Poland is an Eastern European state, most of which is located on the territory of the middle European plain. The rest of the area is occupied by mountainous areas. This is a country rich in a wide variety of minerals. What are these riches and how are they used for the economic needs of the country?
Country stocks
Minerals of Poland allow maintaining the country's economy at a high level. Since ancient times, Poland was famous for its large amber reserves. It was on Polish territory that the so-called Amber Route passed, which stretched from the Adriatic Sea to the Baltic. The main minerals of Poland are represented by deposits of coal, copper ores, silver, tin, zinc, as well as deposits of rock salt, sulfur and various raw materials for the production of building materials.
To this day, Poland is a leading country in the extraction of this mineral. A large number of amber products are produced here. Its reserves are estimated by specialists at 12 thousand tons. Mining in Poland began around 3500 BC. In the Middle Ages, such a form of enrichment as salt mining played a large role. And from the mid-18th century, mining of coal began to acquire great importance.
Land features of Poland and minerals
As already mentioned, most of the country's territory is flat. The plains that formed here during the ice age account for 75% of its entire territory. In the ice age, a relief of Poland was formed. And minerals, namely the places of their main deposits, were also formed during this period. In the lower parts of the East European platform, on which Poland is located, there are reserves of red-colored rocks. In the western part of the platform there is a large amount of coal and gas reserves. In the pits between the mountain peaks you can often find lakes. On the southern border are the mountains - the Sudetenland. It produces coal, nickel, tin. In the eastern part are the Carpathians.
Minerals of Poland: coal
The total reserve of coal basins in Poland is approximately 45 billion tons. But in Poland there are not enough gas and oil resources. That is why these types of resources have to be imported additionally from other countries. In recent decades, energy production from various renewable sources has become popular. If the mining of coal continues at the same pace, its reserves can satisfy the country's needs for about 500 years. This is 2 times more than the average of other countries in the world. But reserves may last even longer, because in the Polish economy coal is increasingly being replaced by another natural resource - natural gas. Gas is more environmentally friendly. According to official figures, there are 242 natural gas deposits in Poland.
The Importance of Coal Mining for the Economy
However, brown and hard coal are still of great importance for the Polish economy. About 100 million tons of coal are mined annually in Poland. Moreover, it forms the basis of electricity generation. The most important advantage of its use is that this mineral is the most affordable and at the same time economical.
The main deposits of this mineral are in Silesia. The largest place for the extraction of coal and brown coal is the Lublin Coal Basin. Brown deposits are widespread throughout the country. According to forecasts, its amount is about 42 billion. The largest number of deposits is central in the western parts of Poland.
Gas and oil
One of the main minerals in Poland is natural gas. Oil and natural gas are produced in the eastern territories. In 2016, a vast new gas field was discovered on the territory of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Its volume is about 1 billion cubic meters. Thanks to this field, Poland’s total gas production will increase by 25 million cubic meters. The depth of the new well is about 3,000 m. The annual gas consumption in Poland is about 15 billion cubic meters.
The first oil well in Poland began to be operated in 1854. At present, 92 oil fields are known.
Salt mining
A valuable wealth of the country is rock salt. Its reserves, according to experts, amount to more than 80 billion tons. One of the most famous tourist attractions is the salt mine called Wieliczka. The mine is located near Krakow in the small town of Wieliczka. Once upon a time many years ago there was a sea on the territory of this city. And salt deposits formed here naturally. Salt mining here began in the 13th century. Since the 15th century, mines have become open to a large number of tourists. Since 1978, the Wieliczka mine has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Other stocks
Also in Poland are rich reserves of geothermal waters. This term refers to thermal waters that come out from under the surface of the earth, their temperature is more than 20 degrees. Throughout the country there are numerous mineral springs that have healing properties. Geothermal waters are used in sanatoriums for bathing and bathing, treatment of the nasopharynx, as well as ingestion.
Another valuable mineral in Poland is copper. Here are the largest reserves of this metal in all of Europe. In Poland, about 3% of all world copper production is produced. Also, the country has developed mining of zinc and lead ores. The country is rich in deposits of magnetite-ilmenite ores, as well as barite reserves.