Socio-Economic and Environmental Effects of the Restructuring of the Bobrek–Piekary Hard Coal Mine in Piekary Śląskie

Authors

  • Wioletta Kilar Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
  • Patrycja Nowosielska Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1544-9757

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24917/20801653.402.3

Keywords:

hard coal mine, Bobrek–Piekary Mine, economic transformation, mining industry, restructuring, transition

Abstract

The restructuring of enterprises brings a range of consequences. The restructuring of a hard coal mine, a complex undertaking, also involves numerous challenges and impacts. The aim of this article is to provide a detailed identification of the effects of the restructuring of the Bobrek–Piekary Hard Coal Mine in Piekary Śląskie, with particular emphasis on socio‑economic and environmental aspects. This process is part of the broader economic transformations occurring in the Upper Silesia region and is linked to the nationwide energy transition. The article presents not only the course of the restructuring itself but also its effects on the local community, labour market, demographic situation and the state of the natural environment. The research is based on statistical data analysis (including data from Statistics Poland – GUS), survey results conducted among residents, and in‑depth interviews with representatives of local authorities. The findings indicate that despite initial difficulties and negative economic impacts, the city is undertaking concrete actions aimed at minimizing the effects of restructuring and is creating new directions for economic development.

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Author Biographies

Wioletta Kilar, Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie

Wioletta Kilar, PhD, socio‑ economic geographer, assistant professor at the Department of Logistics, Service Geography and the Labour Market in the Institute of Law, Economics and Administration at the University of the National Education Commission, Krakow. Her research interests focus primarily on the processes of transformation in the spatial structures of industry in various systems and their consequences; the location factors of different types of economic activity; the formation and functioning of enterprises (especially multinational corporations and their branches); the development of international corporations and their subsidiaries, as well as their role in global value chains; entrepreneurship ecosystems; innovation; changes in socio‑ economic development in Poland and other European Union countries; EU cohesion policy; and issues related to entrepreneurship education (including soft skills) and geography at all levels of education (from preschool to higher education).

Patrycja Nowosielska, Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie

Patrycja Nowosielska, a master’s student in geography at the Commission of National Education University in Kraków. Her research interests focus on industrial geography, enterprise restructuring and the transformation of the Silesia region.

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Kilar, W., & Nowosielska, P. (2026). Socio-Economic and Environmental Effects of the Restructuring of the Bobrek–Piekary Hard Coal Mine in Piekary Śląskie. Studies of the Industrial Geography Commission of the Polish Geographical Society, 40(2), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.24917/20801653.402.3

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 2 (2026): Selected transformation processes in the european economy

Section

Articles

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