172 that integrate environmental management, new energy-related functions, and the strategic use of existing technical infrastructure and workforce competencies. The problem defined in this manner constitutes the point of departure for proposing a practical and scalable model for the transformation of mining facilities, which may also be applied to other sites facing similar structural and environmental constraints. 2. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE The primary objective of this paper is to develop and present a transformation model for the Brzeszcze Mine, serving as a reference case for converting a decommissioned hard coal mine into an infrastructure asset that performs environmental and energy-related functions. The proposed approach emphasizes the practical integration of existing mining infrastructure with new technological processes aimed at reducing environmental pressures while generating economic value in the post-mining phase. The scope of the study is intentionally limited to a single facility, allowing for an indepth technical and functional analysis of the proposed model. The paper does not attempt to provide a comprehensive assessment of Poland’s energy transition; rather, it uses the Brzeszcze Mine as a representative case study through which the scalability and transferability of the proposed solutions may be evaluated. From a systemic perspective, the transformation model is structured around four interrelated functional modules: (1) mine water management (purification and desalination), (2) integration with renewable energy sources (photovoltaic systems), (3) recovery of mineral resources from technological processes, (4) methane capture and management. The first module involves the development of a conceptual mine water management system based on advanced purification and desalination technologies adapted to the technical conditions of the Brzeszcze Mine. The model assumes an average mine water inflow of approximately 8,000–12,000 m³/day, corresponding to typical values observed in mines undergoing decommissioning in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Depending on the selected membrane process configuration, a 60–85% reduction in chloride and sulfate loads in discharged waters is assumed. The second component concerns the integration of environmental processes with renewable energy sources, in particular photovoltaic (PV) installations located in post-mining areas. A reference scenario involving a 5–10 MWp PV installation is adopted, capable of covering approximately 25–40% of the energy demand of the water treatment system. This integration is intended to reduce operating costs and lower the carbon intensity of the overall system.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2