S.A. – for the HMC-KMB-600 reactive power compensation unit.
Distinction: EMAG Institute of Innovative Technologies – for the development of the innovative WLSS system supporting underground transport logistics for use in the underground workings of various types of mines.
Distinction: Central Mining Institute – for an instrument for measuring the cutting resistance of coal seams and surrounding rock under underground conditions.
In the “Ecology” category:
Award: Kompania Węglowa S.A. – for the improvement of the water management system in Kompania Węglowa S.A.
In the “Personality” category:
Mirosław Taras, President of the Management Board of Lubelski Węgiel “Bogdanka” S.A. – for his exceptional management competence, courage, and determination in the pioneering privatization of Lubelski Węgiel “Bogdanka” S.A. within the Polish hard coal mining sector, in a way that enabled the growth in company value and the development of the company.
In the “Innovation” category:
Award: Central Mining Institute – for the project “HUGE – Underground Coal Gasification Oriented Toward Hydrogen Production.”
Distinction: Kompania Węglowa S.A. and the Central Mining IT Center S.A. – for the development and implementation of the solution “IT Support for the Procurement Process for Repair Services in Kompania Węglowa S.A.”
Distinction: Institute of Mining Technology KOMAG, ELSTA Sp. z o.o., and the Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Mining Mechanization, Department of Mining Machinery and Technological Systems – for the development and implementation of the solution “Integrated Platform for the Identification and Registration of Machines, Equipment, and Their Components.”
In the “Ecology” category:
Main award: not granted.
Distinction: Katowicki Holding Węglowy S.A. – for the implementation of the task “Strategy for Limiting Negative Environmental Impact and Achieving Full Compliance with European Union Requirements.”
Distinction: Kompania Węglowa S.A. – for the implementation of the task “Protection of Sediments Containing Radium Isotopes and Restoration of the Usable Value of the Area of the Former Bojszowy Mine Water Settling Pond.”