Decision-making possibilities in the field of excavated material quality shaping in terms of environmental protection, I. E. how to be greener in mining

Abstract

One of the most serious environmental problems in Poland is the pollution of the atmosphere. Due to the fact that the energy production mainly uses conventional sources of energy – including predominantly hard coal, lignite and natural gas – harmful products from the combustion of the raw materials get to the atmosphere. The air pollution from the combustion of hard coal is caused by many factors. They include the use of outdated furnaces, the inadequate use of furnaces and heating equipment, burning of low-quality fuels, waste burning, lack of knowledge and awareness of combustion processes and their products, as well as negligence in care of the natural environment. However, individual consumers can reduce the negative impact of combustion processes on the environment, e. g. by using productive and environmentally friendly furnaces, choosing better quality fuels, utilizing of rubbish instead of burning them in furnaces, walls insulating and implementing similar activities. Despite natural geological conditions, mining enterprises and processing plants determine the quality of the used raw materials. The article discusses the results of the analysis regarding the impact of the decisions taken during the selected stages of the hard coal production on the final product quality. It should be emphasized that the quality of the excavated material, and thus, the coal burned in the furnaces, does not depend only on the mining and geological conditions. The cutting process and the use of the mining machines and activities in processing plants also have an impact on the quality of the burned coal. The authors discuss the decision-making possibilities that affect the quality of the excavated material, and then the quality of coal as a final product delivered to the recipient. The presented areas and the potential decisions were discussed in the context of minimizing the negative consequences of using hard coal as a source of energy for the environment.