Morcinek, one of our long-term development projects, is currently undergoing geological surveys. Due to the fact that the surveys are currently being carried out, the resources in this location are not yet included in our JORC (Joint Ore Reserves Committee) reserve base. After completion of the surveys, we will be able to provide more detailed information on future exploitation at the site, likely project costs and any deadlines connected with this project.
The Project is managed by NWR KARBONIA, which is also responsible for the development of the Dębieńsko mine in Poland.
Basic information
The Morcinek site is located in Silesia in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in southern Poland, close to the border of the Czech Republic, near to NWR’s ČSM Mine.
The Project Morcinek comprises of two sites Morcinek 1 and Zebrzydowice 1.
History of the site - construction and demolition of the mine
Morcinek Mine was built between 1978 and 1993. Morcinek was an active mine, although construction never reached the planned second phase.
Based on a decision made by the JSW Board on 30.10.1997, the mine was liquidated and at the same time the mining area status was withdrawn. The mine was in active use for 11 years, from 1987 to 1998.
The Mine’s decommissioning process was completed in 2001.
Current state
As a result of the decommissioning of the mine, the only ongoing operation is the extraction of methane by Zakład Górniczy “Kaczyce 1” since 03.09.2004, which is owned by NWR Karbonia S.A..
Further project steps
- Completion of drilling and preparation of geological documentation
- Application to have the reserves included in Poland
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Application for a mining licence to the Polish Ministry of Environment
- Licence granted, mining area established
Area of geological survey
Morcinek 1 - area of 13.26 km2 located in Kaczyce in Śląskie Voivodship.
Zebrzydowice 1 - area of 9.54 km2 located in Zebrzydowice, Hażlach and Strumień in Śląskie Voivodship.
Geological survey
Licences for geological survey
Morcinek 1 - license no. 13/2003/p was granted for 12 years on 30.10.2003. Two exploration boreholes were planned, one of which has already been drilled. Moreover, this license permits the drilling of underground exploration boreholes from CSM Mine and a 2km long exploration crosscut.
Zebrzydowice 1 - license no. 57/2008/p was granted for 6 years on 20.11.2008. (4 boreholes in total/ two drilled and two planned)
Plan and implementation of the geological survey
As specified in the licenses, NWR has the right to drill 6 boreholes. One borehole (1000m deep) was drilled in the Morcinek 1 area and two (1400m deep) were drilled in the Zebrzydowice 1 area in 2011 and 2012.
A further three boreholes will be drilled by 2014 in order to support the preparation of geological documentation in the exploration area. Next, NWR’s Board will decide when to drill the outstanding boreholes. According to the plan one borehole is scheduled for Morcinek 1 and two for Zebrzydowice 1.
Geological documentation
The completed geological documentation for Morcinek 1 as scheduled, called the Documentation of geological deposits of coal Morcinek 1 (in Polish “Dokumentacja geologiczna złoża węgla kamiennego Morcinek 1”), was completed in 2011 and it has been submitted for approval to the Environmental Ministry. Approval is one of the steps towards having a mining licence (concession) granted.
At the site Zebrzydowice 1 geological exploration is currently taking place. This is expected to be completed in 2014. When the survey is completed, the geological documentation of hard coal deposit Zebrzydowice 1 will be prepared.
Relations with JSW with respect to Morcinek
A letter of intent was signed between NWR and JSW on 16.10.2007. Both NWR and JSW remain open to the possibility of a joint venture, but at this moment there are no ongoing negotiations on the issue.
Cost of Morcinek project
In the early stages of long-term projects, such as Morcinek, it is not possible to state future costs. The future of the project can only be determined when geological surveys have been completed.