The mining activities carried out at the mine affect the environment in many ways. Among other things, it leads to the creation of various forms, such as mine workings, escarpments, walls and spoil tips, which pose challenges both during exploitation and in the reclamation process. The variability of the physicochemical characteristics of the ground, the occurrence of cracks and ledges with different exposures and moisture conditions generate many problems already during the reclamation planning period.
The Strzelin granite mine, also known as the Strzelin granite quarry, is the largest stone mine working in the whole of Europe. The depth of the main working reaches an impressive 120 meters, its length is 650 meters and its width - 300 meters.
An interesting fact is that granite from the Strzelin quarry has been used to build such constructions as the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Berlin City Hall, the Jagiellonian Library in Krakow, the old bridge over Vistula River in Tczew and the Central Railway Station in Warsaw.
We would like to express our particular gratitude to Mineral Polska Sp. z o.o. and the Mining Plant Maintenance Manager, Mr. Mirosław Mróz, for making it possible to hold the classes at the mine site. The knowledge imparted to the students by the Mining Plant Maintenance Manager was crucial in understanding issues related to the impact of rock raw materials exploitation on the environment and the geotechnical restoration of these areas.
