Acta Geoturistica volume 4 (2013), number 1, 32-38

Underground Track „St. Johannes” Mine & Tourist Route “By the traces of the former ore mining” in the Mirsk Commune as the example of post-mining relics’ management for geotourism

MALWINA KOBYLAŃSKA KGHM CUPRUM Ltd Research & Development Centre ul. gen. Wł. Sikorskiego 2-8, 53-659 Wrocław (E-mail: [email protected])

ABSTRACT This article presents the issues concerning background, preparation and implementation of the project of post-mining relics’ management for geotourism and industrial tourism as regards the economy, technique, environment as well as formal-legal questions. For the last few years mining heritage geotourism has become a rapidly developing branch of geotourism. Also the number of products for tourism stimulating the development of regions has grown. The base for the analyses was the project implemented in the Mirsk Commune (Gierczyn-Krobica-Przecznica area) in Lower Silesia, Poland.

Key words: geoturistic route, post-mining relics, mining heritage, Lower Silesia in Poland

INTRODUCTION integral part of the Monumental Coal Mine “Guido” in Zabrze. The Centre pays its The idea of proper preservation and attention on protecting, promotion and preparation of former mines and post- addition the new values to the industrial mining remnants in aspect of making them heritage relics for touristic purposes. About available for tourists is becoming more and 25 years before creation of the Centre the more popular within local authorities in “Guido” former coal mine was transformed different countries. Within the reasons it into mining museum complex, which in should be mentioned the larger access to 2007 became independent cultural European Union’ funds as well as deeper institution operating under the auspices of understanding of values of post-industrial Zabrze municipality. Two levels open for heritage. The main measurable goals of public at 170 m and 320 m underground such undertakings is increase of tourist within this historical coal mine are well- attractiveness of the region as well as social known and important example of benefits. geotouristic attraction in the Upper Silesian Activity for protecting and disposal of Coal Basin (Dzięgiel, 2011). post-mining heritage for tourism has started The superior institution in Poland in this in Poland on larger scale since 2005 as a area is the National Heritage Board of result of world-wide trends observations in Poland, which has been created on 1st this branch as well as the initiative of the January 2011 as a consequence of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). establishing the new status to the National Thanks to activities of this organization it Centre of Research and Monuments was possible to create the International Documentation. The mission of the Documentation and Research Centre on National Heritage Board of Poland is to Industrial Heritage for Tourism (IDRC- implement the State’s policy concerning the IHT) in September 2008, which is the protection of cultural heritage and its

32 Acta Geoturistica volume 4 (2013), number 1, 32-38 supervision through assuring the best and geotouristic routes, shows that these most comprehensive conditions for ventures have a huge touristic potential preserving it for future generations. In (Mikoś, 2008). These routes were mainly accordance with the strategies of these formed on the base of former gold mines organizations the aim of activities (the Gold Mine in Zloty Stok), salt mines connecting to post-industrial relics’ (the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine), uranium mines protection and preservation is to build a (the Underground Touristic-Educational social shared responsibility and to preserve Route in the Old Uranium Mine in Kletno) sustainable development rules. It means to as well as coal mines - the Heritage Park of operate with respect to environment Mining “Queen Luiza” in Zabrze. By 2010 protection issues and social matters. six underground post-mining tourist routes open for visitors in Lower Silesia region had been identified (Fijałkowska-Lichwa, EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS BASED 2011). ON HISTORICAL POST-MINING The understanding of the value of post- REMNANTS mining and post-metallurgy objects by their dispatchers as well local and private An active management of industrial investors was in last several years the heritage, along with mining heritage, has a beginning for a number of new wide touristic context. Post-industrial undertakings with the post-industrial and heritage tourism is touristic activity on the geotouristic character. For example only in areas, where the main attraction, and the 2012 were opened: main reason for visits is the heritage.  Touristic Undergroud Route „Groty Within the most valuable, movable Nagórzyckie” in Tomaszów Mazowiecki monuments, their parts or complexes, the (Fig.1), best representative domains for history of  Mining and Smelting Custom Park polish industry are among other things - in Michałkowice, mining and processing. The polish  „Maciej” Shaft in Zabrze, experiences of the owners and  Mining and Smelting Museum in administrators of open, mainly underground Leszczyna.

Fig. 1 Touristic Underground Route “Groty Nagórzyckie”, newly opened in Tomaszów Mazowiecki. Source: www.groty.skansenpilicy.pl

33 Acta Geoturistica volume 4 (2013), number 1, 32-38

Accessory, the additional attractions in mining of tin and cobalt ore located in the existing routes were opened: area of the Mirsk Commune (the Lower  renovated „Regis” Shaft and Mining Silesia in Poland) is connected with the Route within the project titled „the New research and inventory work performed in Adventure Tracks in Monumental the Izerskie Mountains since 1995 by the Wieliczka Salt Mine”, Faculty of Mining at the Wroclaw  Multimedia Museum in Historic Technical University. The results of the Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry, mentioned works aroused the interest of the  European Center of Technical government of the Mirsk Commune who Culture and Industrial Tourism (Part I) in started works aim to assessment of Mining Museum „Queen Luise” in Zabrze. technical and environmental conditions of The planned openings in 2013 and 2014 such initiative. In the area among Kotlina, are: Gierczyn and Przecznica over 20 post-  „Główna Kluczowa Dziedziczna” mining objects were found and identified Adit in Zabrze, (Fig. 2). There are objects related to mainly  „Multimedia Project in the Lill non-ferrous mining and metallurgy of tin Górna and Kazanów chambers” in and cobalt ore excluding mine waste rock Monumental Wieliczka Salt Mine, dumps from the deposit first working and  „Middle Ages Technique Park” next exploitation. These objects were: post- to Touristic Underground Route in Złoty shafts holes, collapsed adits with different Stok, conditions, open-pit and underground  Underground Track „St. Johannes” excavations relics, swelling remnants, drain Mine & Tourist Route “By the traces of the adits relics, the ruins of post-mining former ore mining” in the Mirsk Commune. buildings from 40. and 50. of 20th Century The last one of these projects served the as well as waste rock dumps (mentioned author as the example for analysis of above). conditions for implementation of the The condition of these objects showed programmes of post-mining heritage that they were improperly closed and management connecting with fulfilling the liquidated as well as reclamated. The targets of industrial tourism. inventory works pointed out that all holes and their surrounding are the places of storage and waste dumps with mainly PREPARATION FOR POST-MINING garbage waste but also hazardous waste. It RELICS’ MANAGEMENT FOR was supposed that one of the adits might be GEOTOURISM IN THE MIRSK used for sewage disposal to surface and COMMUNE underground water which is a threat for water environment but also for human The origin of every undertaking with the health (shaft wells). In connection with the geotouristic character is a disclosure of needs of these environmental problems object or objects complex of cultural solving, the Mirsk Commune launched the heritage, so in the case of post-mining investment co-financed by the European object these is often a disclosure of Union, within the Regional Operative collapsed entrance of adit or shaft. It is Programme for the Lower Silesia for the unfortunately and very often connected period 2007–2013 (Priority 4 – with a health and life hazard of humans or Environment and Ecological Security, animals. It is made for example through the Operation 4.5 – Reclamation of degraded finding of the post-exploitation cavern as a territories) – project which name is: hole in land surface. The origin of the „Reclamation of territories degraded by program whose purpose is management of mining activities in the area of the Mirsk the installations related to the former Commune and establishing the tourist route

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Fig. 2 The area of the tourist route “By the traces of the former ore mining”. Source: photo by M. Kobylańska.

– By the traces of the former ore mining”. start of implementation of the project took The direct purpose of the project of place on 01.07.2010 and the official end establishing the mentioned geotourist route was in July 2013. The following phases of has been related to the reclamation of the undertaking were determined: territories degraded by former mining  different surveys and analyses, activities within the area of the Mirsk  detailed environmental and mining Commune, among the indirect ones have inventories, been the environmental, recreational and  elaboration of project and holiday purposes, cognitive and educational calculation documentation, and scientific purposes, as well as the  elaboration of environmental impact elimination of dangers resulting from assessment, wrong excavation closure and from the  realization of underground parts of existence of post-exploitation vacuums, the geotouristic route, enhancing the tourist attractiveness of the  realization of the track and region, protection of the cultural heritage of accompanying infrastructure. the area and its social and economic development (Feasibility Study, 2009). Within the programme implementation The agreement for funding the project the complex reclamation of the post-mining between the Magistrate and Commune of installations in the area between Krobica – Mirsk and the Board of Lower Silesia Gierczyn – Przecznica (38 hectars of Government was concluded on 27.01.2010. reclamated surface), for the forest-tourist In the result of the bid the main executor of route has been performed and the tourist- works has became KGHM CUPRUM Ltd didactic route with over a dozen of sites has Research and Development Centre who been established which present the history cooperates with the specialist mining works and relicts of the former mining activities company (the consortium agreement). The for tin and cobalt ore in this area. The area

35 Acta Geoturistica volume 4 (2013), number 1, 32-38 covered by the programme is located within DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONDITIONS the Northern Slopes of the Kamienickie CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION Mountain Range in the Izerskie Mountains, OF THE PROJECT between the valley of the Krobica Stream in the West and the valley of the Przecznica Despite a big amount of environmental Stream in the East. and social advantages of planned The post-mining relicts covered with the undertaking on the project, building and programme was mainly the groups of operational stages in the light of geological excavations and the remaining land and mining law it didn’t get any special infrastructure of the former mines: „Sct. preferences and was treated from the very Maria – Anna”, „Drei Brüder” and beginning as a standard investment. In „Frederic Wilhelm” in Przecznica, „Reicher environmental aspect the most important Trost” in Gierczyn, „St. Carol” and conditions of the project were: „Hundsrücken” in Kotlina, „St. Johannes”  locating the whole area of the and „Leopold” in Krobica, as well as project within the NATURE 2000 area – feeding waters within the Dzieża Stream. the Special Protection Area for Birds OSO The most important part of the route named – Izerskie Mountain (PLB 020009 code), „By the traces of the former ore mining” is  locating the area of the project however the underground tourist route partly within the currently establishing called „St. Johannes Mine” in Krobica, NATURE 2000 area – the Special established on the base of historic Protection Area for Habitats – the Meadows excavations from the period 1576 – 1816, of Izerskie Mountains and Highlands (PLH whose length reaches about 350 m (Fig. 3). 020102 code),  the presence of protected bat populations in some underground excavations, which was connected with getting from the Monument Conservator in Wroclaw the special decision related to instructions and works operation (for example chiropterology works),  running the detailed environmental inventories of mining objects and areas which were selected for reclamation,  efficient surface and underground objects cleaning from the different types of waste materials with hazardous waste included (together 8 types of waste materials).

In technical aspect the most important conditions of this undertaking in the opinion of the executors and contractors were:  safety removal of specific exploitation waste materials which arised during the prospectors works, with

Fig. 3 The interior of the underground track „St. ferruginous ore pulps from the floor, roof Johannes” Mine in Krobica. Source: photo by M. and side walls of “St. Leopold” adit, Madziarz.  using part of the waste (exploitation waste materials included) in the recovery

36 Acta Geoturistica volume 4 (2013), number 1, 32-38 process which consists in liquidation some cases also the rest places have been adjacent excavations, mainly dangerous for organized. The track was projected for people and animals, and using them for pedestrian movement but some of its parts example for stabilizing of excavations of can be cycled by bike. The most attractive “St. Carol” mine, part of the route named „By the traces of  minimization of interventions in the former ore mining” is however the current state of the post-mining remnants in underground tourist route called „St. the project area aim to preserve their Johannes Mine” in Krobica which has the historical character, especially in case of exhibition pavilion with some exhibitions, underground excavations from the period for example mining tools, archive maps and between the 16th and 19th centuries (“St. plans as well as some exhibits of the local Johannes” Mine), ore (Fig. 4). This part of the route had been  running the archaeological equipped with necessary small architecture inspection during all technical works in elements and facilities for the visitors. historical places of tin and cobalt The visiting of the complex of adits goes exploitation in this region and on with the well-educated guide. There are documentation works (Madziarz et al., also some plans for demonstrations of 19th 2012). century miners works. The underground part of the track leads by “St. Leopold” adit Within the project several stations and (18th-19th centuries), then by the sloping view terraces have been built aim to small shaft to the level of “St. Johannes” emphasize the touristic advantages adit (16th-18th centuries) about 10 m above. connected with landscapes attractive for The exit of this adit is located adjacent to tourists like panorama of the Mirsk Valley. the Krobica Stream and “St. Johannes” All of 13 stations located on the track is shaft, which fulfills the ventilation function designated by information board and in for the whole underground route.

Fig. 4 The entrance to the exhibition pavilion and underground track „St. Johannes” Mine in Krobica. Source: photo by M. Kobylańska.

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CONCLUSIONS recreational attractions. It seems that in case of „By the traces of the former ore mining” The innovative in the region scale project route all these aspects of geotouristic basing on protection and exposure of the project’ planning and implementation historic mining excavations in the Krobica- mentioned above occur in proper Gierczyn-Przecznica area and fulfilment of proportions and in accordance with aims its main purpose – performing complex regarding to preserving of post-industrial reclamation of this region – required heritage. commitment and cooperation of the many experts mainly in the field of mining, geology, environmental protection and REFERENCES ecology, archaeology (including mining archaeology) as well as mining and DZIĘGIEL M., The “Guido” historical coal mine in Zabrze as the example of geotourism in the building law. Knowledge, experience and Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Acta Geoturistica, commitment of the interdisciplinary project 2011, vol. 2, no. 1, s. 8-15 team have resulted in efficient solution of Feasibility Study for the Project „Rekultywacja all problems occurring and in compliance obszarów zdegradowanych działalnością with many formal-legal and technical- górniczą na terenie Gminy Mirsk oraz utworzenie ścieżki turystycznej - Śladami environmental conditions within the project dawnego górnictwa kruszców”, oprac. KGHM realization. CUPRUM Sp. z o.o. – Centrum Badawczo- The other element which is a condition of Rozwojowe, Wrocław, czerwiec 2009 successful implementation of the project FIJAŁKOWSKA-LICHWA L., Podziemne trasy with such peculiarity is a commitment of turystyczne wizytówką regionu – Dolny Śląsk, Materiały Geo-Sympozjum Młodych Badaczy local government and providing conditions Silesia 2011, Współczesne trendy w naukach o for the expansion of potential for the Ziemi - Cieszyn 2011, Wydział Nauk o Ziemi, regional economy and tourism, everything Sosnowiec, s. 5-13 linked to the proper governing of the new MADZIARZ M., MIZERA A., DĘBKOWSKI R., tourist attraction. That is nevertheless the Projekt „Rekultywacja obszarów zdegradowanych działalnością górniczą na continuation, the last stage of investment terenie gminy Mirsk z utworzeniem ścieżki - process which results, as the author Śladami dawnego górnictwa kruszców” jako believes, will be served for the promotion koncepcja kompleksowych działań w zakresie of post-mining heritage of Lower Silesia in ochrony i wykorzystania dziedzictwa górniczego Poland and abroad. It should be also Dolnego Śląska, [w:] P.P. Zagożdżon i M. Madziarz (red.), Dzieje Górnictwa – element emphasized that this last but crucial stage of europejskiego dziedzictwa kultury, tom 4, geotouristic projects is maximization its Wrocław 2012, s. 273-289 market value within operational activity. In MIKOŚ T., Górnicze skarby przeszłości. Od this point of view on the basis of new kruszcu do wyrobu i zabytkowej kopalni, tourist infrastructure and its potential the Kraków 2008 ZAGOŻDŻON P.P., ZAGOŻDŻON K.D., system of short-term and long-term Udostępnione pogórnicze obiekty podziemne activities for taking advantage of it should Dolnego Śląska jako zaplecze geoturystyczne, be planned and implemented. Przegląd Geologiczny, Vol. 61, 2013, Nr 1, s. Another problematic issue is that some 19-24 geotouristic projects including underground Internet sources: tracks pass over reliable geologic www.ihtourism.pl information, focusing particularly on www.groty.skansenpilicy.pl information about mining history (Zagożdżon & Zagożdżon, 2013) as well as

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