According to estimates, deposits in the area of Deep Głogów (GG-P) constitute around one-fourth of the copper resources and around one third of the silver resources in all of KGHM’s concessions in Poland. The only way to obtain full access to these resources is the development of a deep mining system. The experience gained by experts during the Deep Głogów project is unique in the world.
The process of mining the deposits of Deep Głogów consists of three stages:
- Stage I – gaining access to the level of 1 200 m – the creation of main mining corridors, linking the shafts containing the deposits, along with the construction of technical infrastructure necessary in the shafts, construction of the GG-1 shaft complex and the surface air cooling stations
- Stage II – gaining access to the deposit
in the Deep Głogów mining area, creation of the headings system (drifts and declines), separating the working blocks and their infrastructure - Stage III – preparation works – creation of preparatory workings dividing the blocks into working fields, along with infrastructure development
In 2014, drift mining was continued in order to make the Deep Głogów mining area accessible, along with the development of technical infrastructure. Sinking of the GG-1 air inlet shaft continues using tubing technology. Construction of the GG-1 shaft will be carried out in stages with completion in 2019. It will be the deepest shaft in the Copper Belt – its targeted depth is 1 340 m, with diameter of 7.5 m. In April 2014, the first mining section commenced work in the Deep Głogów area and excavation below the level of 1 200 m was started. The deposit is being mined by two existing mines, Rudna and Polkowice-Sieroszowice. Deep Głogów’s development will allow the Company to prolong its mining operations in Poland, using its own deposits, for the next 30-40 years. During the peak period of extraction, i.e. in the years 2028-2035, production volume will amount to over 10 million tonnes of ore and 200-220 thousand tonnes of electrolytic copper, per year
Mining at such depth brought new challenges to KGHM’s engineers. For example, it was necessary to identify possible gas and geodynamic hazards. Testing with the use of seismic scanning was done – for the first time in the world on such a scale. This technique allows recognition of the structure of the rock mass with the use of seismic waves.
Deep Głogów (Poland)
- Approved budget for realization of the program - PLN 2 792 million
- As at 31 December 2014, expenditures amounted to PLN 1 299 million, including PLN 416 million in 2014
- Ownership: 100 % KGHM
- in the years 2009 - 2022 - 28.5 million tonnes of ore/year
- in the years 2023 - 2035 - 24.5 million tonnes of ore/year
- in the years 2036 – 2042 - around 9.7 million tonnes of ore/year
- Drift mining to gain access, development of heavy machinery chambers, creation of the ventilation and air cooling infrastructure
- 61 171.6 meters of mining was done, financed from investment funds, and 12 528.6 meters of mining financed from operational funds (a total of 73 700.2 meters) along with necessary technical infrastructure (water pipelines, power cables, electrical switchboards, belt conveyors, retention dams, pipelines and air cooling equipment, and telecommunications equipment)
- Gaining access to and mining the copper ore deposit with estimated balance resources of 7 011 thousand of tonnes of Cu and 22 981 tonnes of Ag (as at 31.12.2007)
- As at the end of 2014, the Deep Głogów project area comprised over 348 kt of ore
- 180 items of equipment representing fixed assets with a total value of PLN 215 466.4 were completed and put into operation in the Rudna and Polkowice–Sieroszowice mines, including 123 items of equipment representing fixed assets with a total value of PLN 174 822.5 in the Rudna mine and 57 items of equipment representing fixed assets with a total value of PLN 40 643.9 in the Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine
- The Deep Głogów deposit development program was created by KGHM Cuprum sp. z o.o., a KGHM Group company
- Managed in accordance with the TenStep project management methodology adopted by KGHM
- Know-how in the areas of trigeneration technology and mechanical mining
- Deep Głogów program team: 23 persons
- Number of employees working for external Contractors: around 2000
- 30 contractors, with whom nearly 80 contracts were concluded
- Higher employment in the short term and retention of jobs in the long run
- Program realized on the basis of a concession obtained by KGHM in 2004 for mining of the Deep Głogów copper ore deposit (valid to 25 Nov 2054)
- Development of the Communication Plan with stakeholders
