Dimension and crushed stones

2022

General information and occurrence

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in ‘The balance…’ to the dimension and crushed stones (other name: road and building stones) comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in a  domestic economy. The stones meeting the appropriate requirements are used for the production of crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for the building, road and railway construction and stone elements for the road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and the building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Deposits of the igneous and metamorphic rocks occur mainly in t he southern part of Poland – in t he area of the following Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie (basalts, granites, granodiorites, syenites, diabases, gabbros, melaphyres, porphyres, porphyric tuffs, amphibolites, serpentinites, greenstones, gneisses, migmatites, crystalline schists, marbles), Opolskie (basalts, granites, gneisses, marbles) and Małopolskie (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits located in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, sandstones in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, whereas limestones, opokas and marls in t he area of south-eastern Poland Voivodeships (Lubelskie and Podkarpackie).

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones as of the end of 2022 amounted to 11,727.21 million tonnes. They increased by 111.77 million tonnes, that is b y 0.96% in c omparison with the previous year. The number of deposits grew from 746 (in 2021) to 750 (in 2022) – 7 new deposits were documented and 3 deposit was not included in ‘The balance…’ as they were crossed out from the registry. The most numerous are represented the sedimentary rocks deposits– by 548 deposits accounting for 69.7% of the total deposits number. The number of the documented igneous rocks deposits is e qual 176 (accounting for 22.4% of the total deposits number), whereas the metamorphic rocks deposits amount to 62 (accounting for 7.9% of the total deposits number). It should be noted that in d ozen or so deposits, more than one lithological type of the raw material occur.

The location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

The anticipated economic resources of sedimentary rocks represent 47.6% of the total resources (5,577.68 million tonnes), of igneous rocks 39.8% of the resources (4,663.25 million tonnes) and of metamorphic rocks 12.6% (1,486.27 million tonnes). The most significant resources growth was recorded for the sedimentary rocks i.e. by 55.97 million tonnes (it means by 1.01%) – mainly due to the increases within s andstones, dolomites and limestones. The resources of the igneous and metamorphic rocks increased by 38.07 million tonnes (0.82%) and by 17.73 million tonnes (1.21%), respectively – the most visible resources growths were noted for granites and amphibolites.

About 54.6% of the anticipated economic resources of the given group of raw materials i.e. 6,407.28 million tonnes include 312 exploited deposits (exploited continuously and temporarily). In the group of non-exploited deposits there are 200 deposits covered by the detailed exploration with the resources equal 2,596.81 million tonnes (accounting for 22.1% of the total resources) and 47 deposits covered by the preliminary exploration with the resources equal 1,778.73 million tonnes (accounting for 15.32% of the total resources). The resources of 191 deposits in w hich the exploitation was abandoned amount to 944.39 million tonnes accounting for 8.1% of the total geological resources of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1 shows the current state of the exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

The economic resources amounted to 3,978.57 million tonnes in 2022, increasing by 244.65 million tonnes (6.6%) in c omparison with 2021. These changes resulted from the elaboration of new deposit development plans and supplements to such plans, and also from the exploitation and losses.

The anticipated economic resources growth in 2022 was connected with the documentation of new deposits, the extending of existing deposits boundaries, the more detailed exploration of the deposits and the reclassification and verification of the resources. The resources increase due to:

• the extension of the deposits areas or deepening of their range (the total resources growth by 182.62 million tonnes): the granite deposit Gniewków (the growth by 63.80 million tonnes), the amphibolite deposit Ogorzelec I (25.57 million tonnes), the dolomite deposit Winna (23.46 million tonnes), the limestone deposit Łagów IV (23.37 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Lipowica II-1 (22.76 million tonnes), the dolomite deposit Wszachów III (6.34 million tonnes), the greywacke sandstone deposit Młynów (4.91 million tonnes), the dolomite deposit Komorniki 1 (4.20 million tonnes), the limestone and dolomite deposit Imielin-Rek (3.49 million tonnes), the granite deposit Morawa-Wschód (2.31 million tonnes), the limestone deposit Sławno (1.73 million tonnes) and the sandstone deposit Walowa Góra (0.59 million tonnes);
• including 7 newly documented deposits into ‘The balance…’ with the total resources equal 17.54 million tonnes – the limestone deposit Łagów VI (the growth by 7.25 million tonnes), the sandstone deposits: Szkucin (3.65 million tonnes), Bysina 5 (1.89 million tonnes), Bysina 4 (1.75 million tonnes), Czchów (1.65 million tonnes), Sielec V (0.87 million tonnes) and Łodygowice II (0.48 million tonnes);
• the more detailed deposit exploration, the resources reclassification and recalculation, the current verification and updating of resources at the level of 2.76 million tonnes.

The anticipated economic resources drop of dimension and crushed stones in 2022 was the result of:

• the ongoing exploitation (79.94 million tonnes);
• the changes of documentation boundaries together with the resources updating for the limestone deposit Kodrąb-2 and the sandstone deposits: Manasterz and Obłaziec-Gahura (the total drop by 6.92 million tonnes);
• the updating and recalculation of resources, the better deposits exploration and the settlement of the exploitation losses – the total drop by 3.75 million tonnes;
• crossing out 2 limestone deposits from the domestic registry: Rakowiczki and Wyżne-Podwiszówka (the total drop by 0.54 million tonnes).

According to the data provided by the concession holders of the exploited deposits, the output of dimension and crushed stones amounted in 2022 to 79.94 million tonnes and increased in c omparison with 2021 by 0.82 million tonnes (1.04%). In terms of the output volume, the most important are the sedimentary rocks: limestones and dolomites (accounting for 43.15% of the total domestic output – 34.50 million tonnes) and sandstones – accounting for 11.74% of the total output – 9.39 million tonnes. Among the igneous rocks the following types of rocks are the most significant regarding the output volumes: granites (10.05 million tonnes, accounting for 13.82% of the total output), basalts (7.53 million tonnes – 9.42%), melaphyres (3.79 million tonnes – 4.75%) and gabbros (2.55 million tonnes – 3.19%). The metamorphic rocks are of the minor importance considering the output of solid rocks – there should only be mentioned migmatites (2.77 million tonnes – 3.47%) and amphibolites (2.37 million tonnes – 2.98%). In comparison with 2021, the output of sedimentary rocks decreased by 1.99% (0.90 million tonnes), whereas for igneous and metamorphic rocks increased by 5.97% (1.57 million tonnes) and 1.97% (0.15 million tonnes), respectively.

In the structure of dimension and crushed stones output there are small ranges dominating (below 50 thousand tonnes annually) – such mines account for about 45% of the total number of extractive plants (active). Nevertheless, their total share in t he domestic output is m inor – below 2%, whereas their share in t he domestic documented anticipated economic resources is o nly about 3%. Mining plants with the annual output level exceeding 1 million tonnes are of the highest importance. Deposits with such level of exploitation account for nearly 11% of the total number of extractive plants (active) and contain l ess than 19% of the domestic documented resources, but their share in t he domestic output is m uch higher – nearly 50%.

The rock mining is t raditionally concentrated within t he area of 2 Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie which accounts for 42.25% of the domestic output of the dimension and crushed stones (264 deposits and 52.2% of the domestic resources) and Świętokrzyskie with the share in t he total output of 32.11% (143 deposits and 21.5% of the domestic resources). Then comes Małopolskie Voivodeship accounting for 12.72% of the total output (105 deposits and 10.9% of the domestic resources) and the following Voivodeships: Śląskie (4.91% of the domestic output), Opolskie (4.10%) and Podkarpackie (3.26%). The total share of the remaining Voivodeships (Lubelskie, Łódzkie and Mazowieckie) in t he total domestic output is l ess than 0.65%.

Dimension and crushed stones are being also obtained during the brown coal exploitation. In 2022 there were 4.95 thousand tonnes of erratic boulders and nearly 1.14 million tonnes of limestones exploited in K WB Bełchatów SA mine (the Szczerców field).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2022.

 

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

The resources volumes, the state of deposits development and the output amounts divided into the lithological types of rocks documented as dimension and crushed stones are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones deposits – thousand tonnes

The prospective resources of dimension and crushed stone were assessed to be equal about 36,921 million tonnes, whereas the biggest resources are located in t he area of Małopolskie Voivodeship (53.4% of the total resources), Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (16.4% of the total resources), Śląskie Voivodeship (13.0% of the total resources) and Dolnośląskie Voivodeship (10.7% of the total resources)*. The assessed prognostic resources of dimension and crushed stones amount to about 33,208 million tonnes and their occurrence is c oncentrated in D olnośląskie Voivodeship (82.3% of the total resources) and Śląskie Voivodeship (13.4% of the total resources). The prospective and prognostic resources are concentrated mainly within t he area of 4 Vovivodeships: Dolnośląskie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie, which is i n line with the current mining centers of this r aw material from documented deposits. With regard to lithology, the largest resources are formed by the sedimentary rocks (32,867 million tonnes of prospective resources and 5,845 million tonnes of prognostic resources – these are mainly sandstones, limestones and dolomites), then metamorphic rocks (765 million tonnes of prospective resources and 23,905 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly gneisses) and then – igneous rocks (3,289 million tonnes of prospective resources and 3,458 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly granodiorites and granites).

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

* Brzeziński D., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 - ‘Kamienie łamane i bloczne (crushed and dimension stones), kamienie drogowe i budowlane (road and building stones)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 297-304. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2021

General information and occurrence

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in ‘The balance…’ to the dimension and crushed stones (other name: road and building stones) comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in a  domestic economy. The stones meeting the appropriate requirements are used for the production of crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for the building, road and railway construction and stone elements for the road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and the building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Deposits of the igneous and metamorphic rocks occur mainly in t he southern part of Poland – in t he area of the following Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie (basalts, granites, granodiorites, syenites, diabases, gabbros, melaphyres, porphyres, porphyric tuffs, amphibolites, serpentinites, greenstones, gneisses, migmatites, crystalline schists, marbles), Opolskie (basalts, granites, gneisses, marbles) and Małopolskie (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits located in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, sandstones in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, whereas limestones, opokas and marls in t he area of south-eastern Poland Voivodeships (Lubelskie and Podkarpackie).

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones as of the end of 2021 amounted to 11,615.44 million tonnes. They increased by 94.00 million tonnes, that is b y 0.82% in c omparison with the previous year. The number of deposits grew from 741 to 746 – 6 new deposits were documented and 1 deposit was not included in ‘The balance…’ as it was crossed out in 2020. The most numerous are the sedimentary rocks deposits represented – by 544 deposits accounting for 69.6% of the total deposits number. The number of the documented igneous rocks deposits is e qual 176 (accounting for 22.5% of the total deposits number), whereas the metamorphic rocks deposits amount to 62 (accounting for 7.9% of the total deposits number). It should be noted that in d ozen or so deposits, more than one lithological type of the raw material occur.

The location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

The anticipated economic resources of sedimentary rocks represent 47.6% of the total resources (5,521.71 million tonnes), of igneous rocks 39.8% of the resources (4,625.18 million tonnes) and of metamorphic rocks 12.6% (1,468.55 million tonnes). Similarly to the previous year, the most significant resources growth was recorded for the igneous rocks i.e. by 61.09 million tonnes (it means by 1.34%) – mainly due to the increases within g ranites and porphyres. The resources of the metamorphic and sedimentary rocks increased by 21.62 million tonnes (1.49%) and by 11.30 million tonnes (0.21%), respectively – the most visible resources growth were noted for gneisses and sandstones.

About 54.1% of the anticipated economic resources of the given group of raw materials i.e. 6,285.15 million tonnes include 312 exploited deposits (exploited continuously and temporarily). In the group of non-exploited deposits there are 198 deposits covered by the detailed exploration with the resources equal 2,611.55 million tonnes (accounting for 22.5% of the total resources) and 47 deposits covered by the preliminary exploration with the resources equal 1,778.73 million tonnes (accounting for 15.3% of the total resources). The resources of 189 deposits in w hich the exploitation was abandoned amount to 940.01 million tonnes accounting for 8.1% of the total geological resources of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1 shows the current state of the exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

The economic resources amounted to 3,733.92 million tonnes in 2021 increasing by 54.81 million tonnes (1.5%) in c omparison with 2020. These changes resulted from the elaboration of new deposit development plans and supplements to such plans, and also from the exploitation and losses.

The anticipated economic resources growth in 2021 was connected with the documentation of new deposits, the extending of existing deposits boundaries, the more detailed exploration of the deposits and the reclassification and verification of the resources. The resources increase due to:

• the extension of the deposits areas or the deepening of their range (the total resources growth by 127.71 million tonnes): the sandstone deposit Lipowica II-1 (the growth by 37.62 million tonnes), the gneiss deposit Doboszowice (29.28 million tonnes), the granite deposit Wieśnica (21.58 million tonnes), the limestone and dolomite deposit Józefka (15.09 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Szufnarowa (10.25 million tonnes), the limestone deposit Celiny I (6.10 million tonnes), the dolomite deposit Libiąż (3.47 million tonnes), the granite deposit Barcz I (3.20 million tonnes), and the Bysina 2, Męcina, Skrzydlna 3 and Ulanica-Wólka deposits (the total growth by 1.12 million tonnes);
• the including 6 newly documented deposits into ‘The balance…’ with the total resources equal 79.06 million tonnes – the granite deposit Gniewków II (the growth by 51.00 million tonnes), the porphyry deposit Olszyny I (20.68 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Zbylutów 1 (6.21 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Żeliszów I (0.64 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Pilichowice XI (0.30 million tonnes) and the menilite schists deposit Ulanica-Wólka 1 (0.23 million tonnes);
• the more detailed exploration, the resources reclassification and recalculation, the current verification and updating of resources at the level of 4.26 million tonnes.

The anticipated economic resources drop of dimension and crushed stones in 2021 was the result of:

• the ongoing exploitation (79.12 million tonnes);
• the changes of documentation boundaries together with the resources updating and the more detailed deposits exploration (the total drop by 23.36 million tonnes) – the granite deposit Gniewków (the drop by 9.19 million tonnes), the limestone deposit Łagów II (5.77 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Zbylutów (5.22 million tonnes), the limestone deposit Nielepice (1.99 million tonnes), the sandstone and dolomite deposit Nowy Staw (0.61 million tonnes) and the dolomite deposit Nowa Wioska (0.58 million tonnes);
• crossing out the limestone deposit Szczukowskie Górki 2 (the drop by 8.08 million tonnes) and two sandstone deposits – Męcina 1 and Śmiłów-Sasal (the total drop by 0.43 million tonnes);
• the updating and recalculation of resources, the better deposits exploration and the settlement of the exploitation losses – the total drop by 6.07 million tonnes.

According to the data provided by the concession holders of the exploited deposits, the output of dimension and crushed stones amounted in 2021 to 79.12 million tonnes and increased in c omparison with 2020 by 2.56 million tonnes (3.34%). In terms of the output volume, the most important are the sedimentary rocks: limestones and dolomites – accounting for 44.68% of the total domestic output – 35.35 million tonnes, and sandstones – accounting for 11.83% of the total output – 9.36 million tonnes. Among the igneous rocks the following types of rocks are the most significant regarding the output volumes: granites (10.39 million tonnes, accounting for 13.13% of the total output), basalts (7.04 million tonnes – 8.90%) and melaphyres (3.82 million tonnes – 4.83%). The metamorphic rocks are of the minor importance considering the output of solid rocks (the total output of 7.62 million tonnes, share inthe domestic output of 9.63%). In comparison with 2020, the output of sedimentary rocks increased by 4.71% (2.03 million tonnes), whereas that of metamorphic rocks by 8.65% (0.61 million tonnes). The output volume of igneous rocks decreased by 0.32% (0.08 million tonnes) but the drop covered only melaphyres and porphyres.

The rock mining is c oncentrated within t he area of 2 Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie which accounts for 40.33% of the domestic output of the dimension and crushed stones (264 deposits and 52.1% of the domestic resources) and Świętokrzyskie with the share in t he total output of 34.19% (142 deposits and 21.3% of the domestic resources). Then comes Małopolskie Voivodeship accounting for 11.87% of the total output (103 deposits and 11.0% of the domestic resources) and the following Voivodeships: Śląskie (5.60% of the domestic output), Opolskie (4.18%), Podkarpackie (3.18%) and Łódzkie (0.60%). The shares of the remaining Voivodeships (Lubelskie and Mazowieckie) do not exceed 0.05%.

Dimension and crushed stones are being also obtained during the brown coal exploitation. In 2021 there were 2.43 thousand tonnes of erratic boulders, 7.42 thousand tonnes of sandstones and quartzites, and 658.30 thousand tonnes of limestones exploited in K WB Bełchatów SA mine (the Szczerców field).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2021.

 

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

The resources volumes, the state of deposits development and the output amounts divided into the lithological types of rocks documented as dimension and crushed stones are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones deposits – thousand tonnes

The prospective resources of dimension and crushed stone were assessed to be equal about 36,921 million tonnes, whereas the biggest resources are located in t he area of Małopolskie Voivodeship (53.4% of the total resources), Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (16.4% of the total resources), Śląskie Voivodeship (13.0% of the total resources) and Dolnośląskie Voivodeship (10.7% of the total resources)*. The assessed prognostic resources of dimension and crushed stones amount to about 33,208 million tonnes and their occurrence is c oncentrated in D olnośląskie Voivodeship (82.3% of the total resources) and Śląskie Voivodeship (13.4% of the total resources). The prospective and prognostic resources are concentrated mainly within t he area of 4 Vovivodeships: Dolnośląskie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie, which is i n line with the current mining centers of this r aw material from documented deposits. With regard to lithology, the largest resources are formed by the sedimentary rocks (32,867 million tonnes of prospective resources and 5,845 million tonnes of prognostic resources – these are mainly sandstones, limestones and dolomites), then metamorphic rocks (765 million tonnes of prospective resources and 23,905 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly gneisses) and then – igneous rocks (3,289 million tonnes of prospective resources and 3,458 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly granodiorites and granites).

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

* Brzeziński D., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 - ‘Kamienie łamane i bloczne (crushed and dimension stones), kamienie drogowe i budowlane (road and building stones)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 297-304. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2020

General information and occurrence

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in ‘The balance…’ to the dimension and crushed stones (other name: road and building stones) comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in a  domestic economy. The stones meeting the appropriate requirements are used for the production of crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for the building, road and railway construction and stone elements for the road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and the building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Deposits of the igneous and metamorphic rocks occur mainly in t he southern part of Poland – in t he area of the following Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie (basalts, granites, granodiorites, syenites, diabases, gabbros, melaphyres, porphyres, porphyric tuffs, amphibolites, serpentinites, greenstones, gneisses, migmatites, crystalline schists, marbles), Opolskie (basalts, granites, gneisses, marbles) and Małopolskie (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits located in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, sandstones in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, whereas limestones, opokas and marls in t he area of south-eastern Poland Voivodeships (Lubelskie and Podkarpackie).

The location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones as of the end of 2020 amounted to 11,521.44 million tonnes. They decreased by 21.81 million tonnes, that is b y 0.19% in c omparison with the previous year. The number of deposits dropped from 742 to 741 – 5 new deposits were documented, 3 deposits crossed out in 2019 not included in ‘The balance…’, 3 deposits reassigned to the raw materials for cement and lime industries. The most numerous are the sedimentary rocks deposits represented – by 542 deposits accounting for 69.7% of the total deposits number. The number of the documented igneous rocks deposits is e qual 174 (accounting for 22.3% of the total deposits number), whereas the metamorphic rocks deposits amount to 62 (accounting for 8.0% of the total deposits number).

The anticipated economic resources of sedimentary rocks represent 47.8% of the total resources (5,510.41 million tonnes), of igneous rocks 39.6% of the resources (4,564.10 million tonnes) and of metamorphic rocks 12.6% (1,446.93 million tonnes). In comparison with the previous year, the most significant resources growth was recorded for the igneous rocks i.e. by 77.50 million tonnes (it means by 1.73%) – mainly due to the increases within g ranites and porphyres. The resources of the sedimentary and metamorphic rocks decreased by 92.04 million tonnes (1.64%) and by 7.27 million tonnes (0.50%), respectively.

About 53.9% of the anticipated economic resources of the given group of raw materials i.e. 6,213.74 million tonnes include 316 exploited deposits (exploited continuously and temporarily). Within t he group of non-exploited deposits there are 200 deposits covered by the detailed exploration with the resources equal 2,594.09 million tonnes (accounting for 22.5% of the total resources) and 47 deposits covered by the preliminary exploration with the resources equal 1,778.73 million tonnes (accounting for 15.5% of the total resources). The resources of 178 deposits in w hich the exploitation was abandoned amount to 934.87 million tonnes accounting for 8.1% of the total geological resources of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1 shows the current state of the exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

The economic resources amounted to 3,679.11 million tonnes in 2020 increasing by 105.84 million tonnes (3.0%) in c omparison with 2019. These changes resulted from the elaboration of new deposit development plans and supplements to such plans, and also from the exploitation and losses.

The anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones drop was the result of:

• the change of the raw material usage in 3 deposits with total resources equal 127.09 million tonnes: the Devonian limestones, marly limestones and marls deposit Stobiec (92.37 million tonnes), the Jurassic limestones deposit Raciszyn (25.53 million tonnes) and Raciszyn II (9.19 million tonnes) – the resources of these deposits since 2020 are the raw material for the cement and lime industries and are described in a  separate chapter;
• the ongoing exploitation (65.56 million tonnes);
• the changes of documentation boarders together with the resources updating and the resources settlement due to the exploitation end (the total drop by 10.05 million tonnes) – the basalt deposit Księginki-Północ (the drop by 3.66 million tonnes), the Triassic limestones and dolomites deposit Imielin-Rek (the drop by 3.63 million tonnes), the limy dolomite and crystal marble deposit Góra Apla (the drop by 1.65 million tonnes), the Devonian limestones deposit Łagów IV (the drop by 0.89 million tonnes), the Krosno sandstones deposit Miłkowa (the drop by 0.12 million tonnes) and the Devonian limestones deposit Łagów V (the drop by 0.09 million tonnes);
• the updating and recalculation of resources, the better deposits exploration and the settlement of the exploitation losses – the total drop by 3.65 million tonnes;
• the crossing out Żarnów sandstones deposit Pilichowice I (the drop by 0.04 million tonnes).

The anticipated economic resources growth was connected with the documentation of new deposits, the extending of existing deposits borders, the more detailed exploration of the deposits and the reclassification and verification of the resources. The resources increase due to:

• the extension of the deposits areas or the deepening of their range and the updating of the resources amount (the total resources growth by 145.60 million tonnes): the granite deposit Zimnik I (the growth by 27.12 million tonnes), the porphyry deposit Zalas (26.39 million tonnes), the Triassic limestones deposit Szymiszów (20.56 million tonnes), the granite deposit Goczałków (18.26 million tonnes), the basalt deposit Winna Góra (12.28 million tonnes), the granite deposit Strzeblów II (10.66 million tonnes), the dolomite and limy dolomite deposit Komorniki 1 (10.34 million tonnes), the granite deposit Wieśnica (5.69 million tonnes), the basalt deposit Księginki I (3.87 million tonnes), the Krosno sandstones deposit Porąbka (3.82 million tonnes), the Magury sandstones deposit Chomranice (3.07 million tonnes), the basalt deposit Sulików (2.92 million tonnes) and the Devonian limestones deposit Łagów III (0.51 million tonnes);
• the including 5 newly documented deposits into ‘The balance…’ with the total resources equal 47.15 million tonnes – the Devonian limestones deposit Krępa (the growth by 33.72 million tonnes), the Devonian limestones deposit Nowy Staw II (11.34 million tonnes), the limy dolomite and marble deposit Góra Apla 1 (1.47 million tonnes), the Miocene limestones deposit Smerdyna (0.40 million tonnes) and the menilite schists deposit Ulanica-1 (0.23 million tonnes);
• the more detailed exploration, the resources reclassification and recalculation, the current verification and updating of resources at the level of 2.83 million tonnes.

According to the data provided by the concession holders of the exploited deposits, the output of dimension and crushed stones amounted in 2020 to 76.56 million tonnes and decreased in c omparison with 2019 by 2.15 million tonnes (2.73%). In terms of the output volume, the most important are the sedimentary rocks: limestones and dolomites – accounting for 44.48% of the total domestic output, and sandstones – accounting for 11.17% of the total output. Among the igneous rocks the granites, basalts and melaphyres are being exploited in t he greatest amounts – accounting for 13.50%, 8.84% and 5.53% of the total output, respectively. The metamorphic rocks are of the minor importance considering the output of solid rocks (the total share of the domestic output of 9.16%). In comparison with 2019, the output of sedimentary rocks decreased by 0.85% (0.37 million tonnes), whereas that of metamorphic rocks by 7.09% (0.53 million tonnes). The output volume of igneous rocks decreased by 4.50% (1.24 million tonnes) and the drop covered almost all of the lithological types of these rocks (melaphyres, gabbros, basalts, porphyres and diabases).

The rock mining is c oncentrated within t he area of 2 Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie which accounts for 40.8% of the domestic output of the dimension and crushed stones (260 deposits and 51.8% of the domestic resources) and Świętokrzyskie with the share in t he total output of 34.5% (142 deposits and 21.7% of the domestic resources). Then comes Małopolskie Voivodeship accounting for 12.0% of the total output (103 deposits and 11.2% of the domestic resources) and the following Vivodeships: Śląskie (5.0% of the domestic output), Opolskie (4.2%), Podkarpackie (2.8%) and Łódzkie (0.6%). The shares of the remaining Voivodeships do not exceed 0.1%.

Dimension and crushed stones are also obtained during the brown coal exploitation. In 2020 there were 1.99 thousand tonnes of erratic boulders, 3.43 thousand tonnes of quartzites and 769.19 thousand tonnes of limestones exploited in K WB Bełchatów SA mine (the Szczerców field).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2020.

 

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

The resources volumes, the state of deposits development and the output amounts divided into the lithological types of rocks documented as dimension and crushed stones are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones deposits – thousand tonnes

The prospective resources of dimension and crushed stone were assessed to be equal about 36,921 million tonnes, whereas the biggest resources are located in t he area of Małopolskie Voivodeship (53.4% of the total resources), Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (16.4% of the total resources), Śląskie Voivodeship (13.0% of the total resources) and Dolnośląskie Voivodeship (10.7% of the total resources)*. The assessed prognostic resources of dimension and crushed stones amount to about 33,208 million tonnes and their occurrence is c oncentrated in D olnośląskie Voivodeship (82.3% of the total resources) and Śląskie Voivodeship (13.4% of the total resources). The prospective and prognostic resources are concentrated mainly within t he area of 4 Vovivodeships: Dolnośląskie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie, which is i n line with the current mining centers of this r aw material from documented deposits. With regard to lithology, the largest resources are formed by the sedimentary rocks (32,867 million tonnes of prospective resources and 5,845 million tonnes of prognostic resources – these are mainly sandstones, limestones and dolomites), then metamorphic rocks (765 million tonnes of prospective resources and 23,905 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly gneisses) and then – igneous rocks (3,289 million tonnes of prospective resources and 3,458 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly granodiorites and granites).

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

* Brzeziński D., Miśkiewicz W., 2020 - ‘Kamienie łamane i bloczne (crushed and dimension stones), kamienie drogowe i budowlane (road and building stones)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 297-304. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2019

General information and occurrence

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in ‘The balance…’ to the dimension and crushed stones (other name: road and building stones) comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in a  domestic economy. The stones meeting the appropriate requirements are used for the production of crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for the building, road and railway construction and stone elements for the road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and the building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Deposits of the igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he southern part of Poland – in t he area of the following Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie (basalts, granites, granodiorites, syenites, diabases, gabbros, melaphyres, porphyres, porphyric tuffs, amphibolites, serpentinites, greenstones, gneisses, migmatites, crystalline schists, marbles), Opolskie (basalts, granites, gneisses, marbles) and Małopolskie (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits located in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, sandstones in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, whereas limestones, opokas and marls in t he area of south-eastern Poland Voivodeships (Lubelskie and Podkarpackie).

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones as of the end of 2019 amounted to 11,543.25 million tonnes. They increased by 135.95 million tonnes, that is b y 1.19% in c omparison with the previous year. The number of deposits increased from 738 to 742, wherein 7 new deposits were newly documented and 3 deposits were crossed out from ‘The balance…’ in 2019. The most numerous are the sedimentary rocks deposits represented – by 543 deposits (accounting for 69.8% of the total deposits number). The number of the igneous rocks deposits is e qual 174 (accounting for 22.4% of the total deposits number), whereas the metamorphic rocks deposits amount to 61 (accounting for 7.8% of the total deposits number).

The location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

The anticipated economic resources of sedimentary rocks represent 48.5% of the total resources (5,602.46 million tonnes), of igneous rocks 38.9% of the resources (4,486.60 million tonnes) and of metamorphic rocks 12.6% (1,454.19 million tonnes). The most significant resources growth was recorded for the igneous rocks i.e. by 72.84 million tonnes (1.65%) and sedimentary rocks i.e. by 70.77 million tonnes (1.28%), mainly due to the increases within g abbros, melaphyres, sandstones, limestones and dolomites resources. The resources of the metamorphic rocks decreased by 7.67 million tonnes (0.52%).

About 53.5% of the anticipated economic resources of the given group of raw materials i.e. 6,176.67 million tonnes include 316 exploited deposits (exploited continuously and temporarily). Within t he group of non-exploited deposits there are 200 deposits covered by the detailed exploration with the resources equal 2,676.58 million tonnes (accounting for 23.2% of the total resources) and 47 deposits covered by the preliminary exploration with the resources equal 1,778.73 million tonnes (accounting for 15.4% of the total resources). The resources of 179 deposits in w hich the exploitation was abandoned amount to 911.27 million tonnes accounting for 7.9% of the total geological resources of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1 shows the current state of the exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

The economic resources amounted to 3,573.27 million tonnes in 2019 decreasing by 57.80 million tonnes (1.6%) in c omparison with 2018.

The anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones growth was the result of the documentation of new deposits, the extending of existing deposits borders, the more detailed exploration of the deposits and the reclassification and verification of the resources.

The resources increase was the result of:

• the extension of the deposits areas or the deepening of their range and the updating of the resources amount (the total resources growth by 76.98 million tonnes): the Devonian limestones and dolomites deposit Jaźwica (32.26 million tonnes), the Cergow sandstones deposit Klęczany (28.98 million tonnes), the Oxfordian chalcedonites deposit Teofilów (6.77 million tonnes), the Devonian limestones deposit Kostomłoty (4.65 million tonnes), the Jurassic limestones deposit Gumienice II (2.12 million tonnes), the Krosno sandstones deposit Wysoczany II (1.30 million tonnes), the crystalline marble deposit Sławniowice (0.40 million tonnes), the Krosno sandstones deposit Skorodne (0.24 million tonnes), the Podmagurskie sandstones deposit Męcina (0.23 million tonnes) and the menilitic schist deposit Ulanica-Wólka (0.04 million tonnes);
• the including 7 newly documented deposits into ‘The balance…’ with the total resources equal 148.73 million tonnes – the gabbro deposit Kunów (51.94 million tonnes), the melaphyre deposit Tłumaczów-Gajów (47.46 million tonnes), the Devonian dolomites and limestones deposit Komorniki 2 (19.61 million tonnes), the Triassic diploporitic dolomites deposit Mysłowice-Południe (13.07 million tonnes), the Oxfordian limestones (so-called ‘Kielce’ marbles) deposit Wola Morawicka 1 (8.85 million tonnes), the Upper Cretaceous calcareous opokas deposit Jacków (7.62 million tonnes) and the Jurasic sandstones deposit Masłowice IX (0.18 million tonnes);
• the more detailed exploration, the resources reclassification and recalculation, the current verification and updating of resources at the level of 5.45 million tonnes.

The resources decreased due to:

• the output of the dimension and crushed stones equal 78.71 million tonnes;
• the crossing out from the domestic balance 3 deposits with the total resources equal 0.44 million tonnes: the menilitic schists deposit Lecka (the drop by 0.29 million tonnes), the Żarnów sandstones deposit Tresta Wesoła (the drop by 0.10 million tonnes) and the Lower Jurasic sandstones deposit Masłowice-pole B (the drop by 0.05 million tonnes);
• the changes of documentation borders together with the resources updating and the resources settlement due to the exploitation end (the total drop by 12.15 million tonnes) – the Oxfordian limestones deposit Wola Morawicka (the drop by 8.75 million tonnes), the Triassic diploporicitc dolomites deposit Imielin-Północ (the drop by 2.72 million tonnes), the Jurassic limestones deposit Gołuchów (the drop by 0.52 million tonnes), the calcerous dolomites deposit Sławniowice (the drop by 0.11 million tonnes) and the sandstones deposits Szydłówek-Laskowski, Szydłówek Saspol I, Szydłówek-Skopek I and Wola Komborska 1 (the total drop by 0.04 million tonnes);
• the updating and recalculation of resources, the better deposits exploration and the settlement of the exploitation losses – the total drop by 3.92 million tonnes.

According to the data provided by the concession holders of the exploited deposits, the output of dimension and crushed stones amounted in 2019 to 78.71 million tonnes and decreased in c omparison with 2018 by 2.54 million tonnes (3.13%). In terms of the output volume, the most important are the sedimentary rocks: limestones and dolomites – accounting for 43.48% of the total domestic output, and sandstones – accounting for 11.14% of the total output. Among the igneous rocks the granites and basalts are being exploited in t he greatest amounts – accounting for 12.86% of and 9.20% the total output, respectively. The metamorphic rocks are of the minor importance considering the output of solid rocks (the total share of the domestic output of 9.59%). In comparison with 2018, the output of sedimentary rocks increased by 1.28% (0.78 million tonnes), whereas that of metamorphic rocks by 1.73% (0.13 million tonnes). The output volume of igneous rocks decreased by 11.11% (3.45 million tonnes) and the drop covered almost all of the lithological types of these rocks (especially basalts, porphyres and gabbros).

The rock mining is c oncentrated within t he area of 2 Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie which accounts for 41.7% of the domestic output of the dimension and crushed stones (260 deposits and 51.3% of the domestic resources) and Świętokrzyskie with the share in t he total output of 33.3% (140 deposits and 22.2% of the domestic resources). Then comes Małopolskie Voivodeship accounting for 11.7% of the total output (103 deposits and 11.0% of the domestic resources) and the following Vivodeships: Śląskie (4.3% of the domestic output), Opolskie (4.1%), Podkarpackie (3.1%) and Łódzkie (1.7%). The shares of the remaining Voivodeships do not exceed 0.05%.

Dimension and crushed stones are also obtained during the brown coal exploitation. In 2019 there were 1.42 thousand tonnes of erratic boulders, 5.88 thousand tonnes of quartzites and 571.69 thousand tonnes of limestones exploited in K WB Bełchatów SA mine (the Szczerców field).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2019.

 

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

The resources volumes, the state of deposits development and the output amounts divided into the lithological types of rocks documented as dimension and crushed stones are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

The prospective resources of dimension and crushed stone were assessed to be equal about 36,921 million tonnes, whereas the biggest resources are located in t he area of Małopolskie Voivodeship (53.4% of the total resources), Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (16.4% of the total resources), Śląskie Voivodeship (13.0% of the total resources) and Dolnośląskie Voivodeship (10.7% of the total resources)*. The assessed prognostic resources of dimension and crushed stones amount to about 33,208 million tonnes and their occurrence is c oncentrated in D olnośląskie Voivodeship (82.3% of the total resources) and Śląskie Voivodeship (13.4% of the total resources). The prospective and prognostic resources are concentrated mainly within t he area of 4 Vovivodeships: Dolnośląskie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie, which is i n line with the current mining centers of this r aw material from documented deposits. With regard to lithology, the largest resources are formed by the sedimentary rocks (32,867 million tonnes of prospective resources and 5,845 million tonnes of prognostic resources – these are mainly sandstones, limestones and dolomites), then metamorphic rocks (765 million tonnes of prospective resources and 23,905 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly gneisses) and then – igneous rocks (3,289 million tonnes of prospective resources and 3,458 million tonnes of prognostic resources – mainly granodiorites and granites).

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

2018

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in ‘The balance…’ to the dimension and crushed stones (other name: road and building stones) comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in a  domestic economy. The stones meeting the appropriate requirements are used for the production of crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for the building, road and railway construction and stone elements for the road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and the building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Deposits of the igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he southern part of Poland – in t he area of the following Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie (basalts, granites, granodiorites, syenites, diabases, gabbros, melaphyres, porphyres, porphyric tuffs, amphibolites, serpentinites, greenstones, gneisses, migmatites, crystalline schists, marbles), Opolskie (basalts, granites, gneisses, mrbles) and Małopolskie (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits located in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, sandstones in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, whereas limestones, opokas and marls in t he area of south-eastern Poland Voivodeships (Lubelskie and Podkarpackie).

Anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones as of the end of 2018 amounted to 11,407.30 million tonnes. They increased by 243.46 million tonnes (2.18%) in c omparison with the previous year. The number of deposits increased from 736 to 738, wherein 5 new deposits were newly documented and 3 deposits were crossed out from ‘The balance…’ in 2017. The most numerous are the sedimentary rocks deposits represented – by 540 deposits (accounting for 69.9% of the total deposits number). The number of the igneous rocks deposits is e qual 172 (accounting for 22.3% of the total deposits number), whereas the metamorphic rocks deposits amount to 61 (accounting for 7.9% of the total deposits number).

The location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

The anticipated economic resources of sedimentary rocks represent 48.5% of the total resources (5,531.68 million tonnes), of igneous rocks 38.7% of the resources (4,413.76 million tonnes) and of metamorphic rocks 12.8% (1,461.86 million tonnes). The most significant resources growth was recorded for the sedimentary rocks i.e. by 272.96 million tonnes (5.19%), mainly due to the increases within l imestones, dolomites and sandstones deposits. The resources of the metamorphic and igneous rocks increased by 22.68 million tonnes (1.53%) and 6.82 million tonnes (6.82%), respectively.

About 52.4% of anticipated economic resources of the given group of raw materials i.e. 6,184.18 million tonnes include 326 exploited deposits (exploited continuously and temporarily). Within t he group of non-exploited deposits there are 200 deposits covered by the detailed exploration with the resources equal 2,564.01 million tonnes (accounting for 22.5% of the total resources) and 47 deposits covered by the preliminary exploration with the resources equal 1,778.73 million tonnes (accounting for 15.6% of the total resources). The resources of 165 deposits in w hich the exploitation was abandoned amount to 880.39 million tonnes accounting for 7.7% of the total geological resources of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1 shows the current state of the exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Economic resources amounted to 3,631.07 million tonnes in 2018 increasing by 117.23 million tonnes (3.3%) in c omparison with 2017.

The anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones growth was the result of the documentation of new deposits, the extending of existing deposits borders, the more detailed exploration of the deposits and the reclassification and verification of the resources.

The resources increase was the result of:

• the extension of the deposits borders or the deepening of their range (the total resources growth by 314.83 million tonnes): the limestone deposit Szymiszów (109.08 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Lipowica II-1 (95.27 million tonnes), the dolomite deposit Żelatowa (17.34 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Braciszów (14.42 million tonnes), the dolomite Laskowa Góra (14.18 million tonnes), the granite deposit Żółkiewka IV (12.82 million tonnes), the dolomite deposit Wszachów I (9.58 million tonnes), the limestone deposit Łagów V (7.78 million tonnes), the gabbros deposit Słupiec-Dębówka (7.63 million tonnes), the limestone and dolomite deposit Nowy Staw (4.89 million tonnes), the dolomite deposit Skała I (3.78 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Skorodne (2.87 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Górka-Mucharz (2.68 million tonnes), the quartzitic sandstone deposit Dziewiątle (1.71 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Barcice 2 (1.17 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Porąbka (0.83 million tonnes), the diabase deposit Niedźwiedzia Góra (0.74 million tonnes), the basalt deposit Góra Trupień (0.43 million tonnes), the limestone deposit Bolechowice (0.32 million tonnes) and the sandstone deposit Śmiłów 5 (0.07 million tonnes);
• the including 5 newly documented deposits into ‘The balance…’ with the total resources equal 36.79 million tonnes – the limestones deposits: Wola Morawicka Południe (34.20 million tonnes), Sławno I (0.50 million tonnes), Trakt Kamioński III (0.39 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Poznachowice Górne (1.29 million tonnes) and the menilitic schist deposit Siedliska-Grzebyk 2 (0.40 million tonnes);
• the more detailed exploration, the resources reclassification and recalculation, the current verification and updating of resources at the level of 11.24 million tonnes.

The resources decreased due to:

• the output of the dimension and crushed stones equal 81.25 million tonnes;
• the crossing out from the domestic balance 3 deposits with the total resources equal 19.83 million tonnes: the dolomite deposit Radkowice-Podwole (the resources drop by 19.80 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Sielec IV (the drop by 0.02 million tonnes) and the opokas deposit Klimusin (the drop by 0.01 million tonnes);
• the changes of documentation borders together with the resources updating and the resources settlement due to the exploitation end (the total drop by 13.79 million tonnes) – the gneiss deposit Ogorzelec (the drop by 7.17 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Barcice (the drop by 4.90 million tonnes), the sandstone deposit Klęczany (the drop by 0.48 million tonnes), the granite deposit Gołaszyce (the drop by 0.44 million tonnes), the amphibolite deposit Ogorzelec (the drop by 0.29 million tonnes), the amphibolite deposit Ogorzelec I (the drop by 0.24 million tonnes), the granite and gneiss deposit Kamienna Góra (the drop by 0.21 million tonnes) and the limestone deposit Skrzelczyce 1 (the drop by 0.08 million tonnes);
• the updating and recalculation of resources, the better deposits exploration and the settlement of the exploitation losses – the total drop by 4.52 million tonnes.

According to the data provided by the concession holders of the exploited deposits, the output of dimension and crushed stones amounted in 2018 to 81.25 million tonnes and increased in c omparison with 2017 by 10.46 million tonnes (14.78%). In terms of the output volume, the most important are the sedimentary rocks: limestones and dolomites – accounting for 41.68% of the total domestic output, and sandstones – accounting for 10.42% of the total output. Among the igneous rocks the granites and basalts are being exploited in t he greatest amounts – accounting for 24.45% of the total output. The metamorphic rocks are of the minor importance considering the output of solid rocks (the total share of the domestic output of 9.13%). Nevertheless, the metamorphic rocks exploitation has been increasing progressively for the last couple of years. In comparison with 2017 the sedimentary rocks output increased by 12.97% (4.91 million tonnes), whereas for the igneous rocks by 12.58% (3.47 million tonnes). For the metamorphic rocks the volume grew significantly by 39.00% (2.08 million tonnes) mainly due to the growing output of migmatites, amphibolites and gneisses. Among all of the dimension and crushed stones, the most visible output increases were recorded for the limestone (by 2.21 million tonnes), the dolomite (by 1.98 million tonnes), the basalt (by 1.43 million tonnes), the migmatite (by 0.88 million tonnes), the melaphire (by 0.86 million tonnes), the granite (by 0.75 million tonnes), the amphibolite (by 0.66 million tonnes) and the sandstone (by 0.64 million tonnes). The significant output drop was noted for the syenite (by 0.14 million tonnes) and the granodiorite (by 0.13 million tonnes).

The rock mining is c oncentrated within t he area of two Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie which accounts for 44.0% of the domestic output of the dimension and crushed stones (258 deposits and 51.3% of the domestic resources) and Świętokrzyskie with the share in t he total output of 32.7% (139 deposits and 22.1% of the domestic resources). Then comes Małopolskie Voivodeship accounting for 10.4% of the total output (103 deposits and 10.9% of the resources) and the following Vivodeships: Śląskie (4.2% of the domestic output), Opolskie (4.0%), Podkarpackie (3.0%), Łódzkie (1.6%). The shares of the remaining Voivodeships do not exceed 0.1%.

Dimension and crushed stones are also obtained during the brown coal exploitation. In 2018 there were 2.97 thousand tonnes of erratic boulders, 5.33 thousand tonnes of quartzites and 113.65 thousand tonnes of limestones exploited in K WB Bełchatów SA mine (the Szczerców field).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2018.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

The resources volumes, the state of deposits development and the output amounts divided into the lithological types of rocks documented as dimension and crushed stones are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

2017

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in ‘The balance…’ to the dimension and crushed stones comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in a  domestic economy. The stones are used for the production of crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for the building, road and railway construction and stone elements for the road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and the building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Sedimentary rocks represent 47.1% of anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones (5,258.73 million tonnes), igneous rocks 39.6% of the resources (4,420.57 million tonnes) and metamorphic rocks 13.3% (1,484.54 million tonnes). The share of sedimentary rocks has increased the most significantly – by 192.17 million tonnes (3.79%) in c omparison with the previous year mainly due to the growth of limestones, dolomites and sandstones deposits resources (by 123.32 million tonnes). The resources of igneous rocks increased by 44.17 million tonnes (1.01%). The resources of metamorphic rocks slightly grew (by 0.49%), mainly due to the extension of the serpentinites Nasławice deposit borders (the resources increased by 12.64 million tonnes).

Igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in s outhern Poland – in t he area of Dolnośląskie Voivodeship (basalts, granites, granodiorites, syenites, diabases, gabbros, melaphyres, porphyres, porphyric tuffs, amphibolites, serpentinites, greenstones, gneisses, migmatites, crystalline schists and marbles) and Małopolskie Voivodeship (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks matching requirements for that use are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits located in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, sandstones in t he area of Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships, whereas limestones, opokas and marls in t he area of south-eastern Poland voivodeships (Lubelskie and Podkarpackie).

The location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

Anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones amounted to 11,163.84 million tonnes and increased by 243.66 million tonnes (2.23%) in c omparison with the previous year. The number of deposits increased from 731 to 736, wherein 12 new deposits were documented and 6 deposits crossed out from ‘The balance…’ in 2016. It was the first year since 2008 with the reversing the slowing down tendency of the deposit number increase. Sedimentary rocks deposits amounted to 536 (which accounts for 69.7% of total number of deposits), igneous rocks deposits to 172 (22.4%) and metamorphic rocks deposits to 61 (7.9%).

About 52.4% of anticipated economic resources (5,851.54 million tonnes) are within 327 exploited deposits (exploited and exploited temporarily). There are also 205 non-exploited deposits covered by a detailed exploration (A, B, C₁ categories) with resources equal 2,675.12 million tonnes (24.0% of total resources) and 47 non-exploited deposits covered by a preliminary exploration (C₂, D categories) with resources equal 1,778.73 million tonnes (15.9% of total resources). Resources of 157 abandoned deposits account for 7.7% of total anticipated economic resources and are equal 858.45 million tonnes.

Table 1 shows the current state of the exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Economic resources amounted to 3,513.84 million tonnes in 2017 increasing by 62.55 million tonnes (1.8%) in c omparison with 2016.

Anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones grew in 2017 due to the documentation of new deposits, the extending of existing deposits borders, the more detailed exploration, the reclassification and the resources verification.

The resources increase was due to:

• the extension of selected deposits borders (resources increased by 216.55 million tonnes): limestone deposit – Szymiszów (49.16 million tonnes), dolomite deposit – Podleśna (36.65 million tonnes), granite deposit – Gniewków I (36.02 million tonnes), granite deposit – Siedlimowice I (32.90 million tonnes), quartzitic sandstone deposit – Wiśniówka (15.30 million tonnes), serpentinite deposit – Nasławice (12.64 million tonnes), dolomitic limestone deposit – Imielin-Rek (10.11 million tonnes), melaphyre deposit – Grzędy (6.18 million tonnes), limestone deposit – Łagów II (5.41 million tonnes), syenite deposit – Kośmin (4.50 million tonnes), limestone deposits – Łagów V (4.44 million tonnes), limestone deposit – Sławno (1.39 million tonnes), limestone and dolomite deposit – Imielin (1.32 million tonnes) and 5 deposits with total resources growth equal 0.52 million tonnes (Parszów, Skrzydlna, Skrzydlna 1, Szydłowiec, Żyglin-4);
• the documentation of 11 new deposits with total resources equal 204.68 million tonnes – limestone deposits: Morawica III-1 (101.66 million tonnes), Stawiany (0.28 million tonnes); sandstone deposits: Szufnarowa (30.45 million tonnes), Iwla-1 (7.38 million tonnes), Filip 2 (6.88 million tonnes), Masłowice VIII (0.08 million tonnes), Trzemoszna (0.05 million tonnes); dolomite deposit Nowy Staw I (22.81 million tonnes), Wszachów III (22.27 million tonnes); granite deposit Pokutnik 1 (10.85 million tonnes) and dolomite and marble deposit Góra Apla (1.96 million tonnes);
• the better exploration, reclassification and verification of resources, the current verification and updating of resources at the level of 2.61 million tonnes.

The resources decreased due to:

• the changes of deposits borders with resources updating (total 76.74 million tonnes) – limestone deposit Morawica III (drop by 48.94 million tonnes), granite deposit Pokutnik (drop by 12.33 million tonnes), dolomite deposit Wszachów (drop by 8.25 million tonnes), basalt deposit Księgniki-Północ (drop by 5.55 million tonnes), granite deposit Czernica-Wieś (drop by 1.17 million tonnes), limestone deposit Górki Szczukowskie (drop by 0.42 million tonnes) and sandstone deposit Szydłówek (drop by 0.10 million tonnes);
• the output equal 70.79 million tonnes of dimension and crushed stones;
• the crossing 3 deposits out from ‘The balance…’ (with total resources equal 27.92 million tonnes): limestone deposit Czatkowice (drop by 27.87 million tonnes of dimension and crushed limestones; in t he deposit there are limestones for lime industry left), dolomite deposit Lipie (drop by 0.15 million tonnes) and sandstone deposit Pilichowice IV (drop by 0.04 million tonnes);
• the updating and verification of resources and losses – the total drop equal 4.72 million tonnes.

According to data provided by the operators of exploited deposits, the output of dimension and crushed stones amounted in 2017 to 70.79 million tonnes and increased in c omparison with 2016 by 11.25 million tonnes (18.88%). The most important, in t erms of the output volume, are sedimentary rocks – limestones and dolomites (accounting for 42.32% of the total output) and sandstones (10.74%). Among the igneous rocks, the highest output is r ecorded for granite and basalt (24.97% of the total output). Metamorphic rocks have always been of the least importance (7.54% in 2017), however they have become more substantial lately. The output of sedimentary rocks increased by 18.35% (5.87 million tonnes) and igneous rocks by 19.89% (5.58 million tonnes). The exploitation of metamorphic rocks grew by 17.57% (0.80 million tonnes), mainly due to the increased output of migmatite and amphibolite. From all types of dimension and crushed stones, the most significant output growth was recorded for limestone (by 2.12 million tonnes), dolomite (by 1.67 million tonnes), melaphyre (by 1.46 million tonnes) and basalt (by 1.34 million tonnes).

The rock mining is c oncentrated within t he area of two Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie and Świętokrzyskie with the share in P olish output of dimension and crushed stones of 43.5% (within 257 deposits and 52.6% of domestic resources) and 34.1% (within 138 deposits and 22.4% of domestic resources), respectively. Małopolskie Voivodeship accounts for 10.4% of the domestic production (104 deposits and 11.1% of the domestic resources).

Dimension and crushed stones are obtained also during the brown coal exploitation. In 2017 there were 1.93 thousand tonnes of erratic boulders, 12.12 thousand tonnes of quartzites and 4.96 thousand tonnes of limestones extracted from Bełchatów and Szczerców fields (KWB Bełchatów SA mine).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2017.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

2016

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in "The balance..." to the dimension and crushed stones comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in a  domestic economy. The stones are used for production of crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for building, road and railway construction and stone elements for road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Sedimentary rocks represent 46.4% of anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones (5,066.55 million tonnes), igneous rocks 40.1% of the resources (4,376.40 million tonnes) and metamorphic rocks 13.5% (1,477.23` million tonnes). The share of igneous rocks has increased significantly – by 1.9% in c omparison with the previous year mainly due to the growth of granites (by 96.71 million tonnes – 5.8%). The resources of sedimentary rocks increased by 0.7% – mainly resources of limestones and dolomites (they rose by 48.18 million tonnes – 1.6%), whereas the resources of metamorphic rocks dropped by 1.38 million tonnes (0.1%).

Igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he Lower Silesian region where they are represented by i.a.: basalts, granites, granodiorites, gabbros, syenites, diabases, melaphyres, porphyres, amphibolites, gneisses, migmatites, serpentinites and marbles and form a few deposits in M ałopolskie Voivodeship (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks matching requirements for that use are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits in t he Holy Cross Mts. and the Silesian-Cracow region and sandstone deposits were documented in t he Carpathian region, Holy Cross Mts. and Lower Silesia. In turn, deposits of limestones, opokas and marls were documented in t he Lublin U pland.

Location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

Anticipated economic resources amounted to 10,920.18 million tonnes and increased by 119.20 million tonnes (1.10%) in c omparison with the previous year. The number of deposits decreased from 746 to 731 where 7 new deposits were documented and 22 deposits crossed out from "The balance…". Since 2008 the deposit number increase has been slowing down – from +5.8% in t he years 2007 and 2008 through −0.5% in 2015, finally to −2.0% in 2016. Sedimentary rocks deposits amounted to 529 (which accounts for 69.5% of total number of deposits), igneous rocks deposits to 172 (22.6%) and metamorphic rocks deposits to 60 (7.9%).

About 51.7% of resources (5,647.51 million tonnes) are within 330 exploited deposits (exploited and exploited temporarily). There are also 199 non-exploited deposits covered by detailed exploration (A, B, C₁ categories) with resources equal 2,584.38 million tonnes (23.7% of total resources) and 47 non-exploited deposits covered by preliminary exploration (C₂, D categories) with resources equal 1,786.98 million tonnes (16.4% of total resources). Resources of 155 abandoned deposits account for 8.3% of total resources and are equal 901.31 million tonnes.

Table 1 shows the current state of exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Economic resources amounted to 3,451.29 million tonnes in 2016 increasing by 69.20 million tonnes (2.0%) in c omparison with 2015.

Anticipated economic reasources of dimension and crushed stones grew in 2016 due to the documentation of 7 new deposits, broadening of existing deposits borders, more detailed exploration, reclassification and resources verification.

The resources increase was due to:

• the extension of selected deposits boundaries (resources increased by 216.34 million tonnes): granite deposit – Gola Świdnicka (81.53 million tonnes), dolomite deposit – Kowala Mała (52.28 million tonnes), limestones and dolomites deposit – Józefka (19.97 million tonnes), limestones deposit – Raciszyn (19.65 million tonnes), granite deposit – Borów (14.23 million tonnes), sandstones deposit – Klęczany (10.79 million tonnes), granite deposit – Strzeblów I (5.74 million tonnes), limestones deposit – Wola Morawicka (4.13 million tonnes), granite deposit – Kostrza (3.33 million tonnes), gneiss and amphibolite deposit – Ogorzelec (3.16 million tonnes), and two deposits with total resources growth equal 1.54 million tonnes (Czernica-Wieś and Rozbark);
• the documentation of 7 new deposits with total resources equal 3.80 million tonnes – sandstone deposits: Palcza III (1.76 million tonnes), Masłowice-pole B (0.08 million tonnes), Szydłówek-Saspol I (0.02 million tonnes); limestones deposits: Gołuchów 1 (1.11 million tonnes), Józefów I (0.11 million tonnes); menilite schists deposit Ulanica-Wólka (0.26 million tonnes) and erratic boulder deposit Chrostkowo Nowe (0.46 million tonnes);
• the better exploration, reclassification and verification of resources, current verification and updating of resources at the level of 3.86 million tonnes.

Resources decreased due to:

• the output (−59.55 million tonnes);
• the crossing 6 deposits out from "The balance…" (−21.26 million tonnes): dolomite deposit Brzeziny (−11.95 million tonnes) – the exploitation can not be taken due to the environmental and planning issues and accumulation of water; dolomites deposit Żelazno II (−7.94 million tonnes) – resources cancellation due to the lack of possibilities of exploitation concession change after the deposit allocation from Żelazno I deposit; four deposits with resources equal 1.37 million tonnes (Miękinia Wschód, Szczukowskie Górki I, Włochy, Wola Komborska-Działy P. II);
• the updating and verification of resources and losses (−4.72 million tonnes);
• the verification of exploitation losses (−7.75 million tonnes);
• the changes of deposits boundaries with resources updating (−11.53 million tonnes) for sandstones deposits Wierchomla (−9.22 million tonnes) and Komańcza-Jawornik (−2.31 million tonnes).

According to data provided by operators of exploited deposits, production of dimension and crushed stones in 2016 amounted to 59.55 million tonnes and decreased in c omparison with 2015 by 4.63 million tonnes (7.22%).

The most important, in t erms of the output, are sedimentary rocks – limestones and dolomites (accounting for 41.97% of the total output) and sandstones (10.61%). Out of the igneous rocks the highest output is r ecorded for granite and basalt (26.99% of the total output). Metamorphic rocks have always been of the least importance, however they have become more substantial lately (especially by migmatite, amphibolite, gneiss and serpentinite). The output of sedimentary rocks decreased by 7.38% (2.55 million tonnes) and metamorphic rocks by 8.29% (2.08 million tonnes). The most significant growth was recorded for sandstones (by 14%), limestones and dolomites (5%) and melaphires (30%), porphires (24%), gabbro and basalts (15% and 5%, respectively). The exploitation of metamorphic rocks remained at the similar level as in 2015.

The rock mining is c oncentrated within t he area of two voivodeships: Dolnośląskie and Świętokrzyskie with the share in P olish output of dimension and crushed stones of 43.1% (within 256 deposits and 53.2% of domestic resources) and 35.7% (within 136 deposits and 22.0% of domestic resources), respectively. Małopolskie Voivodeship accounts for 10.3% of domestic production (105 deposits and 11.6% of domestic resources).

Dimension and crushed stones are exploited also during the brown coal exploitation. In 2016 there were 2.53 thousand tonnes of erratic boulders, 25.89 thousand tonnes of quartzites and 82.29 thousand tonnes of limestones extracted from Bełchatów and Szczerców fields (KWB Bełchatów SA mine). In the Adamów mine (owned by PAK Koplania Węgla Brunatnego Adamów SA) the exploitation of granitic erratic boulders was equal 0.03 thousand tonnes.

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2016.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

2015

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in "The balance..." to the dimension and crushed stones comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in d omestic economy. The stones are used to produce crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for building, road and railway construction and stone elements for road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Sedimentary rocks represent 46.6% of anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones (5,029.00 million tonnes), igneous rocks 39.7% of the resources (4,293.37 million tonnes) and metamorphic rocks 13.7% (1,478.61 million tonnes). The share of sedimentary rocks is s ystematically getting higher – increased by 0.84% in c omparison with the previous year mainly due to the growth of limestones and dolomites resources (by 13.5%). The resources of metamorphic rocks increased significantly – by 1.61% (mainly resources of gneiss – they rose by 5.9%), whereas the resources of igneous rocks dropped by 0.08%.

Igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he Lower Silesian region where they are represented by i.a.: basalts, granites, granodiorites, gabbros, syenites, diabases, melaphyres, porphyres, amphibolites, gneisses, migmatites, serpentinites and marbles and form a few deposits in t he Małopolskie Voivodeship (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks matching requirements for that use are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits in t he Holy Cross Mts and the Silesian-Cracow region and sandstone deposits were documented in t he Carpathian region and Holy Cross Mts and Lower Silesia. In turn, deposits of limestones, opokas and marls were documented in t he Lublin U pland.

Location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

Anticipated economic resources amounted to 10,800.98 million tonnes and increased by 61.84 million tonnes (0.58%) in c omparison with the previous year. This growth was smaller than in t he year before. The number of deposits decreased from 750 to 746 where 10 new deposits were documented and 14 deposits crossed out from ‘The balance…’. Since 2008 the deposit number increase has been slowing down – from +5.8% in t he years 2007 and 2008 to +0.4% in 2014 and −0.5% in 2015. Sedimentary rocks deposits amounted to 533 (which accounts for 68.6% of total number of deposits), igneous rocks deposits to 180 (23.2%) and metamorphic rocks deposits to 64 (8.2%).

About 51.2% of resources (5,526.97 million tonnes) are within 331 exploited deposits. There are also 199 non-exploited deposits covered by detailed exploration (A, B, C₁ categories) with resources equal 2,619.18 million tonnes (24.2% of total resources) and 47 non-exploited deposits covered by preliminary exploration (C₂, D categories) with resources equal 1,786.98 million tonnes (16.5% of total resources). Resources of 169 abandoned deposits account for 8.0% of total resources and are equal 867.85 million tonnes.

Table 1 shows the current state of exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Economic resources amounted to 3,382.09 million tonnes in 2015 decreasing by 262.38 million tonnes (−7.2%) in c omparison with 2014.

Anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stone grew in 2015 due to the documentation of 10 new deposits, broadening of existing deposits borders, more detailed exploration, reclassification and resources verification.

The resources increase was due to:

• extension of selected deposits boundaries (resources increased by 203.18 million tonnes): limestones and dolomites deposits – Janczyce 1 (67.93 million tonnes) and Budy (33.77 million tonnes), gneiss deposit Pomianów (28.09 million tonnes), syenites deposit Kośmin (24.72 million tonnes), dolomite deposit Stare Gliny (21.09 million tonnes), granodiorite deposit Łażany II (10.64 million tonnes), granite deposit Graniczna II (4.56 million tonnes), sandstone deposit Braciszów (3.37 million tonnes), limestone deposit Raciszyn II (2.23 million tonnes), greystone deposit Dębowiec (2.10 million tonnes), dolomite deposit Wszachów II (2.09 million tonnes) and 5 other deposits with resources equal 2.59 million tonnes (Barcice I, Dąbrowa, Skała I, Tenczyn-Lubień, Trakt Kamioński);
• documentation of 10 new deposits with total resources equal 24.29 million tonnes: sandstone deposits – Komańcza 1 (9.36 million tonnes), Bieganów II (1.03 million tonnes), Czaple IV (0.75 million tonnes), Skorzynice-Wioleta (0.52 million tonnes) and Wyżne-Podwiszówka (0.17 million tonnes); quartzite deposit Wojtkowa Góra II (2.01 million tonnes); dolomite deposits – Imielin (7.20 million tonnes) and Rozbark (1.45 million tonnes); limestone deposits – Karsy 1 I (1.42 million tonnes) and Trakt Kamioński II (0.38 million tonnes);
• better exploration, reclassification and verification of resources (8.61 million tonnes).

Resources decreased due to:

• the output (−64.18 million tonnes);
• crossing 18 deposits out from ‘The balance…’ (−26.84 million tonnes): granodiorite and hornfels deposit Łażany (−12.54 million tonnes), limestone and dolomite deposit Suków-Borki (−7.78 million tonnes), melaphire deposit Kamienna Góra (−1.52 million tonnes), porphyre deposit Lubawka (−1.30 million tonnes) and 14 other deposits with resources equal 3.70 million tonnes (Annopol, Barcice 3, Czarne, Futoma, Goworów, Gozdanin, Kłopotno, Lubiechowa I, Parszów I, Podgórze, Przeworno, Przeździedza, Uniegoszcz, Wola Kamborska-Działy);
• updating and verification of resources and losses (−2.05 million tonnes);
• changes of deposits boundaries (−73.86 million tonnes): limestone and dolomite deposit Janczyce (−69.69 million tonnes), limestone deposit Łagów-Zagościniec (−1.46 million tonnes), sandstone deposit Czaple (−1.30 million tonnes), basalt deposit Ligota Tułowicka (−1.25 million tonnes) and sandstone deposits Walowa Góra and Męcina (−0.16 million tonnes);
• reclassification of resources (−7.29 million tonnes).

According to data provided by operators of exploited deposits, production of dimension and crushed stones in 2015 amounted to 64.18 million tonnes and slightly increased in c omparison with 2014 – by 95 thousand tonnes (0.15%). It was the level reached in 2010.

The most important are sedimentary rocks – limestones, dolomites and sandstones. Speaking about igneous rocks, the highest output is r ecorded for granite, basalt and melaphyre. Metamorphic rocks are of the least importance, however they have become more substantial lately (especially by migmatite, amphibolite, gneiss and serpentinite). The exploitation of sedimentary rocks increased by 3.18% (1.07 million tonnes), metamorphic rocks by 2.92% (0.13 million tonnes). The most significant growth was recorded for sandstones (by 6%), limestones and dolomites (by 4%) and amphibolites and serpentinite (by 40% and 43% respectively). The quartz sandstones output decreased by 22%, migmatite and gneiss by 20% and 16% respectively. The exploitation of metamorphic rocks dropped by 4.20% (1.10 million tonnes).

The production is c oncentrated within t he area of two Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie and Świętokrzyskie with the share in P olish output of dimension and crushed stones of 42.2% (within 272 deposits and 53.1% of domestic resources) and 34.9% (within 137 deposits and 21.9% of domestic resources) respectively. Małopolskie Voivodeship accounts for 12.1% of domestic production (105 deposits and 11.8% of domestic resources).

Dimension and crushed stones are exploited also during brown coal exploitation. In 2015 there were 1.15 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder, 72.40 thousand tonnes of limestones and 37.21 thousand tonnes of quartzite extracted from Bełchatów and Szczerców fields (KWB Bełchatów SA mine).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2015.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

2014

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in t his "Balance..." to the Dimension and Crushed Stones comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in d omestic economy. The stones are used to produce crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for building, road and railway construction and stone elements for road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Sedimentary rocks represent 46.4% of anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones (4,987.16 million tonnes), igneous rocks 40.0% of the resources (4,296.74 million tonnes) and metamorphic rocks 13.6% (1,455.24 million tonnes). The share of metamorphic rocks is s ystematically getting higer – increased by 1.19% in c omparison with the previous year mainly due to the growth of quartzitic sandstone resources (by 17.4%). The resources of metamorphic rocks increased significantly – by 2.86% (mainly resources of dolomitic marble – they rose by 26.8%).

Igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he Lower Silesian region where they are represented by basalts, granites, gabbros, syenites, melaphyres, porphyres, amphibolites, gneisses, migmatites, serpentinites and marbles and form a few deposits in t he Małopolska Voivodeship (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks matching requirements for that use are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits in t he Holy Cross Mts and the Silesian-Cracow region and sandstone deposits were documented in t he Carpathian region and Holy Cross Mts and Lower Silesia. In turn, deposits of limestones, opokas and marls were documented in t he Lublin U pland.

Location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

Anticipated economic resources amounted to 10,739.13 million tonnes and increased by 75.63 million tonnes (0.71%) in c omparison with the previous year. This growth was much smaller than in t he year before. The number of deposits increased from 747 to 750 where 6 new deposits were documented and 3 deposits crossed out from ‘The balance…’. Since 2008 the deposit number increase has been slowing down – from +5.8% in t he years 2007 and 2008 to 0.4% in 2014. Sedimentary rocks deposits amounted to 528 (which accounts for 70.4% of total number of deposits), igneous rocks deposits to 188 (25.1%) and metamorphic rocks deposits to 64 (8.5%).

About 53.2% of resources (5,711.71 million tonnes) are within 341 exploited deposits. There are also 199 non-exploited deposits covered by detailed exploration (A+B+C₁ categories) with resources equal 2,609.59 million tonnes (24.3% of total resources) and 47 non-exploited deposits covered by preliminary exploration (C₂+D categories) with resources equal 1,792.75 million tonnes (16.7% of total resources). Resources of 163 abandoned deposits account for 5.8% of total resources and are equal 625.09 million tonnes.

Table 1 shows the current state of exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Economic resources amounted to 3,644.57 million tonnes in 2014 and increased by 183.18 million tonnes (+5.29%) in c omparison with 2013.

Anticipated economic reasources of dimension and crushed stone increased in 2014 due to:

• documentation of 12 new deposits with total resources equal 48.17 million tonnes – Lubnów, Ligota Tułowicka, Chomentów 1, Trakt Kamioński, Węgierka, Dąbie IV, Długopole Górne N, Grabowie I, Jabłonica Ruska-Łaski, Kopiec 2, Skawinki and Zagórze III;
• extension of selected deposits boundaries (resources increased by 144.20 million tonnes): Ołdrzychowice-Romanowo (+47 million tonnes), Bukowa Góra (+34.56 million tonnes), Piskrzyn (+13.78 million tonnes), Radkowice-Podwole (+13.66 million tonnes), Wymysłów (+13.18 million tonnes), Nowa Wioska (+6.15 million tonnes), Radzięcin II (+4.43 million tonnes), Krzeniów (+3.72 million tonnes), Lubień (+2.67 million tonnes), Skawce (+2.11 million tonnes), Nowy Waliszów-soczewka C (+2.11 million tonnes), Gracze and Manasterz deposits (+0.83 million tonnes);
• better exploration, reclassification and verification of resources (+13.44 million tonnes) – especially for dolomite deposit Imielin-Północ (+7.00 million tonnes), limestone deposit Lipowica II-1 (+2.45 million tonnes) and limestone deposit Celiny I (+2.02 million tonnes);

Resources decreased due to:

• the output (−58.36 million tonnes);
• crossing 14 deposits out from ‘The balance…’ (−38.14 million tonnes): dolomite deposit Pustynia Błędowska IV (−15.20 million tonnes), limestone and dolomite deposit Łabędziów (−9.07 million tonnes), limestone deposit Radkowice-Podwole Północ (−8.90 million tonnes), syenite deposit Wądroże Wielkie (−1.79 million tonnes), basalt deposit Kostrza Góra (−1.25 million tonnes) and 9 other deposits (−1.92 million tonnes): Lądek-Orłowice, Mystków, Prusice Górne, Radomierzyce, Strzegom-Graniczna, Szydłówek-Skopek, Wałbrzych-Podgórze, Wojtek / Markocice, Zagórze;
• updating and verification of resources and losses (−9.51 million tonnes);
• changes of Nasławice deposit boundaries (−4.31 million tonnes);
• reclassification of resources (−3.39 million tonnes);
• updating of resources due to the better exploration for (−0.18 million tonnes): quartzitic sandstone deposit Dziewiątle, limestone deposit Raciszyn II, melaphyre deposit Tłumaczów-Gardzień and dolomite deposit Wszachów II.

According to data provided by operators of exploited deposits, production of dimension and crushed stones in 2014 amounted to 64.08 million tonnes and was by 5.72 million tonnes higher (9.8%) than in t he previous year. It was the level reached in 2010. The most significant increase was noted for sedimentary rocks (11.1% – 3.35 million tonnes) then for igneous rocks (8.7% – 2.09 million tonnes) and for metamorphic rocks (6.7% – 0.28 million tonnes). Exploitation of travertine, menilitic schist and migmatite dropped in c omparison with the previous year. Basalt, diabase, syenite, limestone and dolomitic marble production has not changed. The most significant growth was noted for opoka and dolomitic limestone (67% and 49% respectively). Production of granodiorite, melaphyre, porphyre, amphibolite, gneiss, serpentinite and dolomite increased by about 20-25%.

The production is c oncentrated within t he area of two voivodeships: Dolnośląskie and Świętokrzyskie with the share in P olish output of dimension and crushed stones of 44.0% (within 264 deposits and 53.1% of domestic resources) and 33.5% (within 136 deposits and 22% of domestic resources) respectively. Małopolskie voivodeship accounts for 11.4% of domestic production (107 deposits and 11.8% of domestic resources).

Dimension and crushed stones are exploited also during brown coal exploitation from non-documented deposits. In 2014 there were 1.86 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder, 77.79 thousand tonnes of limestone and 64.95 thousand tonnes of quartzite extracted from Bełchatów and Szczerców fields (KWB Bełchatów SA mine). In KWB Adamów mine there were 0.40 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder exploited.

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2014.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

2013

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in t his "Balance..." to the Dimension and Crushed Stones comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in d omestic economy. The stones are used to produce crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for building, road and railway construction and stone elements for road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Sedimentary rocks represent 46.2% of anticipated economic resources of dimension and crushed stones and igneous rocks 40.5% of the resources. The share of metamorphic rocks is m uch smaller, not exceeding 14% of the resources.

Igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he Lower Silesian region where they are represented by basalts, granites, gabbros, syenites, melaphyres, porphyres, amphibolites, gneisses, migmatites, serpentinites and marbles and form a few deposits in t he Małopolska Voivodeship (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks matching requirements for that use are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits in t he Holy Cross Mts and the Silesian-Cracow region and sandstone deposits were documented in t he Carpathian region and Holy Cross Mts and Lower Silesia. In turn, deposits of limestones, opokas and marls were documented in t he Lublin U pland.

Location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

Anticipated economic resources amounted to 10,663.5 million tonnes and increased by 154.35 million tonnes (1.47%) in c omparison with the previous year. It was the first growth since 2009 when resources increased by 6.31%. The number of deposits increased from 742 to 747 where 12 new deposits were documented and 7 deposits crossed out from ‘The balance…’.

Almost 52% of resources (5,530.67 million tonnes) are within 332 exploited deposits. There are also 207 non-exploited deposits covered by detailed exploration (A+B+C₁ categories) with resources amounted to 2,675.13 million tonnes (25.1% of total resources) and 48 non-exploited deposits covered by preliminary exploration (C₂+D categories) with resources amounted to 1,792.79 million tonnes (16.8% of total resources). Resources of 160 abandoned deposits account for 6.2% of total resources and are equal 664.91 million tonnes.

Table 1 shows the current state of exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Economic resources amounted to 3,461.39 million tonnes in 2013 and increased by 69.06 million tonnes in c omparison with 2012 – mainly due to:

• documentation of 12 new deposits with total resources equal 48.17 million tonnes – Lubnów, Ligota Tułowicka, Chomentów 1, Trakt Kamioński, Węgierka, Dąbie IV, Długopole Górne N, Grabowie I, Jabłonica Ruska-Łaski, Kopiec 2, Skawinki and Zagórze III;
• extension of selected deposits boundaries (resources increased by 167.46 million tonnes);
• better exploration (resources increased by 51.69 million tonnes);
• reclassification and verification of resources (resources increased by 2.47 million tonnes)

Resources decreased due to the output (58.36 million tonnes), allocation new deposits from existing ones (decreased by 31.6 million tonnes), crossing out 3 deposits (decreased by 15.59 million tonnes), changes of deposits boundaries (decreased by 4.54 million tonnes), better exploration (decreased by 2.78 million tonnes), verification of resources (decreased by 0.83 million tonnes) and reclassification of resources (decreased by 0.6 million tonnes).

According to data provided by operators of exploited deposits, production of dimension and crushed stones in 2013 amounted to 58.36 million tonnes and was by 5.64 million tonnes lower (8.82%) than in t he previous year. The most significant decrease was noted for sedimentary rocks (10.4%) then for metamorphic rocks (7.9%) and for igneous rocks (7.0%). Exploitation of serpentinite and opoka decreased by 40% whereas basalt, gabbro, gneiss and marble production dropped by 18-20%. There was syenite and dolomitic limestone production increase (by 37-39%), granodiorite by 18% and melaphyre and amphibolite by 8%.

The production is c oncentrated within t he area of two Voivodeships: Dolnośląskie and Świętokrzyskie with the share in P olish output of dimension and crushed stones of 44.7% (within 262 deposits) and 33% (within 136 deposits) respectively.

Dimension and crushed stones are exploited also during brown coal exploitation from non-documented deposits. In 2013 there were 2.53 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder, 14.38 thousand tonnes of limestone and 29.03 thousand tonnes of sandstone extracted from Bełchatów and Szczerców deposits (KWB Bełchatów SA mine). In KWB Adamów mine there were 0.57 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder exploited.

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2013.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński, Wojciech Miśkiewicz

2012

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in t his R eport to the Dimension and Crushed Stones comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in d omestic economy. The stones are used to produce crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for building and road and railway construction and stone elements for Road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Sedimentary rocks represent about 45% of proven resources of dimension and crushed stones and igneous rocks – 41% of the resources. The share of metamorphic rocks is m uch smaller, not exceeding 14% of the resources.

Igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he Lower Silesian region where they are represented by basalts, granites, gabbros, syenites, melaphyres, porphyres, amphibolites, gneisses, migmatites, serpentinites and marbles) and form a few deposits in t he Małopolska Voivodeship (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks matching requirements for that use are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits in t he Holy Cross Mts and the Silesian-Cracow region and sandstone deposits were proven in t he Carpathian region and Holy Cross Mts and Lower Silesia. In turn, deposits of limestones, opokas and marls were proven in t he Lublin U pland.

Location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

Anticipated economic resources amounted to 10,509.15 million tonnes and increased by 84.18 million tonnes in c omparison with the previous year.

About 51% of resources (5,394.91 million tonnes) are within 321 exploited deposits. There are also 210 non-exploited deposits covered by detailed exploration (A+B+C categories) with resources amounted to 2,705.85 million tonnes and 49 non-exploited deposits covered by preliminary exploration with resources amounted to 1,777.13 million tonnes. Resources of abandoned deposits account for 6% of total resources and are equal 631.27 million tonnes.

Table 1 shows the current state of exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Economic resources amounted to 3,392.33 million tonnes in 2012 and increased by 20.08 million tonnes in c omparison with 2011 – mainly due to documentation of 17 new deposits, extension of selected deposits boundaries, better exploration, reclassification and verification of resources.

According to data provided by operators of exploited deposits, production of dimension and crushed stones in 2012 amounted to 64.01 million tonnes and was 20.57 million tonnes lower than in t he previous year. The most significant decrease was noted for metamorphic rocks (38%) then for igneous rocks (25%) and sedimentary rocks (22%). Production of menilitic shists decreased by 84%, syenite by 60%, gneiss by 50% and diabase by 44%. There was only chalcedony and dolomitic limestone production increase in 2012 (by 34% and 15% respectively).

The production is c oncentrated within t he area of two voivodeships: Dolnośląskie and Świętokrzyskie with the share in P olish output of dimension and crushed stones of 44% (within 262 deposits) and 34% (within 136 deposits) respectively.

Dimension and crushed stones are exploited also during brown coal exploitation from non-documented deposits. In 2012 there were 1.07 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder, 118.21 thousand tonnes of limestone and 59.62 thousand tonnes of sandstone extracted from Bełchatów and Szczerców fields (KWB Bełchatów SA mine).

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2012.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Dariusz Brzeziński

2011

The group of mineral raw minerals, assigned in t his R eport to the Dimension and Crushed Stones comprises 33 lithological varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks displaying properties which make them useful in d omestic economy. The stones are used to produce crushed aggregates – a high-grade raw material for building and road and railway construction and stone elements for Road construction (stone for paving roads, stone and stone plates for sidewalks, stone street curbing and curb ramps) and building construction (stone blocks, decorative plates for elevation and facade, floor plates and slabs).

Sedimentary rocks represent about 47% of proven resources of dimension and crushed stones and igneous rocks – 44% of the resources. The share of metamorphic rocks is m uch smaller, not exceeding 9% of the resources.

Igneous and metamorphic rocks explored as dimension and crushed stones occur mainly in t he Lower Silesian region where they are represented by basalts, granites, gabbros, syenites, melaphyres, porphyres, amphibolites, gneisses, migmatites, serpentinites and marbles) and form a few deposits in t he Małopolska voivodeship (diabases, melaphyres, porphyres and porphyric tuffs). Sedimentary rocks matching requirements for that use are much more common. Limestones and dolomites form numerous deposits in t he Holy Cross Mts and the Silesian-Cracow region and sandstone deposits were proven in t he Carpathian region and Holy Cross Mts and Lower Silesia. In turn, deposits of limestones, opokas and marls were proven in t he Lublin U pland.

Location of dimension and crushed stones deposits is p resented on two separeted maps – for South-Western Poland and for South-Eastern Poland.

According to: Regulation of the Minister of the Environment (which were obligatory between 1.01.2002 and 31.12.2011) and the limit values of the parameters that defines the deposit (obligatory since 1.01.2012) dimension and crushed stones are documented to the depth of opencast exploitation system. For dimension stones the most important is g eological divisibility stated for any type of rock: 5% of volume for marls and serpentinites, 10% for syenite, gabbro, granodiorite, 20% for granite, tuff, sandstone. For crushed stones average compression strength should be more than 80 MPa and abradability in L os Angeles drum should be maximum 35%.

Deposits of mineral raw materials for road and building construction are explored down to the depth to which their exploitation is t echnically and economically justified exploitation.

Table 1 shows the current state of exploration and development of the dimension and crushed stones.

Table 1. Dimension and crushed stones – million tonnes

Anticipated economic resources, documented within 731 deposits, amounted to 10,424.97 million tonnes in 2011 – 251.18 million tonnes bigger than in 2010. There were 26 new deposits documented in 2011 and 2 deposits crossed out of the ‘Balance…’.

Resources of exploited deposits states for 49% (5,223.86 million tonnes) of total anticipated economic resources and are documented within 315 deposits.

Economic resources amounted to 3,372.25 million tonnes in 2011 and increased by 190.68 million tonnes in c omparison with 2010.

According to data provided by operators of exploited deposits, production of dimension and crushed stones in 2011 raised to 84.58 million tonnes and was 21.35 million tonnes higher than in t he previous year. The increase was the highest in t he case limestone production (by 71%), granites (38%), basalt (35%), dolomites (27%), melaphyre (26%) and sandstone (20%). The production is c oncentrated within t he area of two voivodeships: dolnośląskie and świętokrzyskie with the share in P olish output of dimension and crushed stones of 42% and 34% respectively.

Dimenshion and crushed stones are exploited also during brown coal exploitation from non-documented deposits. In 2011 there were 5.06 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder, 193.01 thousand tonnes of limestone and 4.71 thousand tonnes of sandstone exctracted from Bełchatów and Szczerców fields (KWB Bełchatów SA mine). The output of KWB Adamów SA mine amounted to 1.27 thousand tonnes of erratic boulder.

The figure given below shows changes in d omestic resources and production of dimension and crushed stones in P oland in t he years 1989-2011.

Table 2 shows the current state of exploration and development and production with breakdown of individual lithological types of rocks used in r oad and building construction.

Table 2. Resources and production of lithological types of rocks used as road and building stones – thousand tonnes

Table 3. List of dimension and crushed stones – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Elżbieta Tołkanowicz, Krzysztof Żukowski