2023
General information and occurrence
Backfilling sands are used for making a hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill depleted mining excavations. Documented backfilling sands deposits have been documented in the areas of an intensive underground mining, especially those of the hard coal and copper ores in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) area and in the Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is the location at the distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits is located around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas can be differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area (where the majority of the raw material volumes is exploited) extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by the occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and partially eolian origin, attaining up to 70 m in a thickness (Pustynia Błędowska Desert). The second area with the largest resources covers the proglacial stream valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland. The average thicknesses of the deposits located within this area are within the range of 15 – 20 m. The northern area covers the Mała Panew River valley where fluvioglacial sand deposits occur, characterized by the significant thicknesses (up to 40 m). The deposits are explored well enough but have not been exploited so far. Moreover, sandy-gravel sediments up to 30 m in thickness occur in the copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin. The large number of documented backfilling sands deposits in Poland together with the declining demand are 2 main factors for not delineating the prognostic areas for this raw material at the moment*.
The clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
Resources and output
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
Table 1. Backfilling sand – million m3The anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands decreased by 2.74 million m3 in comparison with the previous year and amounted to 2,500.86 million m3 in 2023 (or about 4,251.46 million tonnes as recalculated using a weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). The drop was mainly a result of exploitation (-2.14 million m3) and losses, but also – to a small extent (-0.41 million m3) – of approval of a new documentation (supplement) with recalculated resources for the Chróstnik deposit. There was a new sand and gravel deposit – Raszówka – separated from the Chróstnik deposit.
The economic resources decreased by 14.49 million m3 (29%) in comparison with 2022, mainly due to expire of an exploitation concession for the Kuźnica Warężyńska deposit (-11.53 million tonnes; Śląskie Voivodeship), as a result of elaboration of a supplement to a deposit development plan for the Szczakowa pole I deposit (-1.03 million tonnes; Małopolskie Voivodeship) and ongoing exploitation.
The output of backfilling sands from 5 exploited deposits in 2023 decreased by 34.85 thousand m3 in comparison with the previous year and totaled 2,139.35 thousand m3 (3,636.90 thousand tonnes). The output levels increased from 3 deposits: Obora, Kotlarnia P. Północne and Bór Zachód (by 104.43 thousand tonnes in total). The exploitation from the Szczakowa pole I deposit restarted (166.66 thousand tonnes). The output dropped significantly (by 305.94 thousand tonnes) only from the Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposit. The exploitation from the Bór Wschód deposit is still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2023.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Galos K., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 – ‘Piaski kwarcowe do produkcji betonów komórkowych (quartz sand for cellular concrete manufacture), piaski kwarcowe do produkcji wyrobów wapienno-piaskowych (quartz sand for lime-sand products manufacture), piaski podsadzkowe (filling sand)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 309-313. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2022
General information and occurrence
Backfilling sands are used for making a hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill depleted mining excavations. Documented backfilling sands deposits have been documented in the areas of an intensive underground mining, especially those of the hard coal and copper ores in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) area and in the Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is the location at the distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits is located around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas can be differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area (where the majority of the raw material volumes is exploited) extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by the occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and partially eolian origin, attaining up to 70 m in a thickness (Pustynia Błędowska Desert). The second area with the largest resources covers the proglacial stream valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland. The average thicknesses of the deposits located within this area are within the range of 15 – 20 m. The northern area covers the Mała Panew River valley where fluvioglacial sand deposits occur, characterized by the significant thicknesses (up to 40 m). The deposits are explored well enough but have not been exploited so far. Moreover, sandy-gravel sediments up to 30 m in thickness occur in the copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin. The large number of documented backfilling sands deposits in Poland together with the declining demand are 2 main factors for not delineating the prognostic areas for this raw material at the moment*.
The clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
Resources and output
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
The anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands decreased by 7.14 million m3 in comparison with the previous year and amounted to 2,503.60 million m3 in 2022 (or about 4,256.12 million tonnes as recalculated using a weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). The drop was a result of the exploitation (−2,174.20 thousand m3) and approval of a new documentation with recalculated resources (supplement No 3) for the Bór Wschód deposit (−42.72 thousand m3) and the Bór-Zachód deposit (−3,836.39 thousand m3; Śląskie Voivodeship).
The economic resources increased by 7.78 million m3 in comparison with 2021 in spite of the ongoing exploitation, as a result of a new deposit development plan elaboration for the Obora deposit (Dolnośląskie Voivodeship) and issuing of a new exploitation concession for the Bór Wschód deposit and elaboration of a deposit development plan for this deposit.
The output of backfilling sands from 4 exploited deposits in 2022 decreased by 551.05 thousand m3 in comparison with the previous year and totaled 2,174.20 thousand m3 (3,696.14 thousand tonnes). The exploitation dropped from 3 deposits, the Hutki II deposit which was exploited in 2021 was crossed out from ‘The balance…’ and the Bór-Wschód deposit was not exploited. The exploitation from the Kuźnica Warężyńska and the Szczakowa pole I deposits is still on hold, however, the Kuźnica Warężyńska deposit is classified as abandoned because the output has not been carried out for more than 10 years.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2022.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Galos K., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 – ‘Piaski kwarcowe do produkcji betonów komórkowych (quartz sand for cellular concrete manufacture), piaski kwarcowe do produkcji wyrobów wapienno-piaskowych (quartz sand for lime-sand products manufacture), piaski podsadzkowe (filling sand)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 309-313. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2021
General information and occurrence
Backfilling sands are used for making a hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill depleted mining excavations. Documented backfilling sands deposits occur in the areas of an intensive underground mining, especially those of the hard coal and copper ores in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin area and in the Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is the location at the distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits is located around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas can be differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area (where the majority of the raw material volumes is exploited) extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by the occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and partially eolian origin, attaining up to 70 m in a thickness (Pustynia Błędowska Desert). The second area with the largest resources covers the proglacial stream valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland. The average thicknesses of the deposits located within this area are within the range of 15 – 20 m. The northern area covers the Mała Panew River valley where fluvioglacial sand deposits occur, characterized by the significant thicknesses (up to 40 m). The deposits are explored well enough but have not been exploited so far. Moreover, sandy-gravel sediments up to 30 m in thickness occur in the copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin. The large number of documented backfilling sands deposits in Poland together with the declining demand are 2 main factors for not delineating the prognostic areas for this raw material at the moment*.
The clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
Resources and output
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2020, the anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands slightly increased (by 4.86 million m3) in comparison with the previous year and amounted to 2,510.74 million m3 in 2021 (or about 4,268.26 million tonnes as recalculated using a weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). The growth was recorded despite the ongoing exploitation and the crossing out the resources of Hutki II deposit from ‘The balance…’ (Małopolskie Voivodeship; −0.49 million m3), as there was a new documentation with recalculated resources (the supplement No 4) approved for the Obora deposit (Dolnośląskie Voivodeship) – enlarging the deposit area and the deposit resources by 7.86 million m3. There was also a new documentation approved for the Szczakowa-Bukowno deposit (Małopolskie Voivodeship) which has not changed the resources volume but was focused on the raw material quality and the hydrogeological conditions.
The economic resources decreased by 5.36 million m3 in comparison with 2020 due to the exploitation and the extinction of the exploitation concession for the Bór Wschód deposit (Śląskie Voivodeship; −3.28 million m3) and the Hutki II deposit (Małopolskie Voivodeship; −0.20 million m3) and amounted to 42.91 million m3. In 2021, there was a new exploitation concession issued for the Bór Zachód deposit and the economic resources were estimated at 0.55 million m3.
The output of backfilling sands from 6 exploited deposits in 2021 decreased by 62.82 thousand m3 in comparison with the previous year and totaled 2,725.25 thousand m3 (4,632.93 thousand tonnes). The exploitation increased from the Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposit (Małopolskie Voivodeship), whereas in the remaining deposits the output remained at the stable level or was lower. The exploitation from the Kuźnica Warężyńska and the Szczakowa pole I deposits is still on hold, however, the Kuźnica Warężyńska deposit is classified as abandoned because the output has not been carried out for more than 10 years.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2021.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Galos K., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 – ‘Piaski kwarcowe do produkcji betonów komórkowych (quartz sand for cellular concrete manufacture), piaski kwarcowe do produkcji wyrobów wapienno-piaskowych (quartz sand for lime-sand products manufacture), piaski podsadzkowe (filling sand)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 309-313. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2020
General information and occurrence
Backfilling sands are used for making a hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill depleted mining excavations. Documented backfilling sands deposits occur in the areas of an intensive underground mining, especially those of the hard coal and copper in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin area and in Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is the location at the distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits is located around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas can be differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area (where the majority of the raw material volumes is exploited) extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by the occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and partially eolian origin, attaining up to 70 m in a thickness (Pustynia Błędowska Desert). The second area with the largest resources covers the proglacial stream valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland. The average thicknesses of the deposits located within this area are within the range of 15 – 20 m. The northern area covers the Mała Panew River valley where fluvioglacial sand deposits occur, characterized by the significant thicknesses (up to 40 m). The deposits are explored well enough but have not been exploited so far. Moreover, sandy-gravel sediments up to 30 m in thickness occur in the copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin. The large number of documented backfilling sands deposits in Poland together with the declining demand are 2 main factors for not delineating the prognostic areas for this raw material at the moment*.
The clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
Resources and output
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2020, the anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands amounted to 2,505.88 million m3 (or about 4,260.00 million tonnes as recalculated using a weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). The resources decreased in comparison with 2019 by 6.20 million m3, mainly due to the exploitation and losses (2.79 million m3), but also as the result of the approval of a new geological documentation with recalculated resources for Jaworów deposit (Dolnośląskie Voivodeship; −1.65 million m3). The documentation was elaborated due to the inclusion of the part of Jaworów deposit resources into the sand and gravel Jaworów I deposit.
The economic resources slightly decreased by 0.31 million m3 in comparison with 2019, due to the following reasons: the exploitation (−2.79 million m3); the extinction of the exploitation concession for Bór (Zachód) deposit (Śląskie Voivodeship; −0.89 million m3); the elaboration of a new deposit development plan for Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposit (Małopolskie Voivodeship; +0.59 million m3); the elaboration of a supplement to the deposit development plan for Szczakowa deposit (Małopolskie Voivodeship; +2.14 million m3).
The output of backfilling sands from 6 exploited deposits increased by 464.41 thousand m3 in comparison with the previous year and totaled 2,788.07 thousand m3 (4,739.71 thousand tonnes) in 2020. The exploitation increased from 4 deposits, whereas the significant drop (by almost 80%) was recorded for Bór (Zachód) deposit as the result of the exploitation end. The exploitation from Kuźnica Warężyńska and Szczakowa pole I deposits is still on hold. However, Kuźnica Warężyńska deposit was classified as abandoned because the out has not been carried out for more than 10 years.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2020.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Galos K., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 – ‘Piaski kwarcowe do produkcji betonów komórkowych (quartz sand for cellular concrete manufacture), piaski kwarcowe do produkcji wyrobów wapienno-piaskowych (quartz sand for lime-sand products manufacture), piaski podsadzkowe (filling sand)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 309-313. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].
2019
General information and occurrence
Backfilling sands are used for making a hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill depleted mining excavations. Documented backfilling sands deposits occur in the areas of an intensive underground mining, especially those of the hard coal and copper mining in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin area and in Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is the location at the distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits is located around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas can be differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area (where the majority of the raw material volumes is exploited) extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by the occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and partially eolian origin, attaining up to 70 m in a thickness (Pustynia Błędowska Desert). The second area with the largest resources covers the proglacial stream valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland. The average thicknesses of the deposits located within this area are within the range of 15 – 20 m. The northern area covers the Mała Panew River valley where fluvioglacial sand deposits occur, characterized by the significant thicknesses (up to 40 m). The deposits are explored well enough but have not been developed so far. Moreover, sandy-gravel deposits up to 30 m in thickness occur in the copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin. The large number of documented backfilling sands deposits in Poland together with the declining demand are 2 main factors for not delineating the prognostic areas for this raw material at the moment*.
The clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
Resources and output
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2018, the anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands amounted to 2,512.08 million m3 (or about 4,270.54 million tonnes as recalculated using a weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). The resources decreased in comparison with 2018 by 3.00 million m3, mainly due to the exploitation and losses. The minor resources drop (−30 thousand tonnes) was the result of the approval of a new geological documentation with recalculated resources for Siersza-Misiury deposit – elaborated due to the exploitation end.
The economic resources decreased by 25.01 million m3 (it means by more than 30%) in comparison with 2018, mainly due to: – the exploitation concession for Szczakowa pole I changes (−11.54 million m3) – there was a new, much smaller mining area delineating for this deposit; – the extinction of the concession for Siersza-Misiury deposit (−9.4 million m3); – the elaboration of a new deposit development plan for Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposit (−1.18 million m3); – the exploitation and losses.
The output of backfilling sands from 6 exploited deposits decreased by 697 thousand m3 in comparison with the previous year and totaled 2,324 thousand m3 (3,951 thousand tonnes) in 2019. The exploitation increased from 3 deposits, whereas from the 3 remaining ones the output dropped and the exploitation from Siersza-Misiury deposit ended. The exploitation from Kuźnica Warężyńska and Szczakowa pole I deposits is still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2019.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
* Galos K., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 – ‘Piaski kwarcowe do produkcji betonów komórkowych (quartz sand for cellular concrete manufacture), piaski kwarcowe do produkcji wyrobów wapienno-piaskowych (quartz sand for lime-sand products manufacture), piaski podsadzkowe (filling sand)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 309-313. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.
2018
Backfilling sands are used for making a hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill depleted mining excavations. Documented backfilling sands deposits occur in the areas of an intensive underground mining, especially those of the hard coal and copper mining in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin area and in Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is the location at the distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits is located around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas can be differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area (where the majority of the raw material volumes is exploited) extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by the occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and partially eolian origin, attaining up to 70 m in a thickness (Pustynia Błędowska Desert). The second area with the largest resources covers the proglacial stream valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland. The average thicknesses of the deposits located within this area are within the range of 15 – 20 m. The northern area covers the Mała Panew River valley where fluvioglacial sand deposits occur, characterized by the significant thicknesses (up to 40 m). The deposits are explored well enough but have not been developed so far. Moreover, sandy-gravel deposits up to 30 m in thickness occur in the copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
The clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2018, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands amounted to 2,515.08 million m3 (or about 4,275.64 million tonnes as recalculated using a weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). The resources decreased by 2.53 million m3 due to the exploitation and losses. The anticipated economic resources slightly increased (by 315 thousand m3) only in Szczakowa-Bukowno deposit located in Małopolskie Voivodeship. It was the result of the approving of a new documentation with recalculated resources for this deposit as the entrepreneur will be applying for an exploitation concession. It was the only geological documentation of backfilling sands accepted in 2018. The number of backfilling sands deposits dropped by 2 due to the crossing out in 2017 from ‘The balance…’: Pustynia Błędowska – obszar pozostały and Szczakowa pole II deposits.
Economic resources decreased by 2.09 million m3 in comparison with 2017, due to the exploitation and losses. The drop was partially compensated by the economic resources growth in the following deposits: Obora in Dolnośląskie Voivodeship and Bór (Zachód) in Śląskie Voivodeship. The growth was the result of supplements to the deposit development plans elaboration. The resources in Obora deposit was slightly adjusted – by 3 thousand m3 (0.02%), whereas in Bór (Zachód) deposit the resources classified up to now as losses (the part of the deposit located below the abandoned mine railway siding) were reclassified to the economic resources.
The output of backfilling sands from seven exploited deposits increased by 324 thousand m3 in comparison with the previous year and totaled 3,021 thousand m3 (5,136 thousand tonnes) in 2018. The production grew by about 200 thousand m3 from three deposits apiece, with the biggest increase for Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposit (+239 thousand m3), whereas the output drop was recorded in four deposits. There was not the exploitation carried out from Szczakowa pole I deposit in spite of the valid concession. The exploitation from Kuźnica Warężyńska deposit is still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2018.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2017
Backfilling sands are used for making a hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill voids created by an underground mining. Over the last few decades this has been the most popular form of the underground mining backfilling. Documented backfilling sands deposits occur mainly in the areas of the intensive underground mining, especially those of the hard coal and copper mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is the location at the distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits is situated around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas are differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area, which is the center of the production of that raw material, extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by the occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and locally eolian origin attaining up to 70 m in a maximum thickness (Pustynia Błędowska Desert). The second area with the largest resources comprises the Pleistocene valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland and its sand deposits are from 15 m to 20 m thick at the average. The northern area comprises the Mała Panew River valley with its fluvioglacial sand deposits characterized by a significant thickness (up to 40 m). The deposits are explored well enough but have not been developed so far. Moreover, sandy-gravel deposits up to 30 m in thickness occur in the copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
The clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2017, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands amounted to 2,517.61 million m3 (or about 4,279.94 million tonnes as recalculated using a weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). Resources decreased by 123.90 million m3 mainly due to the crossing 2 deposits out from ‘The balance…’: Pustynia Błędowska – obszar pozostały (−79.72 million m3) and Szczakowa pole II (−84.14 million m3). The resources of listed deposits have been recognized as not available due to the current state of the area development and their occurrence partly below the groundwater level. These factors, together with the perspective of the lead and zinc mines in Olkusz region shutdown and with the cessation of the underground mining voids dewatering, result in backfilling sands deposits being useless for further exploitation. The significant resources drop was also recorded for Szczakowa-Bukowno deposit (−3.96 million tonnes) due to the reduction of the deposit area as the result of the land use changes. Remaining, minor resources drops – at the amount over a dozen thousand m3 – were the result of the exploitation and losses in the developed deposits. The anticipated resources growth was recorded for Szczakowa pole I deposit (+50.67 million m3) due to the elaboration of a new documentation with recalculated resources. The part of the resources documented so far as anticipated sub-economic was recognized as anticipated economic.
Economic resources decreased by 3.22 million m3 in comparison with 2016, due to the exploitation and losses. In 2017 no new deposit development plans for backfilling sands deposits have been elaborated.
The production of backfilling sands totaled 2,697 thousand m3 (4,585 thousand tonnes) being by 214 thousand m3 (7%) lower than in the previous year. The production dropped in 4 out of 8 exploited deposits with the most significant decrease for Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposit (−131 thousand m3). The exploitation from Kuźnica Warężyńska deposit is still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2017.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2016
Backfilling sands are used in making hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill voids created by underground mining. Over the last few decades this has been the most popular form of underground mining backfilling. Documented backfilling sands deposits are situated mainly in the areas of intense underground mining, especially those of hard coal and copper mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and the Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is location in distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits are situated around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposits areas are differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area which is the center of production of that raw material extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and locally eolian origin attaining up to 70 m in maximum thickness in the Pustynia Błędowska Desert. The second area with the largest resources comprises the Pleistocene valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and a western part of the Silesian Upland and its sand deposits are from 15 m to 20 m thick at the average. The northern area comprises the Mała Panew River valley with its sand deposits up to 40 m in thickness. The deposits are well explored but still undeveloped. Sandy-gravel deposits up to 30 m in thickness also occur in copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
Clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2016, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sands amounted to 2,641.51 million m3 (or about 4,490.57 million tonnes as recalculated using weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). Resources increased by 74.43 million m3 mainly due to the correction of Strzybnica deposit resources (the growth by 33 million m3) which was the result of collecting by the National Geological Archive a missing new documentation with recalculated resources. Moreover, the resources grew by reclassification of resources within protective pillars to the resources beyond these pillars for Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposit. There was also a new documentation with recalculated resources approved for Marklowice deposit where a part of anticipated sub-economic resources was reclassified to anticipated economic resources (19.5 million m3). Anticipated economic resources decreased in Pole Brynica deposit (there was also a change of name – the former name was Brynica) due to the approval of a new documentation with recalculated resources. The other reasons for resources reduction were exploitation and losses in exploited deposits.
Economic resources decreased by 4.09 million m3 in comparison with 2015, due to the exploitation and losses. In 2016 no new deposit development plans for backfilling sands deposits have been elaborated.
Production of backfilling sands totaled 2,911 thousand m3 (4,949 thousand tonnes) being by 638 thousand m3 (18%) lower than in the previous year. The production dropped in all of seven deposits which have been under exploitation in the years 2015-2016. The most significant decline (more than 100 thousand m3) occurred in Bór (Zachód), Kotlarnia p.północne and Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV deposits. In 2016 the exploitation from Bór (Wschód) deposit was resumed whereas from Kuźnica Warężyńska was still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2016.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2015
Backfilling sand is used in making hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill voids created by underground mining. Over the last few decades it has been the most popular form of underground mining backfill. Documented backfilling sand deposits are situated mainly in the areas of intense underground mining, especially those of hard coal and copper mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and Lubin vicinities. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfilling sand deposits is location in distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits are situated around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas are differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area which is the center of production of that raw material extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and locally eolian origin attaining up to 70 m in maximum thickness in the Pustynia Błędowska Desert. The second area with the largest resources comprises the Pleistocene valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and western part of the Silesian Upland and its sand deposits are 15 to 20 m thick at the average. The northern area comprises the Mała Panew River valley with its sand deposits up to 40 m in thickness. The deposits are well explored but still undeveloped. Sandy-gravel deposits up to 40 m in thickness also occur in copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
Clastic rock raw materials occurrence in Poland (including backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2015, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sand amounted to 2,567 million m3 (or about 4,364 million tonnes as recalculated using weight-to-volume ratio: 1 m3 = 1.7 t). Resources increased by 59.34 million m3 mainly due to the documentation of new deposit – Marklowice 1 (63.03 million m3), which was allocated from the northern part of Marklowice deposit. All resources within Marklowice deposit are classified as anticipated subeconomic.
Economic resources increased by 6.41 million m3 in comparison with 2014, due to the new deposit management plans approved for Obora deposit. The majority of resources were reclassified from non-economic to economic.
Production of backfilling sand totaled 3,549 thousand m3 (6,033.33 thousand tonnes) being 262 thousand m3 lower than in the previous year (table 2). The production dropped in six deposits (out of seven under exploitation). The most significant decline (more than 70 thousand m3) occurred in Obora, Kotlarnia p. północne and Bór (Zachód) deposits. The exploitation from Bór (Wschód), Szczakowa pole II and Kuźnica Warężyńska deposits is still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2015.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2014
Backfilling sand is used in making hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill voids created by underground mining. Over the last few decades it has been the most popular form of underground mining backfill. Documented backfill sand deposits are situated mainly in areas of intense underground mining, especially those of hard coal and copper mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and Legnica-Głogów Copper District. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfill sand deposits is location in distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits are situated around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas are differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area which is the center of production of that raw material extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and locally eolian origin attaining up to 70 m in maximum thickness in the Pustynia Błędowska Desert. The second area with the largest resources comprises the Pleistocene valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and western part of the Silesian Upland and its sand deposits are 15 to 20 m thick at the average. The northern area comprises the Mała Panew River valley with its sand deposits up to 40 m in thickness. The deposits are well explored but still undeveloped. Sandy-gravel deposits up to 40 m in thickness also occur in copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
Clastic rock raw materials occurence in Poland (inlcuding backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2014, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sand totaled 2,508 million (or about 4,264 million tonnes – as recalculated using weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). Resources increased by 161 million m3 mainly due to taking into account the calculations of Chróstnik deposit resources approved in 1990. In 2014 there were new calculations for this deposit made and new sand and gravel deposit (Chróstnik 1) was allocated from it. Nevertheless, the final growth of the Chróstnik deposit resources amounted to 81.6 million m3. There was Tworóg Mały deposit (Śląskie Voivodeship) crossed out of the Balance in 2014.
Economic resources, calculated in deposit management plans decreased by 238 thousand m3 in comparison with 2013. There was new calculation of these resources approved for Siersza-Misiury deposit.
Production of backfilling sand totaled 3,811 thousand m3 being 162 thousand m3 bigger than in the previous year. It was the 1st year of the production growth after 6-year drop. The most significant growth occurred in Kotlarnia p.północne deposit (by 100 thousand m3). The exploitation from Bór (Wschód), Szczakowa pole II and Kuźnica Warężyńska deposits is still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2014.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2013
Backfilling sand is used in making hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill voids created by underground mining. Over the last few decades it has been the most popular form of underground mining backfill. Documented backfill sand deposits are situated mainly in areas of intense underground mining, especially those of hard coal and copper mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and Legnica-Głogów Copper District. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfill sand deposits is location in distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits are situated around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas are differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area which is the center of production of that raw material extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and locally eolian origin attaining up to 70 m in maximum thickness in the Pustynia Błędowska Desert. The second area with the largest resources comprises the Pleistocene valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and western part of the Silesian Upland and its sand deposits are 15 to 20 m thick at the average. The northern area comprises the Mała Panew River valley with its sand deposits up to 40 m in thickness. The deposits are well explored but still undeveloped. Sandy-gravel deposits up to 40 m in thickness also occur in copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
Clastic rock raw materials occurence in Poland (inlcuding backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2013, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sand totaled 2,470 million m3 (or about 4,199 million tonnes – as recalculated using weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). Resources decreased by 161 million m3 mainly due to the crossing out Ochojec deposit from ‘The balance…’ and a new documentation with recalculated resources approved for Kotlarnia Solarnia deposit in 2013.
Economic resources, calculated in deposit management plans decreased by almost 50% in comparison with 2012 (through the changes in concession for Kotlarnia p. północne deposit exploitation).
Production of backfilling sand totaled 3,649 thousand m3 being 113 thousand m3 smaller than in the previous year. It was the 6th consecutive year of the declining production. There was not exploitation from Bór (Wschód) deposit carried out in 2013 and the exploitation from Kuźnica Warężyńska deposit is still on hold.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2013.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2012
Backfilling sand is used in making hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill voids created by underground mining. This has over the last few decades been the most popular form of underground mining backfill. Proven backfill sand deposits are situated mainly in areas of intense underground mining, especially those of hard coal and copper mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and Legnica-Głogów Copper District. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfill sand deposits is location in distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits are situated around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas are differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area which is the center of production of that raw material extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and locally eolian origin attaining up to 70 m in maximum thickness in the Pustynia Błędowska Desert. The second area with the largest resources comprises the Pleistocene valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and western part of the Silesian Upland and its sand deposits are 15 to 20 m thick at the average. The northern area comprises the Mała Panew River valley with its sand deposits up to 40 m in thickness. The deposits are well explored but still undeveloped. Sandy-gravel deposits up to 40 m in thickness also occur in copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
The currently exploited backfilling sand deposits with the largest resources include Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV, Kotlarnia pole północne, Siersza-Misiury, Obora and Szczakowa pole I deposits.
Clastic rock raw materials occurence in Poland (inlcuding backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfilling sand deposits.
In 2012, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sand totaled 2,631 million m3 (or about 4,473 million tonnes (as recalculated using weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). Resources decreased by 2 million m3 due to the exploitation and losses.
In 2012, production of backfilling sand totaled 3,762 thousand m3 being 643 thousand m3 smaller than in the previous year. It was the fifth consecutive year of the declining production.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2012.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon
2011
Backfilling sand is used in making hydraulically placed fill – a mixture of sand and water to fill voids created by underground mining. This has over the last few decades been the most popular form of underground mining backfill. Proven backfill sand deposits are situated mainly in areas of intense underground mining, especially those of hard coal and copper mining in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin and Legnica-Głogów Copper District. One of the major requirements which sand deposits should meet to be classified as backfill sand deposits is location in distance less than 50 km from the place where the raw material is to be used.
The majority of backfilling sand deposits are situated around the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Three main deposit areas are differentiated: eastern, western and northern. The eastern area which is the center of production of that raw material, extends from Kuźnica Warężyńska through the Pustynia Błędowska Desert as far as the vicinities of Jaworzno. It is characterized by occurrence of sands of fluvioglacial and locally eolian origin attaining up to 70 m in maximum thickness in the Pustynia Błędowska Desert. The second area with the largest resources comprises the Pleistocene valley of the Odra River in a part of the Racibórz Basin and western part of the Silesian Upland and its sand deposits are 15 to 20 m thick at the average. The northern area comprises the Mała Panew River valley with its sand deposits up to 40 m in thickness. The deposits are well explored but still undeveloped.
Sandy-gravel deposits up to 40 m in thickness also occur in copper mining areas in the vicinities of Lubin.
The currently exploited backfilling sand deposits with the largest resources include Pustynia Błędowska – blok IV, Kotlarnia pole północne, Siersza-Misiury, Obora and Szczakowa pole I deposits.
Clastic rock raw materials occurence in Poland (inlcuding backfilling sand) is presented on the map.
The table given below shows resources and the current state of exploration and development of backfill sand deposits.
In 2011, anticipated economic resources of backfilling sand totaled 2,633 million m3 (or about 4,476 million tonnes (as recalculated using weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3). Resources decreased by 36 million m3).
In 2011, production of backfilling sand totaled 4,405 million m3 (or about 7.49 million tonnes as recalculated using weight-to-volume ratio 1.7 t/m3), being 686 thousand m3 smaller than in the previous year. It was the fourth consecutive year of the declining production.
The figure given below shows changes in domestic resources and production of backfilling sands in Poland in the years 1989-2011.
Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon