KWK Sośnica Coal Mine
From Global Energy Monitor
| This article is part of the Global Coal Mine Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor. |
| Sub-articles: |
| Related-articles: |
KWK Sośnica Coal Mine is an operating coal mine in Gilwice, Silesian, Poland.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Mine Name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| KWK Sośnica Coal Mine | Gilwice, Silesian, Poland | 50.2747, 18.7171 (exact) |
The map below shows the exact location of the coal mine:
Project Details
Table 2: Project status
| Status | Status Detail | Opening Year | Closing Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating | – | 1917[1] | 2029 (planned)[2] |
Table 3: Operation details
| Capacity (Mtpa) | Production (Mtpa) | Year of Production | Mine Type | Mining Method | Mine Size (km2) | Mine Depth (m) | Workforce Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | 0.76[3] | 2024[3] | Underground | – | 33.42 | 700.0* | 1978.0[4] |
Table 4: Coal resources and destination
| Total Reserves (Mt) | Year of Total Reserves Recorded | Total Resources (Mt) | Coalfield | Coal Type | Coal Grade | Primary Consumer/ Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114.0[5] | 2023[5] | – | – | Bituminous | Met | – |
Table 5: Ownership and parent company
| Owner | Parent Company | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| KWK Sośnica Branch[6] | Polska Grupa Górnicza SA [100.0%] | Poland |
Table 6: Historical production (unit: million tonnes per annum)
| ROM or Saleable | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROM | 1.41[7] | 1.56[8] | 1.17[9] | 1.29[10] | 0.97[11] | 0.84[12] | 1.05[5] | 0.76[3] | – |
Reported Methane Emissions Data
Global Energy Monitor collates facility-scale methane emissions data reported by government and company sources collected in a systematic fashion. This mine is associated with the following methane emissions reports:
Table 7: Methane emissions
| Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes CO2 equivalent) | Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes CH4) | Year of Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions | Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes) Reference | Reference type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.874 | 1898.542 | 2024 | [13] | national government data |
Note: The above sections were automatically generated and are based on data from the Global Coal Mine Tracker May 2026 release.
Ownership Tree
This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.
Background
Sośnica Coal Mine is an underground mine in Gilwice, Silesian, Poland.[14] KWK Sośnica Branch operates the mine, which is owned by Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG). Mining began in 1917. As of 2021 the mine employs 1,971 people.[14] In 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mine was shut due to the high number of infections amongst miners at the site. [15] The mine is reported to close in 2048. [16]
- Operator: KWK Sośnica Branch [14]
- Owner: Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG)[14]
- Location: Gilwice, Silesian, Poland[14]
- Coordinates: 50.27497539793599, 18.717877070377103 (Exact)
- Status: Operating
- Production: 1.853 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa)[17]
- Total Reserves:
- Mineable Reserves: 119.189
- Coal Type: Bituminous (Met)
- Mine Type: Underground
- Mine Size: 33.42 km2
- Start Year: 1917[14]
- Source of Financing:
- Workforce Size: 2052
Coal Mine Boundaries and Methane Sources
Global Energy Monitor researchers have identified coal mine boundary/boundaries and potential sources of coal mine methane (CMM) for this mine. These research results can be used to drive CMM attribution and mitigation efforts, particularly when combined with remotely sensed methane plume locations and mine ownership data. Explore the results with the embedded map at the top of this page by clicking on the mine boundary polygon or the CMM placemarkers to reveal more details. A detailed description of this research can be found in Coal Mine Boundaries and Methane Sources. This data is also available as a downloadable companion dataset to the Global Coal Mine Tracker and the Global Methane Emitters Tracker.
Table SMP1: Coal mine boundaries and methane sources data
| ID | Mine feature category | Mine feature subcategory | Description | Coordinates precision | Data source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1471.B1 | mine boundary | underground | KWK Sośnica Coal Mine boundary | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P1 | ventilation system | shaft | Shaft III | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P2 | ventilation system | shaft | Shaft IV | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P3 | ventilation system | vent | Shaft V | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P4 | ventilation system | shaft | Shaft VI | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P5 | ventilation system | shaft | Shaft VII | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P6 | ventilation system | shaft | Shaft Bojków | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P7 | other | mine entrance or exit | Shaft Podsadzkowy | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P8 | degasification system | combined heat and power plant | Cogeneration units | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P9 | degasification system | combined heat and power plant | Possible cogeneration units | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P10 | degasification system | drainage station | Methane drainage station | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P11 | degasification system | combined heat and power plant | Methane combustion unit | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
| M1471.P12 | other | preparation plant | Coal processing plant | extracted | 2024-05-02 00:00:00 |
Table SMP2: Coal mine boundaries and methane sources data (continued)
| ID | Notes |
|---|---|
| M1471.B1 | The boundary was extracted from the mining area for the mine, shown in the PGG S.A. MINES MAP at Polska Grupa Górnicza SA geoportal: https://web.archive.org/web/20241219034735/https://korporacja.pgg.pl/likwidacja-szkod-gorniczych/mapa/index.html, updated on March 10 2025. The area of the boundary is approximately 32 sq km. |
| M1471.P1 | The location was extracted from Fig. 6 Map of the location of the PGG and SRK mine shafts – GZW W part , on page 12 of Hybrid energy storage system using post-mining infrastructure (HESS), https://web.archive.org/web/20250522223147/https://itpe.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/D.2.1_HESS_Guidelines-on-the-adaptation-and-use-of-inactive-shafts-possible-to-energy-storage.pdf. The location was confirmed visually with Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. Note there does not appear to be named shafts I-II. |
| M1471.P2 | The location was extracted from Fig. 6 Map of the location of the PGG and SRK mine shafts – GZW W part , on page 12 of Hybrid energy storage system using post-mining infrastructure (HESS), https://web.archive.org/web/20250522223147/https://itpe.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/D.2.1_HESS_Guidelines-on-the-adaptation-and-use-of-inactive-shafts-possible-to-energy-storage.pdf. The location was confirmed visually with Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M1471.P3 | The location was extracted from Fig. 6 Map of the location of the PGG and SRK mine shafts – GZW W part , on page 12 of Hybrid energy storage system using post-mining infrastructure (HESS), https://web.archive.org/web/20250522223147/https://itpe.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/D.2.1_HESS_Guidelines-on-the-adaptation-and-use-of-inactive-shafts-possible-to-energy-storage.pdf. The location was confirmed visually with Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M1471.P4 | The location was extracted from Fig. 6 Map of the location of the PGG and SRK mine shafts – GZW W part , on page 12 of Hybrid energy storage system using post-mining infrastructure (HESS), https://web.archive.org/web/20250522223147/https://itpe.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/D.2.1_HESS_Guidelines-on-the-adaptation-and-use-of-inactive-shafts-possible-to-energy-storage.pdf. The location was confirmed visually with Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M1471.P5 | The location was extracted from Fig. 6 Map of the location of the PGG and SRK mine shafts – GZW W part , on page 12 of Hybrid energy storage system using post-mining infrastructure (HESS), https://web.archive.org/web/20250522223147/https://itpe.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/D.2.1_HESS_Guidelines-on-the-adaptation-and-use-of-inactive-shafts-possible-to-energy-storage.pdf. The location was confirmed visually with Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M1471.P6 | The location was extracted from Fig. 6 Map of the location of the PGG and SRK mine shafts – GZW W part , on page 12 of Hybrid energy storage system using post-mining infrastructure (HESS), https://web.archive.org/web/20250522223147/https://itpe.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/D.2.1_HESS_Guidelines-on-the-adaptation-and-use-of-inactive-shafts-possible-to-energy-storage.pdf. The location was confirmed visually with Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. News article https://web.archive.org/web/20250806175230/https://iknurow.pl/gliwice-szyb-bojkow-jest-juz-likwidowany/, March 1 2024, describes Shaft Bojków as being decommissioned. |
| M1471.P7 | The location was extracted from Fig. 6 Map of the location of the PGG and SRK mine shafts – GZW W part , on page 12 of Hybrid energy storage system using post-mining infrastructure (HESS), https://web.archive.org/web/20250522223147/https://itpe.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/D.2.1_HESS_Guidelines-on-the-adaptation-and-use-of-inactive-shafts-possible-to-energy-storage.pdf. The location was confirmed visually with Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. News article https://web.archive.org/web/20250806175230/https://iknurow.pl/gliwice-szyb-bojkow-jest-juz-likwidowany/, March 1 2024, describes Shaft Podsadzkowy as being decommissioned. |
| M1471.P8 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery, and confirmed with ground-level photo from PGG webpage at https://web.archive.org/web/20250711184038/https://ec.pgg.pl/nasze-elektrocieplownie/ec-sosnica. According to this webpage, 2 x 2 MW units were installed in 2021. |
| M1471.P9 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery, and based on ground-level photo from PGG news article at https://web.archive.org/web/20250806182531/https://www.pgg.pl/strefa-korporacyjna/aktualnosci/1845/W-Sosnicy-coraz-wiecej-pradu-i-ciepla-z-metanu. According to this webapge, unknown infrastructure was installed between 2009 and 2011 and a fourth cogen unit was installed in late 2024. |
| M1471.P10 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery, and based on ground-level video at https://web.archive.org/web/20250806231725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2SvxfNhFTU. A methane drainage station and associated combustion unit is referenced in https://web.archive.org/web/20250806175122/https://nettg.pl/gornictwo/197809/w-ub-r-w-gliwickiej-kopalni-z-uwagi-na-bardzo-metanowe-poklady-ujeto-powyzej-25-mln-m-szesc-gazu, July 8, 2023. |
| M1471.P11 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery, and based on ground-level video at https://web.archive.org/web/20250806231725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2SvxfNhFTU. A methane drainage station and associated combustion unit is referenced in https://web.archive.org/web/20250806175122/https://nettg.pl/gornictwo/197809/w-ub-r-w-gliwickiej-kopalni-z-uwagi-na-bardzo-metanowe-poklady-ujeto-powyzej-25-mln-m-szesc-gazu, July 8, 2023. |
| M1471.P12 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
Associated Coal Mine Methane Mitigation Projects
Some coal mines have installed infrastructure which can use and/or destroy some methane emissions associated with mining. In 2024, the Global Methane Initiative reported that this mine had a mitigation project associated with it. This methodology page describes how GEM classified these projects and linked them with coal mines in the Global Coal Mine Tracker.
Table MM1: Methane mitigation projects
| Mitigation Project Name | Project Type | GMI Reported Status | GMI Reported Start Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sosnica Mine CHP Project - Poland | utilization | Operational | 2021 |
| Sosnica Mine Flaring - Poland | Flaring | Shut down | 2011 |
Methane Plumes Detected Nearby
Global Energy Monitor researchers analyze satellite-detected methane plumes in order to determine whether they have been observed at or near the site of GEM energy assets. The satellite data provider creates imagery of individual methane plumes and estimates their emission rates at the time of observation. GEM has reviewed many of these plume detections against Google Earth imagery and GEM’s own energy infrastructure tracker data. The following table lists methane plumes which are associated with the energy asset or facility based on distance and manual review. (A full description of the analysis process is available in the Global Methane Emitters Tracker methodology wiki page.)
Table M1: Plume details
| Observation date | Satellite data provider | Location of plume origin | Methane emissions rate | Additional plume information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-01T09:56:02+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20241101t095602c00s4001-C | 50.25728, 18.72266[18] | 1386.537 kg/hr[18] | Śląskie Voivodship Methane Observation 2024-11-01, 6 |
| 2024-12-27T09:56:07+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20241227t095607c00s4001-A | 50.25667, 18.72059[18] | –[18] | Śląskie Voivodship Methane Observation 2024-12-27, 6 |
| 2025-02-21T10:18:32+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20250221t101832c00s4001-G | 50.25675, 18.72176[18] | 967.7952 kg/hr[18] | Śląskie Voivodship Methane Observation 2025-02-21, 10 |
| 2025-03-26T10:09:11+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20250326t100911c00s4001-A | 50.25631, 18.72366[18] | 547.3663 kg/hr[18] | Śląskie Voivodship Methane Observation 2025-03-26, 6 |
| 2025-05-16T10:29:53+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20250516t102953c00s4001-A | 50.25645, 18.72226[18] | 594.9713 kg/hr[18] | Śląskie Voivodship Methane Observation 2025-05-16, 1 |
Articles and Resources
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of world coal mines, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Mine Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
References
- ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17aUzNppj_UA7YbtabJsJOw6kXEFArkhfhJ3Oyn2PPn0/edit?gid=144636919#gid=144636919.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ [PUBLIC] Instrat - Lignite and hard coal mining database v4.5
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://energy.instrat.pl/en/mining/database/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17aUzNppj_UA7YbtabJsJOw6kXEFArkhfhJ3Oyn2PPn0/edit?gid=330630017#gid=330630017.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 (PDF) https://www.pgi.gov.pl/images/surowce/2023/pdf/hard_coal_2023.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.pgg.pl/strefa-korporacyjna/firma/kopalnie/3-kwk-row.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://www.pgi.gov.pl/images/surowce/2017/pdf/hard_coal_2017.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://www.pgi.gov.pl/images/surowce/2018/pdf/hard_coal_2018.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://www.pgi.gov.pl/images/surowce/2019/pdf/hard_coal_2019.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://www.pgi.gov.pl/images/surowce/2020/pdf/hard_coal_2020.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://www.pgi.gov.pl/images/surowce/2021/pdf/hard_coal_2021.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://www.pgi.gov.pl/images/surowce/2022/pdf/hard_coal_2022.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZLYAePcClApKsZeTtXIc9pLZwh7VAgvmWuqn-ShgtYc/edit?gid=2073184868#gid=2073184868.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG), KWK Sośnica, PGG website, Accessed March 2021
- ↑ The First News, "Third Polish Mine Suspends Extraction", The Third News website, Accessed March 2021
- ↑ Energies, Frejowski, A.; Bondaruk, J.; Duda, A, [file:///Users/gem/Downloads/energies-14-01385.pdf "Challenges and Opportunities for End-of-Life Coal Mine Sites: Black-to-Green Energy Approach"], MDPI website, Accessed March 2021
- ↑ "Kolejny dobry postęp w Sośnicy. Kopalnia fedruje na siedem zmian", netTG website, Accessed March 2021
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 18.9 url=https://data.carbonmapper.org/
