Open Mine

Dear Readers,

When NWR first announced its plan to rebuild Debiensko mine-closed for several years and since haunted passers-by with its obvious neglect and ghostly stillness, many people must have thought to themselves: “they must be crazy.” Building a new coal mine nowadays? It cannot be done… It’s too complicated… Too costly… Dream on!

But not everyone thought like that. A few people directed by a visionary, who knew that this dream can come through, started to look into such a possibility in the middle of 2007. All their efforts paid off. In June 2011 NWR’s Board of Directors gave the go-ahead and the announcement was made: Debiensko Mine will rise again, rebuilt, better than ever before.

Just a few months after that announcement, on December 3 2011, in connection with the St. Barbara’s Day, the patroness of miners, we, at NWR Karbonia, celebrated a Day of New Beginning in our first completely renovated building on the site – the symbolic “Cechownia”.

The rebuilding of Debiensko’s entire infrastructure has commenced with full force. When fully rebuilt, the mine will look as a picture from the past: traditional red brick buildings will adorn the surface area and the monstrous architecture of the last five decades will vanish forever.

Work has started on the new mine’s access. Within a few months, heavy roadheaders will start cutting rock meter by meter. We will see the first coal coming out of the mine by the beginning of 2017.

It will not be easy. Lots of technical and logistical issues will have to be resolved as Mother Nature always has some surprises in store. But these will be addressed, as always, by our mining profession.

NWR Karbonia’s project has received a lot of support from the local governments and the local communities. We have received considerably more than 3,000 job applications and there is a lively and vivid local interest in the project.

We at NWR Karbonia, already feel like part of the local community; that is why we have already started to support many local activities and charity organizations. And we shall remain committed to this role.

Of course, we realise that the coming year of 2012, and for quite a few years beyond that, will be tough and full of challenges. I wish all involved plenty of stamina, perseverance, patience and, yes, good humour, in their ambitious tasks.

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Szczesc Boze. Good Luck!
Waclaw Jerzy Klinowski