The future of mining at the Silesian University of Technology
The International Conference “Sustainable Mining Development – New Technologies and Ecological challenges of the Polish Energy Transition” was held, during which the future of mining and challenges related to the energy transition of the Silesian Voivodeship were discussed.
On the 5th of December, a conference was held at the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology, during which the main topic of discussion were challenges related to the ongoing energy transformation.
"The conference has its traditions, has been organized for several decades and is already an important event in the calendar of meetings for the entire mining community not only from the region, but from all over Poland," said the Dean of the Faculty, Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof Filipowicz, Prof. SUT.
"This is an important meeting, during which representatives of scientific staff, experts, but also representatives of industry meet. The event gives the opportunity to meet and exchange views on such important topics as energy transformation and the implementation of modern technological solutions for mining – he added.
The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng, Marek Pawełczyk, who welcomed the guests of the conference talked about the challenges faced by mining.
- The transformation is a fact and talks about it should take place here, at the Silesian University of Technology. It was here that we used to educate for the needs of traditional stone mining, but now we are adapting to changes. We do not say that changes are bad, on the contrary, we are looking for solutions to make these changes happen consciously, for the benefit of the state – said the Rector and emphasized the important role of cooperation with mining industry companies in this process.
- Whether we will maintain education in the fields of mining, depends on this cooperation. We are aware that less staff is needed for the needs of hard mining, but we will need staff that will help to go through the process of transformation of this branch of industry and we want to speak loudly about it – said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology.
Z kolei dr hab. inż. Alicja Krzemień, prof. GIG-PIB, prezydentka EURACOAL-u, mówiła o strategiach redukcji emisji metanu na przykładzie innowacyjnych projektów dotyczących technicznych wyzwań polskiej transformacji energetycznej.
O przyszłości górnictwa i jego roli w gospodarce obiegu zamkniętego w Polsce i Europie mówiła z kolei dr hab. Iwona Jelonek, prof. UŚ.
The conference was also accompanied by workshops with the participation of representatives of foreign universities.
During the “Mining and post-mining issues during the energy transition,” scientists from Bulgaria, France, Greece, Spain, Kazakhstan, Germany, Ukraine, and Calcutta shared knowledge about the transformation of mining regions.
The conference was also an opportunity to honour the achievements of Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Mirosław Chudek Dr H.C. – an outstanding scientist, expert in the field of mining, who for many years was associated with the Silesian University of Technology.
Prof. Chudek celebrated his 90th birthday on December 4th, 2024. Born on Barbórka Day the scientist devoted his entire life to mining. He has been awarded many times for his scientific and teaching activities. His contribution to the development of the discipline was appreciated by recent graduates, including Jerzy Markowski himself – the former Minister of Economy, who personally thanked the professor for the knowledge passed on to him over the years.
“On behalf of all the mining brothers, thank you! Many Silesian sons from the “familoks,” like me, thanks to you, have become decent engineers, masters, doctors, foremen and even ministers” – said Jerzy Markowski, giving a moving speech in honour of Jubilarian.
- “I will never be your friend, but my whole life I will be your student. I will never forget how during the construction of the Budryk mine, you sat by my side with maps and advised how to design the exploitation of the deposit in order to avoid everything that is a nuisance for the mining services, how to avoid the risk of the collapse, how to design excavations. It is impossible to describe all the knowledge that you gave to me and all his disciples.”
The Jubilarian was deeply moved by these words and thanked him for organizing a jubilee in his honour.
- “I am happy to see the professional achievements of my students. Looking to the future conditioned by the energy transition, I have no doubt that this Faculty will survive and shape future generations,” said Prof. Chudek.
The conference was organized in cooperation with the National Secretariat of Mining and Energy NSZZ Solidarność and the Coal Mining Museum in Zabrze as part of the project “III National Meeting of Gwarkowie 2024”.
The project has been under the Honorary Patronage of the Minister of Industry Prof. Marzena Czarnecka, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Wojciech Saługa, Mayor of the City of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Dr Hab. Marek Pawełczyk and the Rector of the University of Economics in Katowice, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Celina M. Olszak.
