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HARD COAL RESOURCES IN THE UPPER SILESIA COAL BASIN (POLAND) ACCORDING TO POLISH CLASSIFICATION AND INTERNATIONAL JORC CODE

Jarosław Chećko

Abstract

The classification of mineral resources in Poland is based on the reporting system developed in 1941 in the USSR and implemented in the middle of the 20th century in Poland as a legal norm. This norm is the Geological and Mining Law (PGG, 2011-last update), which contains guidelines for mineral deposits resources/reserves estimation and reporting, including hard coal, based on the cut off criteria and level of confidence. Polish resources classification differs from the international classification used, but may be adequately comparable with them. In international classifications, in particular the JORC (Joint Ore Reserves Committee) Code, the emphasis is put on the manner of presenting data on resources/reserves and the degree of their formal and economic accessibility for exploitation. In the present market conditions, the classification of mineral resources should provide information for investors about the degree of resource recognition and level of confidence, economic assessment and the possibility of exploitation. To this end, efforts should be made to develop a Polish code similar to JORC for estimation of mineral resources, as Russia has done by issuing its own code of international classification of mineral resources (Naen code). It would also be desirable to create three-dimensional geological models of deposits in order to adapt international standards to determine resources of mineral deposits. The article presents comparison of both classifications in a synthetic way and shows the hard coal resources in Upper Silesian Coal Basin according to polish standards and JORC Code. After analysis, the reserves of selected Polish coal companies estimated according to JORC standards were decreased by 28% in relation to reserves estimated and reported in accordance with Polish standards. These are the first estimated values on which the authors were based. Currently, these studies are continued towards the implementation of digital models of coal deposits for mining practice, which should confirm this dependence.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2019/1.3/s03.041

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