Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the Coal Mine Sector in Poland

LIFE18 ENV/GR/000019

“Demonstration of an advanced technique for eliminating coal mine wastewater (brines) combined with resource recovery” Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for Deliverable A.2.: the coal mine sector in Poland

ACTION A.1 Technical planning (tender documents, permits, Circular Economy Plan)

Prepared by:

Due date of Deliverable: March 2020 Revised Deliverable: September 2020

Project Partners: DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the Deliverable coal mine sector in Poland Action A.1: Technical planning (tender documents, Related Action permits, Circular Economy Plan) Deliverable Lead SEALEAU Dr.Dimitris Xevgenos Author(s) Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri Lead authors: Dr Dimitris Xevgenos, Kallirroi Panteleaki- Name of researcher(s) with roles Tourkodimitri Contributions: Grzegorz Gzyl Contact [email protected] Grant Agreement Number LIFE18 ENV/GR/000019 Instrument LIFE PROGRAMME Project Start 1/9/2019 Duration 54 months Date last update 30 September 2020 Website https://brinemining.eu/en/home/

Revision No. Date Description Author 0.1 20 November 2019 1st Draft Dr. Dimitris Xevgenos 0.2 20 February 2020 2nd Draft Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri 0.3 5 March 2020 Section 3 Dr. Dimitris Xevgenos 0.4 9 March 2020 Section 1 Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri 0.5 17 March 2020 Section 4 Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri 0.6 18 March 2020 Section 4 Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri 1.0 27 March 2020 Finalization of 1st version Dr. Dimitris Xevgenos 1.1 2 April 2020 Section 4 Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri 1.2 3 April 2020 Section 5 Dr. Dimitris Xevgenos 1.3 13 April 2020 Section 4.3 Dr. Dimitris Xevgenos 1.4 13 May 2020 Finalization of 2nd version Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri 1.5 28 September 2020 Section 6 + Finalize Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri deliverable 2.0 30 September 2020 Finalization of 2nd version Kallirroi Panteleaki Tourkodimitri, Dr. Dimitris Xevgenos

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Acknowledgements This report was produced under co-finance of the European financial instrument for the Environment (LIFE+) as the second Deliverable (DA.2) of the first Action (Action A1) of the Project “LIFE BRINE- MINING” (LIFE18 ENV/GR/000019) during the implementation of its second Sub-Action (Sub-Action A.1.2) on the “Setting the Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland”. The LIFE BRINE-MINING team would like to acknowledge the European financial instrument for the Environment (LIFE+) for financial support. Disclaimer

The information included herein is legal and true to the best possible knowledge of the authors, as it is the product of the utilization and synthesis of the referenced sources, for which the authors cannot be held accountable. Abstract

This report presents a preliminary circular economy plan for the coal mine sector in Poland. Firstly, an overview of the application of hard coal in both Europe and Poland is provided. Furthermore, its impacts on the environment are pointed out and the need to move towards circular economy solutions, such as LIFE BRINE-MINING project, is highlighted. Following, the methodology applied in this deliverable is presented, following the design cycle methodology. Subsequently, the case study of the Dębieńsko plant circular economy approach in Poland is thoroughly presented and assessed, as it comprises the first Zero Liquid Discharge system to treat coal mine brine effluent and recover also water and saleable salts. In addition, a comprehensive stakeholder and market analysis are performed which is divided into three parts; the implementation; the commercialization and the financing of LIFE BRINE-MINING project. Lastly, the most relevant policy documents for the development of a Circular Economy Action Plan were screened and new actions were planned for months ahead regarding the LIFE BRINE-MINING project. Keywords ▪ Brine concentration ▪ Chloride releases ▪ Circular economy plan ▪ Coal mine wastewater ▪ Desalination ▪ Energy transition ▪ Hard coal deposits ▪ Lignite deposits ▪ Polish coal mine sector ▪ Reverse Osmosis ▪ Salt crystallization ▪ Desalination ▪ ESI Fund

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Table of Contents 1 Introduction ...... 12 1.1 Coal classification ...... 12 1.2 The case of Europe ...... 12 1.2.1 Importance of coal for Europe ...... 12 1.2.2 Environmental impact of coal ...... 14 1.3 The case of Poland ...... 18 1.3.1 Polish coal mine sector ...... 18 1.3.2 Environmental problem targeted ...... 26 1.3.3 Towards Circular Economy - Coal mine sector in Poland ...... 28 2 Methodology ...... 30 3 Dębieńsko Case Study...... 32 3.1 Background ...... 32 3.2 Technical analysis ...... 36 3.2.1 Mass balance & chemistry ...... 36 3.2.2 Processes and Technologies ...... 37 3.2.3 Energy requirements ...... 52 3.3 Uses of salt produced ...... 54 3.4 Economics ...... 54 3.5 Site Visit ...... 58 3.5.1 Site visit details ...... 58 3.5.2 Description of Site ...... 58 3.5.3 Key learnings ...... 58 4 Stakeholder & Market Analysis ...... 59 4.1 Implementation of LIFE BRINE-MINING project ...... 59 4.1.1 Target audience (A): Investor Community ...... 59 4.1.2 Target audience (B): Coal mine Industry ...... 61 4.1.3 Target audience (C): Other end-users/ process industries ...... 69 4.1.4 Target audience (D): End-users of materials recovered ...... 73 4.1.5 Target audience (E): Policy makers ...... 75 4.1.6 Target audience (F): Waste management sector & incineration plants ...... 76

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

4.2 Commercialization of LIFE BRINE-MINING Project ...... 80 4.2.1 LIFE-BRINE MINING system ...... 80 4.2.2 Commercialization Strategy...... 81 4.3 Financing of a BRINE-MINING project ...... 86 4.3.1 European Structural & Investment (ESI) Fund ...... 86 4.3.2 The new Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) programme and the Just Transition Fund 91 5 Preliminary Circular Economy Action Plan ...... 97 5.1 Connection to existing relevant action plans ...... 97 5.2 Preliminary Circular Economy Action Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland ...... 98 5.3 Planning ahead ...... 100 6 Conclusions ...... 101 7 References ...... 103

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

List of figures

Figure 1-1. Coal production in Europe 2018 (Source: EURACOAL Market Report, 2019) ...... 15 Figure 1-2. Type of mine operation and depth of coal mines in EU (Source: Dias et al., 2018) ...... 16 Figure 1-3. Environmental impacts of coal mining, processing and coal utilization (Source: Mamurekli, 2010) ...... 17 Figure 1-4. Hard coal and lignite reserves in Poland (Source: Adapted by Musial et al., 2016) ...... 18 Figure 1-5. Coal production in Poland in physical tons (left axis) and tons of oil equivalent (right axis) (1993 – 2019) ...... 20 Figure 1-6. Contribution of sectors in coal consumption in Poland for 2017 (Source: IEA, 2017) ...... 21 Figure 1-7. Coal consumption by type in Poland for 2017 (Source: IEA, 2017) ...... 21 Figure 1-8. Electricity generation mix of selected EU countries (2015 data) ...... 22 Figure 1-9. Coal production by type in Poland (1993 – 2018) ...... 23 Figure 1-10. Map with active and abandoned hard coal mines in Poland ...... 25 Figure 1-11. Ecological status or potential of surface water bodies in Poland ...... 26 Figure 1-12. Impact on mine water discharges on surface waters in the USCB (Source: Gzyl et al., 2017) ..... 27 Figure 1-13. Production of hard coal in EU, 1990-2018 (Source: Eurostat, 2019) ...... 28 Figure 2-1. Research methodology: research framework (left) and design (right) (Source: Wieringa, 2014) .. 31 Figure 3-1. Milestones of Zero Liquid Discharge project at Dębieńsko (1988 – 2020) (left), location and view of the Dębieńsko plant (right)...... 35 Figure 3-2. Mass balance, Dębieńsko (Source: Ericsson & Hallmans, 1996) ...... 36 Figure 3-3. Updated Process Flow diagram (Source: personal communication with PGWiR, 2016) ...... 38 Figure 3-4. (a) Top diagram: Process flow diagram, Dębieńsko (Source: Ericsson & Hallmans, 1996); (b) Photos at the bottom taken during the site visit (June 2019) ...... 39 Figure 3-5. Spiral Wound Membrane Elements ...... 41 Figure 3-6. MVR Brine Concentrator (top) and seeded slurry technology (bottom) (Source: Heins & Schooley, 2012) ...... 45 Figure 3-7. Lamella clarifier ...... 46 Figure 3-8. View of the SCADA representation of crystallizer set-up, Dębieńsko...... 49 Figure 3-9. MVR Crystallizer ...... 50 Figure 3-10. Detention ponds for the sedimentation of gypsum ...... 52 Figure 3-11. Energy requirements, Dębieńsko plant ...... 53 Figure 3-12. Produced salt, Dębieńsko ...... 55

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-13. Packaging of salt ...... 56 Figure 3-14. Contractual structure of the “Dębieńsko” Zero Liquid Discharge case ...... 57 Figure 4-1. Annual investment needs for sustainable development in the EU (EUR BN) (Source: European Commission, 2018) ...... 59 Figure 4-2. Location of coal mines discharge in the Vistula river and the sum of chloride and sulphate ions in 2015 (Source: Adapted by Kasprzak et al., 2016)...... 64 Figure 4-3. “Olza” pipeline system (Source: JSW, 2018) ...... 66 Figure 4-4. Map with the operating and abandoned mines in the USCB in Poland ...... 67 Figure 4-5. Chlorides Releases per industrial activity (Source: E-PRTR, 2017)...... 69 Figure 4-6. Salt consumption per industrial activity, Europe ...... 73 Figure 4-7. Salt-in-brine consumption per industrial activity, Poland ...... 74 Figure 4-8. Municipal waste treated in 2009 by country and treatment category, sorted by percentage of landfilling (as a percentage of municipal waste treated) (Source: Eurostat, 2011) ...... 76 Figure 4-9. Waste-to-energy projects (existing and planned) in Poland (Source: Chatelin, 2016) ...... 77 Figure 4-10. POZNAŃ project overview ...... 79 Figure 4-11. Water Desalination Market – Value Chain (Source: Adroit Market Research, 2018) ...... 83 Figure 4-12. Commercialization Strategy of LIFE BRINE-MINING project ...... 84 Figure 4-13. EU budget by fund (2014-2020) ...... 86 Figure 4-14. European Structural and Investment Funds, by theme (left) and by theme and country (right) . 88 Figure 4-15. Financial allocations by country. Note: ERDF is marked with blue and CF is marked with orange (2014-2020) (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/funding/available-budget/) ...... 89 Figure 4-16. EU contribution by fund, Poland (2014-2020) (Source: https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/countries/PL) ...... 90 Figure 4-17. ESIF, EU contribution by theme and fund, Poland (2014-2020) ...... 90 Figure 4-18. European Green Deal Investment Plan & Just Transition Mechanism budget (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_24) ...... 93 Figure 4-19. Just Transition Mechanism budget allocation by EU country ...... 95 Figure 4-20. Proposed areas for receiving funding under the Just Transition Fund in Poland ...... 96

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

List of tables

Table 1-1. Coal classification ...... 12 Table 1-2. World’s largest coal-producing (top) and coal consuming (bottom) countries (2015) ...... 13 Table 1-3. List with operating coal mines and companies in Poland ...... 24 Table 3-1. Chemical consumption ...... 34 Table 3-2. Feed to Brine Concentrators (design values) ...... 37 Table 3-3. Purge stream composition ...... 51 Table 3-4. Salts produced from mine drainage, Dębieńsko plant ...... 54 Table 3-5. Expenses and Revenues of Dębieńsko Desalination plant ...... 54 Table 4-1. Indicative list of investors ...... 60 Table 4-2. Quantity of saline water discharged into surface water and their salinity ...... 61 Table 4-3. Load of saline waters and salt in regards to coal output in years 2008 – 2015 ...... 62 Table 4-4. Main characteristics of hard coal enterprises in Poland ...... 63 Table 4-5. Operating coal mines which discharge saline mine water with the place of discharge and charge of l- 2- C + SO4 ions ...... 65 Table 4-6. Water chemistry data (2007 – 2008) from the mines that CZOK is actively dewatering ...... 68 Table 4-7. List with Polish process industries generating chloride releases ...... 70 Table 4-8. Production of salt in Poland, 2011-2015 ...... 73 Table 4-9. Summary of ongoing WtE projects - technical data (Source: Cyranka et al., 2016) ...... 78 Table 4-10. Just Transition Mechanism budget allocation by EU country ...... 94 Table 5-1. List with relevant key actions included in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan ...... 99

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Abbreviations and Acronyms

AMF Asylum and Migration Fund BC Brine Concentrator BKB Brown Coal Briquettes BMI Border Management Instrument BREF Best Available Technique Reference Document CACR Compound Annual Growth Rate CEAP Circular Economy Action Plan CF Cohesion Fund CZOK (polish) Central Department of Mine Dewatering EAFRD European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development EC European Commission EMFF European Maritime & Fisheries Fund E-PRTR European Pollution Release and Transfer Register ERDF European Regional Development Fund ESF European Social Fund ESF+ European Social Fund Plus ESI European Structural and Investment EU European Union EWIW Extractive Waste Influenced Water ISF Internal Security Fund LSCB Lower Silesian Coal Basin MSWI Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators MVR Mechanical Vapor Recompression OP mining Open Pit mining OPs Operational Programmes PFD Process Flow Diagram PODs Points of Difference RBMP River Basin Management Plan RCC Resources Conservation Company RO Reverse Osmosis SCADA Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition SHMP Sodium Hexametaphosphate TDS Total Dissolved Solids TOs Thematic Objectives TSS Total Suspended Solids UG mining Underground mining UN United Nations USCB Upper Silesia Coal Basin WFD Water Framework Directive WtE Waste-to-Energy YEI Youth Employment Initiative ZLD Zero Liquid Discharge

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Executive Summary

The Europe Union comprises one of the major consumers of coal worldwide. The leading hard coal producer in Europe is Poland, accounting for approximately 83.4% (63.4 million tons) of the production in 2018. Poland, as by far the largest coal producer delivers high value to the EU, but this comes with a high environmental cost at national (or even regional) level. The exploitation of the hard coal mines leads to the generation of vast amounts of salty wastewater effluents (brines) which have severe environmental impacts. A LIFE project called LIFE BRINE-MINING (LIFE18 ENV/GR/000019) started in 2019 intending to eliminate this environmental problem and enable the coal industry to follow circular economy practices. This report presents the first results of the LIFE BRINE-MINING project to develop a circular economy action plan for the coal sector in Poland. As a first step, a theoretical background on the current position of coal in Europe and more specifically in Poland is provided to act as a stepping stone for the development of the circular economy plan (Section 1). At the European level, coal comprises one of the main fuels of the EU economy, making a major contribution to energy security in approximately half of the member countries. However, the coal mine industry is creating an alarming impact on water quality and water management. Coal mines generate vast amounts of saline wastewaters that are characterized by high contents of chlorides and sulfates. The direct drainage of these streams to water bodies causes severe pollution and increased salinity levels. Poland hosts the largest number of coal mines with the exploitable hard coal reserves to be concentrated in two regions, namely Upper Silesia Coal Basin (USCB) and the Lublin Basin. USCB accounts for 78.9% of the total hard coal reserves and is one of the most impacted and transformed areas in Europe. Today there are 18 hard coal mines in Poland, owned and operated by 5 coal mine industries and several abandoned mines, most of which are still being pumped. Mine waters from these mines are typically discharged into tributaries of the upper Wisła (Vistula) and upper Odra (Oder) rivers, resulting in severe environmental impacts. The salination of these rivers is the cause of losses in industry, agriculture and water transport. Although coal is still important for many European countries, its role of coal is decreasing, as part of the ongoing transformation of the energy system. Both at European and national level, hard coal production showed a decrease of 53% - 80% from 1990 to 2019. Furthermore, even though the coal production declines, the need for treatment of saline water from mining activities in Poland will continue to exist since not only the active ones but also the majority of the mines that are or will be abandoned have to be continuously dewatered. After the establishment of the required background, the methodology applied in this deliverable is presented (Section 2). It follows the design cycle methodology to ensure that the produced research results are relevant to, and thus useful for, the identified stakeholders. The following five stages are applied: 1) Background studies; 2) Problem identification; 3) Design and Development; 4) Design validation and 5) Communication.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Furthermore, the case study of the Dębieńsko plant circular economy approach in Poland is thoroughly presented and assessed (Section 3). Dębieńsko Coal Mines was the 1st plant globally to apply Zero Liquid Discharge system to treat coal mine brine effluent and recover also water and saleable salts. In this section, all the key information regarding Dębieńsko plant are presented. Firstly, the required background is provided. Following, technical analysis is performed regarding the mass and energy balances along with the applied processes and technologies. Finally, the economics of the plant are presented. Subsequently, a comprehensive stakeholder and market analysis is performed (Section 4). This section is divided into three parts; the implementation; the commercialization and the financing of LIFE BRINE-MINING project. In the first part, all the relevant stakeholders are identified, and their main characteristics are presented. They are divided into the following target audiences: a) Investor Community; b) Coal mine industry; c) Other end-users/process industry; d) End-users of materials recovered; e) Policymakers and f) Waste management sector. Following, a 3-phase commercialization strategy is presented. The market, growth rates and trend for each of the groups of stakeholders targeted, namely mining, process and desalination industries, at the three commercialization phases of LIFE BRINE-MINING project are presented. Finally, the main funding tools from the European Commission are presented and examined to seek opportunities for the establishment of collaboration for the full-scale implementation of the project. Lastly, in the absence of a framework to establish a Circular Economy Action Plan for a specific sector, the most relevant policy documents were screened (Section 5). Moreover, all the relevant key actions included in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan were reviewed and three new actions were planned for 6 months ahead. Lastly, the conclusions are drawn.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

1 Introduction

1.1 Coal classification There are many definitions and classifications of coal resources. These can vary in the literature depending on the properties that are used to subdivide the coal into different classes e.g. scientific (physical, chemical, petrographic), technical (calorific value, plasticity), commercial etc. With the view to avoid confusion, the different classifications of coal resources are presented in Table 1-1, along with the broadly equivalent terms used.

Table 1-1. Coal classification

According to physical characteristics According to use

Coking coal Metallurgical coal

Anthracite Hard Coal

Other bituminous coal Steam coal

Sub-bituminous coal Brown Coal Lignite (Energy coal) Source: [1] 1.2 The case of Europe 1.2.1 Importance of coal for Europe Coal has been classified among the main fuels of the European economy. In 2018, coal accounted for 13.6% of the gross energy consumption in the European Union (EU), along with 18.7% of the electricity generation [2]. The total hard coal production in Europe in 2018 was 76 million tons. As shown in Figure 1-1 the leading hard coal producer in Europe in 2018 was Poland, accounting for approximately 83.4% (63.4 million tons) of the production in EU-28, followed by the Czech Republic with 5.9% (4.4 million tons), Germany with 3.7% (2.8 million tons), the UK with 3.4% (2.6 million tons) and Spain with 3.3% (2.5 million tons). Furthermore, in the wider area of Europe, Ukraine comprises also a significant hard coal producer with 26.1 million tons produced in 2018. If brown coal is also considered, the list of producing countries is further enlarged to include Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia [3]. Furthermore, one of the 30 critical raw materials that has been identified by the European Commission (EC) is coking coal. Its significance lies in the fact that its supply risk is high as a result of the large concentration of supply in China and Australia and its high economic importance due to use in the metallurgy sector [4]. The EU consumption of coking coal is roughly 62.8 Mt on an annual basis. Base metal production (metallurgical sector) accounts for approx. 95% of the total coking coal

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland consumption [5]. The remaining 5% is used for other applications such as alumina refineries, paper manufacturing, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Table 1-2. World’s largest coal-producing (top) and coal consuming (bottom) countries (2015)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

In Figure 1-2 the type of mine operation (OP = Open Pit, UG = underground) and the depth of coal mines in the EU are depicted. These are the main factors that generally influence the effectiveness of a mine. Overall, coal continues to make a major contribution to energy security in approximately half of the member countries. Moreover, according to the Market Report of EUROCOAL (2019), countries that benefit from their indigenous coal and lignite resources are more dependent on coal. Currently, the following Member States (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Poland and Slovakia) are dependent on coal for a minimum 20% of their total energy needs, whereas the dependence of Poland exceeds 50% [5]. In these countries, the energy transition will take longer than in other EU countries. 1.2.2 Environmental impact of coal The coal mine industry could induce several environmental impacts to the environment related to land use, waste management, and water and air pollution. According to the updated BREF document for the Management of Waste from Extractive Industries, preventing and controlling the emissions to water “is of utmost importance in extractive projects”. The dissolved substances that are responsible for the water pollution are divided in two categories: (i) saline drainage in the management of waste from the coal and lignite extraction, (ii) discharge of Extractive Waste Influenced Water (EWIW) with increased salinity (e.g. chlorides) in the management of waste from potash ore extraction [6]. In 2019, Germany was the dominant producer of potash in Europe with 3 million tons, followed by Spain with 0.6 million tons [7]. Water is essential to life on our planet. A prerequisite of sustainable development must be to ensure uncontaminated streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. However, mining industries are creating an alarming impact on water quality and water management both in the region of mining activity but also in the whole country. The major impact of mining is its effect on water quality and availability of water resources. Mining operations disrupt the local groundwater balance both during and after mining and affect surface water in both a quantitative and qualitative way with a consequence to transform the natural aquatic environment and in some cases eliminating of flora and fauna of the river [8]. Coal mines generate vast amounts of saline wastewaters and are characterized by high contents of chlorides and sulfates. The direct drainage of these streams to water bodies causes severe pollution and increased salinity levels. Overall, the wastewater discharged from coal mines in the water streams can compromise water quality, geochemistry, and metal contamination causing a long-term impact on the ecosystem [9]. Specifically, the high salinity levels of surface water limit the possibility of using water from rivers for municipal purposes as well as for agriculture and industrial purposes. Besides, the discharge of mine waters with high salinity and high content of chlorides and sulfates makes it impossible to achieve the environmental objectives obliged by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 1-1. Coal production in Europe 2018 (Source: EURACOAL Market Report, 2019)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 1-2. Type of mine operation and depth of coal mines in EU (Source: Dias et al., 2018)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Moreover, secondary salination has an impact at the individual, population, community and ecosystem levels, which ultimately leads to a reduction in aquatic biodiversity. Excessive exposure caused by increasing salinity load can lead to the death of organisms living in contaminated ecosystems, which in turn, may contribute to the total biological degradation of the water reservoir and subsequent water shortage. The level of chloride and sulfate concentration becomes more harmful for the environment due to the abrupt changes in the concentration of the water body. This is due to gradual adaptation phenomena of bacteria, algae invertebrates and fish, and whole mixed communities of organisms, to elevated salinity [10]. In Figure 1-3, the environmental impacts of coal mining, processing and coal utilization are presented.

Figure 1-3. Environmental impacts of coal mining, processing and coal utilization (Source: Mamurekli, 2010)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

1.3 The case of Poland 1.3.1 Polish coal mine sector Poland hosts the largest number of coal mines, followed by Spain, Germany and Bulgaria. In 2018, 63.4 out of the 76 million tons were produced in Poland (see also Figure 1-1). The exploitable hard coal reserves are concentrated in two regions, namely Upper Silesia Coal Basin (USCB) and the Lublin Basin at the eastern part of Poland (see also Figure 1-4), with the USCB hard coal reserves accounting for 78.9% of the total (EURACOAL, 2020). There are some hard coal deposits in the Lower Silesian Coal Basin (LSCB) but their exploitation has stopped since the ’90s.

Figure 1-4. Hard coal and lignite reserves in Poland (Source: Adapted by Musial et al., 2016)

There are approximately 400 coal seams at USCB and Lublin basin, with almost half of them being economically workable. The lignite mines are located in the western part of the country. All lignite

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland mines are open-pit mines, as such their exploitation does not generate wastewater effluent. On contrary, all bituminous (hard) coal mines comprise underground mines (average working depth: 600 meters, with some over 1,000 meters); their exploitation generates salty wastewater effluents (brines); the discharge of which causes environmental degradation of the receiving water bodies (see also Section 1.3.2). Regarding coal production in Poland, there is a clear downward trend from approx. 131,400 thousand tons produced in 1993 to approx. 61,500 thousand tons in 2019. The data for coal production in Poland between 1993 and 2018 both in physical tons and tons of oil equivalent are provided in Figure 1-5. Through exponential regression we estimated the following equation (with R-squared value: 95.2%): 푦 = 140,080 ∙ 푒−0.0308∙푥

Using the above equation, we may estimate by extrapolation the coal production to approx. 43,000 thousand tons by 2030 and to approx. 23,530 by 2050. What is especially important in the aspect of the European Green Deal willing to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. With reference to the coal consumption, industry and the residential sector account for the largest share. For example, in 2017 the residential sector consumed 6,554 ktoe accounting for approx. 55.7% of total coal consumption in Poland, followed by the industrial sector with 3,584 ktoe (or 30.4% ), the agriculture & forestry with 969 ktoe (8.2%) and the commercial & public services sector with 668 ktoe (5.7%) (see also Figure 1-6). Concerning the coal consumption by type, other bituminous coal represents by far the largest share of the domestic consumption in Poland. In 2017, 10,521 ktoe of other bituminous coal was consumed in Poland accounting for approx. 90.7% of total domestic coal consumption, followed by coke even coke with 532 ktoe (or 4.6%), blast furnace gas with 269 ktoe (or 2.3%), anthracite with 148 ktoe (or 1.3%), lignite with 116 ktoe (or 1%) and patent fuel, BKB and coking coal accounting for the remaining 20 ktoe (or 0.2%) (see also Figure 1-7). The coal reserves by different type are as follows: hard coal approx. 22.3 billion tons and lignite reserves around 1 billion tons, with a further 61.4 billion tons and 2.3.3 billion tons in resources respectively. Regarding the hard coal reserves, steam coal accounts for approx. 71.6%, followed by coking coal with 27% and other types accounting for the remaining (1.4%).

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 1-5. Coal production in Poland in physical tons (left axis) and tons of oil equivalent (right axis) (1993 – 2019)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 1-6. Contribution of sectors in coal consumption in Poland for 2017 (Source: [12]

Figure 1-7. Coal consumption by type in Poland for 2017 (Source: IEA, 2017)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 1-8. Electricity generation mix of selected EU countries (2015 data)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 1-9. Coal production by type in Poland (1993 – 2018)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Today there are 18 hard coal mines in Poland, owned and operated by 5 coal mine industries (Table 1-3), and several abandoned mines (Figure 1-10), most of which are still being pumped. In 2018, the total mine water discharge in Polish rivers was 182.4 million m3 [13]. Out of the 18 operating coal mines, 16 are discharging their effluents without prior treatment. Mine waters from these mines are typically discharged into tributaries of the upper Wisła (Vistula) and upper Odra (Oder) rivers (Janson, 2009).

Table 1-3. List with operating coal mines and companies in Poland

No Coal Mine Coal mine company 1 KWK Borynia-Zofiówka Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa JSW Group 2 KWK Budryk (5 mines) 3 KWK Knurów Szczygłowice 4 KWK Pniówek 5 KWK Jaworzno-Bzie 6 KWK ROW Polska Grupa Górnicza PGG 7 KWK Ruda (8 mines) 8 KWK Piast-Ziemowit 9 KWK Sośnica 10 KWK Bolesław Śmiały 11 KWK Wujek 12 KWK Myslowice-Wesola 13 KWK Murcki-Staszic 14 ZG Brzeszcze Tauron Wydobycie 15 ZG Janina (3 mines) 16 ZG Sobieski 17 KWK Silesia Przedsiębiorstwo Górnicze Silesia 18 KWK Bodganka Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A. * Small private mines

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

No. Coal Mine 1 KWK Borynia-Zofiówka-Jastrzębie 2 KWK Budryk

3 KWK Knurów Szczygłowice

4 KWK Pniówek

5 KWK Jaworzno-Bzie

6 KWK ROW

7 KWK Ruda

8 KWK Piast-Ziemowit

9 KWK Sośnica

10 KWK Bolesław Śmiały

11 KWK Wujek

12 KWK Myslowice-Wesola

13 KWK Murcki-Staszic

14 ZG Brzeszcze

15 ZG Janina

16 ZG Sobieski

17 KWK Silesia

18 KWK Bodganka Figure 1-10. Map with active and abandoned hard coal mines in Poland

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

1.3.2 Environmental problem targeted Poland has 10 river basin districts that are all international. In 2019, the second generation of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) under the Water Framework Directive reported that 30.2% of rivers achieved the good status, thus met the requirements set of class III (ecological status: moderate) (see Figure 1-11). According to the Polish Basin Management Plans, the state of rivers is mostly determined by the drainage of and improperly treated industrial wastewater, with the two longest rivers (Vistula and Odra) having significant pressures from mining activities [14]. For many years excessive salt concentration has been found in Vistula River, with 94% of the chlorides originating from hard coal mining activity. The Vistula River contains about 55% of the total freshwater resources in Poland and covers about 60% of the water needs in the country (including the river basin). It is reported that the high salt content in the water from the Vistula prevents its use within agriculture and causes tremendous economic losses due to corrosion attacks on pipes as well as machines and other equipment within industrial activities. The salination of Vistula River is the cause of losses in industry, agriculture and water transport which are estimated to be $100-$250 million per year [15]. The role of salinity as the most influencing factor for surface water quality has been reported in numerous studies.

Figure 1-11. Ecological status or potential of surface water bodies in Poland (Source: European Environment Agency, 2019)

The intense industrial development in the USCB area is derived from the existence of coal and other mineral deposits and their extraction. The cause of concern regarding the mine water quality parameters is given to salinity. Mining areas of hard coal mines comprise approximately 25% of the total catchment area of watercourses in the USCB, including the river basin of the Upper Odra (Oder) River and the Little Wisla River. Exceeding of chloride and sulphate concentration (greater than 300

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland mg/l for chlorides and 250 mg/l for sulphates) together with the impact of mining have been identified in 13 surface water bodies in the Little Wisla water region and 12 surface water bodies in the Upper Odra water region. This means that 15% of surface water bodies in Little Wisla and Upper Odra water region have a bad status due to the mine water discharges (Gzyl et al., 2017). The impact of mine water discharges on surface water in the USCB is shown in Figure 1-12.

Figure 1-12. Impact on mine water discharges on surface waters in the USCB (Source: Gzyl et al., 2017)

Additionally, not only the active ones but also the majority of the mines that are abandoned have to be continuously dewatered, which means that the environmental problem related to the treatment of mine wastewater will still be important in the future. This fact makes Poland exceptionally vulnerable to the management of its water resources and the implementation of the WFD a major challenge. This led the EC to launch an infringement procedure in 2015 [16]. Taking into consideration all the above mentioned as well as the fact that there no cheap and effective methods for decreasing chloride and sulfate concentrations in mine waters in Poland, it can be concluded that as long as coal mining continues, a high load of chlorides and sulfates will be discharged to surface water bodies. As a result, there is an increasing need for management of saline water from mining activities in Poland.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

1.3.3 Towards Circular Economy - Coal mine sector in Poland The EU Circular Economy Action Plan emphasizes the need to move towards a life-cycle-driven ‘circular’ economy, reusing resources as much as possible and bringing residual waste close to zero. As highlighted, the coal is still important for many European countries. However, the role of coal is decreasing, as part of the ongoing transformation of the energy system. The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has led to an increasing share for renewables [5]. As displayed in Figure 1-13, hard coal production showed a decrease of 80% in the last thirty years, from 1990 to 2018.

Figure 1-13. Production of hard coal in EU, 1990-2018 (Source: Eurostat, 2019)

Since the beginning of the 1990s, the Polish mining industry has been going through a process of transformation. Hard coal production decreased from 177.4 million tons in 1989 to 63.4 million tons in 2018, since many of coal mines have been shut down. Despite the significant reduction of mining capacity over almost three decades, Poland remains by far the largest hard coal producer in Europe. However, as already mentioned, the large amount of coal produced in Poland has a direct impact on the environment and more specifically on water quality and water management due to high salinity. Furthermore, even though the coal production declines, the need for treatment of saline water from mining activities in Poland will continue to exist. EU legislation and policy requires that the impact of pressures on transitional, coastal, and fresh waters (including surface and ground waters) to be significantly reduced. For this reason, water quality is of high importance and the WFD defines how to achieve, maintain, or enhance a good status of water bodies. Consequently, to address the problems of water quality and management regarding the coal mine sector in Poland, the LIFE BRINE-MINING project has been developed. Taking into account the Water

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Framework Directive and the Circular Economy package, this project aims to enable the improvement of the coal mining sector in the domain of wastewater management, by eliminating the wastewater discharges from coal mining and recovering of resources included in these effluents. BRINE –MINING solution will comprise a significant contribution to comply with the WFD requirements in Poland and other EU countries facing same challenges by avoiding the discharge of mine effluent, thus the release of chlorides and sulphates in the surface water.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

2 Methodology

The methodology applied in this deliverable follows the design cycle methodology, as adapted by Wieringa (2014), who suggested its marriage with the empirical research resulting in designing first an artifact, and then empirically investigating it. This methodology ensures that the produced research results are relevant to, and thus useful for, the identified stakeholders. This is particularly interesting if the research aims at the validation of innovative technologies before their market uptake. To carry out the research proposed, we will follow the design cycle, which includes the following 5 Phases: Phase 1: Background studies Within this phase, the project team performs desk research, reviewing the existing literature on coal mine activity in Poland. The purpose is to map the coal mines in Poland, as well as identify the project key stakeholders. The success story identified at the proposal preparation stage (Dębieńsko) is further investigated and a site visit is planned to collect necessary data and speak with the system operators and management team. The results are presented in Section 3.

Phase 2: Problem identification To develop the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) for the coal mine sector, the project team will use first the expert knowledge that is available within the project team. Phase 3: Design & development Information regarding the market system mapping including the technical, financial, policy and governance and other aspects (Section 4) are set out and optimized in an iterative process as further explained below.

Phase 4: Design Validation The results are presented in the key project stakeholders in organized settings (stakeholder consultation events). The purpose is to optimize the circular economy action plan in a way to reflect the stakeholders’ goals, interests, and values. The 1st Stakeholder Consultation event is planned for October 2021; three additional events will follow almost in yearly intervals. Most of this work will be done within Action B.5 and Action D.2.

Phase 5: Communication After the CEAP is optimized through the stakeholder consultation events, the final version of the plan will be published (through Action B.5) to relevant target groups and audiences.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Social Context (stakeholders): Design cycle Coal mine companies, salt suppliers, water suppliers, governmental bodies, regulators, policy- and decision-makers & Phase 1: Background studies general public, EU Coal regions platform

Goals, expectations Design budget etc Phase 2: Problem identification

Phase 3: Design & development Improving Answering

Design knowledge questions Phase 4: Design validation

Feedback from New problem- Existing problem- Existing New answers stakeholders solving solving knowledge, answers to knowledge to improve old designs knowledge, new to knowledge questions designs Phase 5: design questions Stakeholder goals met? Evaluation Knowledge Context: Brines management, Thermodynamic simulation, Techno- economic feasibility, business modelling, stakeholder engagement, policy & social sciences Phase 6: Communication

Figure 2-1. Research methodology: research framework (left) and design (right) (Source: Wieringa, 2014)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

3 Dębieńsko Case Study

3.1 Background The high salinity of discharged underground waters creates a very serious problem for the Polish economy, and it is necessary to find methods to control the discharges. Dębieńsko Coal Mines was the 1st plant globally to apply Zero Liquid Discharge system to treat coal mine brine effluent and recover water and saleable salts. Dębieńsko Desalination Plant is an environmental protection installation; its purpose is to desalinate the mine effluents from SRK CZOK Dębieńsko (dewatering of a closed mine) and JSW KWK Budryk (dewatering of an active mine) in the installation. The plant is designed to treat 14,000 m3/day of mine drainage with wastewater chemistry to range from 8,000 to 115,000 mg/L total dissolved solids. Due to the limited capacity of the installation, only the most saline waters (selected water streams with the highest chloride concentration) should be desalinated. Waters for desalination have variable quantitative and qualitative parameters, which results from the current needs and capabilities of suppliers. It results, among others, from technical, operational, economic, and legal conditions occurring at the mine water suppliers. JSW KWK Budryk discharges water with an average chloride content of 20 g/l (ranging between 15 and 30 g/l), and SRK-CZOK Dębieńsko waters with an average chloride content of 50 g/l (ranging between 40 and 70 g / l). It is noted that since November 2019, SRK-CZOK Dębieńsko stopped supplying brine effluent to Dębieńsko desalination plant. The saline water suppliers (JSW and SRK) pay fees per volume of water treated at the Dębieńsko desalination plant. Most of the desalinated water goes to the nearby Bierawka river. It must be mentioned that although there are several papers published on the description of the Dębieńsko case (Ericsson & Hallmans, 1996; Masarczyk et al., 1989; Bostjancic & Ludlum, 2005; Sikora & Szyndler, 2004; Mortazavi, 2008), the information was scattered and in many cases inaccurate either regarding the technical characteristics of the treatment train or/and the exploitation of the secondary materials recovered. To this end, the visit at the Dębieńsko site is considered an important action to validate publicly available data. Below key figures about the Dębieńsko plant are provided. The milestones from the signature of the agreement for its construction until today are illustrated in Figure 3-1.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Ownership PGWiR - part of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) Group (since 2015)

EPC contractor Resources Conservation Company (RCC)1 and Nordcap.

Operation and Maintenance Performed currently by the owner of the plant (PGWiR).

Startup 16 August 1993. Normal operation achieved within 1994.

Economics and finance (Investor/Lenders) CAPEX: $60 million. Source of finance: Polish environmental fund - no external finance was needed.

Chemical consumption See Table 3-1.

Other utilities ▪ Air to the decarbonator in the post-treatment section of the RO: 700 m3/min

Energy consumption (kWh/ton of salt recovered) ▪ 970 kWh/ t (at low chloride concentrations) ▪ 340 kWh/t (at high chloride concentrations)

Industrial clients - mines Salt consumers

Industrial clients – salt off-takers Edible salt market & water softening tablets.

1 In 1993 Ionics acquired the business of Resources Conservation Company (RCC) at the end of 1993 (see also here). General Electric acquired Ionics in 2004. The transaction included $1.1 bn in cash plus about $200 m of debt for a water treatment company (see also here). SUEZ together with Caisse de depot et placemenent du Quebec (CDPQ), acquired the former GE Water & Process Technologies (GE Water) for €2.3 bn enterprise value in an all-cash transaction, effective as of September 30th, 2017 (see also here).

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Table 3-1. Chemical consumption

Chemicals Debiensko Budryk

Pre-treatment 7,970 m3/day 3,510 m3/day

Sulphuric acid 490 g/m3 220 g/ m3

Aluminium sulphate 130 g/ m3 75 g/ m3

Polyelectrolyte 0.6 g/ m3 0.3 g/ m3

Sodium bisulphite 10 g/ m3 5 g/ m3

Chlorine (if used) 1 g/ m3 1 g/ m3

RO section 7,970 m3/day 3,510 m3/day

Sodium hexametaphosphate 10 g/ m3 10 g/ m3

Post-treatment section 8,660 m3/day

3 Lime / Ca(OH)2 37 g/ m

Chlorine 1 g/ m3

Thermal section 4,604 m3/day

Sulphuric acid (96%) 875 g/ m3

Sodium Hydroxide (50%) 3.3 g/ m3

Scale inhibitor 10 g/ m3

Antifoam 6 g/ m3

Crystallizer 100 g/ m3

(Source: [21]

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-1. Milestones of Zero Liquid Discharge project at Dębieńsko (1988 – 2020) (left), location and view of the Dębieńsko plant (right)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

3.2 Technical analysis 3.2.1 Mass balance & chemistry

The mass balance of Dębieńsko desalination plant is provided in Figure 3-2.

A. Brine concentrator Feed flow rate: 92 m3/h Feed TDS: 100 g/l Distillate production: 56 m3/h Waste flow rate: 32 m3/h Waste brine TDS: 300 g/l Sump temperature: 106°C Condenser pressure: 40 kPa Energy consumption: 1,700 kWh=18.5 kWh/m3 ~ feed

B. Crystallizer: Feed flow rate: 67 m3/h Elutriation: 31 m3/h Combination tank: 36 m3/h Distillate production: 50 m3/h Purge flow: 10 m3/h NaC1 production: 12.5 t/h Salt purity: >99.6% Crystallizer vapor body temp.: 111°C Heaters outlet temp.: 114.5°C Compressor discharge pressure: 85 kPa Energy consumption: 2270 kWh/h = 33.9 kWh/m3 feed

Feed composition:

The feed composition has approx. 90,000 ppm (TDS).

More information about the (design values) of the water composition is provided in the table below.

Figure 3-2. Mass balance, Dębieńsko (Source: [20]

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Table 3-2. Feed to Brine Concentrators (design values)

Concentration (mg/L) Ions Feed Debiensko Budryk Budryk raw Major cations Na+ 31,051 28,400 25,200 39,470 Ca2+ 1,063 Mg2+ 944 562 625 1,674 K+ 382 344 425 538 Sr+ 36 23 33 + NH4 16 13 3 30-50 Silica 3 28 60 Major anions Cl- 49,827 43,050 36,420 67,900 2- SO4 3,469 5,480 4,345 2,474 - HCO3 980 944 708 216 - NO3 58 183 101 9 F 5 3 7 TDS 93,800 79,700 68,700 114,000 pH 7 6.6 6.8 7.8

3.2.2 Processes and Technologies

The desalination process in Dębieńsko comprises the following five stages as shown in Figure 3-4:

1 Pretreatment

2 Membrane Filtration using Reverse Osmosis (Desalination)

3 Brine concentration

4 Salt Crystallization

5 Salt Production and Purge Treatment

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-3. Updated Process Flow diagram (Source: personal communication with PGWiR, 2016)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Brine Concentrator Brine Concentrator & Crystallizer

Detention Pond (Purge treatment)

Figure 3-4. (a) Top diagram: Process flow diagram, Dębieńsko (Source: Ericsson & Hallmans, 1996); (b) Photos at the bottom taken during the site visit (June 2019)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Pre-treatment

The pretreatment of the plant was developed in early 1995, that is 2 years after the thermal plant was erected (see also Figure 3-1). The pre-treatment has the target to prevent fouling of the membranes of the Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit that is used in step (2). The wastewater effluents from the two mines are stored in detention ponds, from where they are pumped in the pre-treatment section. The pretreatment results in sludge production of approx. 125 m3/day. Its energy consumption is on average 0.4 kWh/m3 raw feed. Below a short description of the pre-treatment is provided, while a more detailed presentation of the original design can be found elsewhere [20]. The pre-treatment part comprises the following steps: (1) pH adjustment (2) dual media filtration (sand + anthracite) (3) granular activated carbon filtration and (4) scaling prevention through in-line dosage of sodium hexametaphosphate Step 1: pH adjustment, coagulation & flocculation Disinfection may be needed especially for the Budryk plant; chlorination may be used in these cases. 3 The pH of the feedwater is adjusted through the addition of sulfuric acid (H2SO4: 490 g/m of feed @96% concentration). As main coagulant aluminium is used. A polymer (P26) was used to increase the settleability of the chemical sludge. The chemicals described above (disinfection agent, sulfuric acid, alum and polymer) are added in-line in a mixer before the four (4) flocculation tanks. Sludge is collected from the bottom of these flocculation tanks, approx. 280 – 310 m3/day. This sludge, containing approx. 0.5% suspended solids, is firstly thickened and then sent for further management (disposal). Step 2: Dual media filtration This stage is used to remove the agglomerated colloidal particles. The dual media filtration may involve the use of polymer dosage (P26 may be used again) in the feed stream.

Step 3: Granular activated carbon This step is associated with the removal of hydrocarbons that may be present due to potential oil spills. Both in this step and the dual media filtration (Step 2) backwashing is needed, which results in further sludge production; approx. 125-140 m3/day, containing approx. 1.5% suspended solids.

Step 4: Antiscalant addition An antiscalant is added (sodium hexametaphosphate / SHMP) to prevent scaling of calcium sulphate and calcium fluoride in the membranes in the desalination part downstream. Sodium bisulphite is used for dichlorination.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

During the site visit (June 2019), the project team was informed the pre-treatment step is not operational today.

Desalination

According to Ericsson & Hallmans (1996), the erection of the desalination equipment happened at the beginning of 1995 (see also Figure 3-1), while the start-up was planned for July 1995. The desalination unit was employed to concentrate the brine effluent and produce freshwater. The RO system comprises two steps: 1) microfiltration in two filter stages, followed by 2) spiral-wound Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes Step 1: Microfiltration In this step, the pre-treated raw water is introduced to the microfilter section which consists of two filter stages. The first stage has 50 micron baskets and the second stage has 5 micron cartridge filters of the replacement type. Step 2: Reverse Osmosis Regarding the spiral-wound RO membranes, four and three high-pressure pumps of the multi-stage centrifugal type will feed the correspondent RO-lines for Dębieńsko and Budryk, respectively. Each RO-line is composed of two stages for Dębieńsko and three stages for Budryk.

Figure 3-5. Spiral Wound Membrane Elements

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

The RO unit produces two liquid streams; (a) the permeate and (b) the concentrated brine stream (reject). The RO-permeate passes through a draw-back tank, which ensures reversed flow of permeate and prevents membrane dehydration after RO-unit shut-down. The permeate is used for drinking purposes after de-carbonation, chlorination and lime treatment. The RO-reject flows to the feed tank of the thermal plant, with 80,000 to 90,000 mg/l total dissolved solids. Regarding the permeates from Budryk and Dębieńsko, they are mixed and passed through two decarbonators in parallel for the removal of excess carbon dioxide which has been regenerated by the acid dosage in the pretreatment process. A small by-pass flow (30-35 m3/h) will be admixed after the decarbonators to adjust the CO2 concentration at about 44 mg/l. Furthermore, post-treatment with chlorine and calcium hydroxide is required. The chlorine dosage will prevent bacteriological growth in the storage tank and pipes. The calcium hydroxide (lime water) will increase the pH value as well as the temporary hardness of the water to decrease the corrosion risk. A more extensive description of the desalination unit is provided by Masarczyk et al. (1989) and Ericsson & Hallmans (1996). However, the available public literature does not provide any information about the operational status of the desalination unit.

Brine concentration

During the brine concentration, the mine drainage is sent directly to the two Brine Concentrators (BCs) which operate in parallel. These brine concentrators are vertical, falling-film seeded slurry evaporators, equipped with vapor compressors. By using the seed crystal recycling technique, the brine concentrators concentrate the feed up to saturation point for sodium chloride (~26% TDS). This type of evaporators was developed in the early 1970s and is a proprietary technology of RCC company. This proprietary technology was then taken by Ionics and subsequently by General Electric and Veolia. A schematic representation of the brine concentrator is given in Figure 3-6, while a description of the main components is provided below. Information about the process description was also gathered from different companies’ websites2.

2 GEA evaporator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpDTcpLUoYI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNes-0Kb2Qc and Suez ZLD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQsK9VK6L5k

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Feed tank This tank is used to pretreat the feedwater through pH adjustment (sulfuric acid: 875 gram/m3 of feed @96% concentration) and scale inhibition (e.g. CL77: 10 g/m3 of feed). The rest of the chemicals (antifoam and caustic soda) are dosed at the brine sump (see below). The chemistry of the feed brine stream is shown in Table 3-2. Preheater The condensate streams produced by the two brine concentrators and the crystallizer are used to preheat the feed brine stream. The preheating section comprises two (2) flat plate heat exchangers, one is operational and the other one is spare. The temperature of the brine rises approximately to boiling point. This component is not illustrated in Figure 3-6. Deaerator Used to prevent corrosion and scaling of the brine concentrators. This unit removes non-condensable gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. It must be noted that acid dosing is needed to first convert alkalinity to carbon dioxide that can be removed with the deaerator. This component is not illustrated in Figure 3-6. Falling-film heat exchanger & evaporator sump Hot de-aerated brine feed enters the evaporator. This feed is divided into two parallel trains of brine concentrators (BC-1 and BC-2) and it enters the evaporator sump, where it is being mixed with a large volume of brine. Dosing of antifoam (6 g/m3 of feed) and caustic soda (3.3 gram/m3 of feed @50% concentration) is occurring in the BC sump. The brine stream is pumped to the top of a bundle of 5- cm heat transfer tubes, where it falls in a thin film down the inside of the tubes. A portion evaporates, the rest falls back into the sump for recirculation. Compressed vapor flows to the outside of the heat transfer tubes, where its latent heat is given up to the cooler brine slurry falling inside. As the vapor gives up heat, it condenses as distilled water. The distillate is pumped back through the heat exchanger, where it gives up sensible heat to the incoming wastewater.

Recirculation pump Brine from the sump is recirculated up to the flood box. The brine is then distributed into the heat transfer tubes. The liquid is travelling down the tubes coating the inside as a thin-film. As the liquid is travelling down the tube, heat transfer occurs resulting in the formation of (slightly superheated) steam. Both the brine and the steam are travelling in the same direction. For the brine that reaches the sump as a liquid, it mixes with the rest of the brine in the sump. That mixed volume will be then recirculated again at the top. The vapor is drawn up through mist eliminators on its way to the vapor compressor (see Figure 3-6). Vapor compressor & mist eliminators The vapor produced inside the brine concentrator is passed through mesh pad mist eliminators to get rid of brine droplets. The exit from the mist eliminators (droplet-free vapor stream) flows to the

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland vapor compressor, where the pressure is increased. The compressed vapor then travels to the shell- side of the heat transfer tubes of the brine concentrator, where it releases its latent heat. The vapor compressor is driven by a constant speed electric motor. It must be noted that the vapor contains most of the energy that was originally fed into the system. The vapor compressor raises the pressure, as well as the temperature, and as such the vapor can once again be used back in the evaporator to provide more heat required to evaporate fresh brine stream. This energy would otherwise be wasted. Seed recycle system Since sodium chloride would possibly precipitate within the evaporator and since it contains more soluble salts than brine effluent, calcium sulfate (CaSO4) crystals are added as seeds to the input feed solution at the startup. The calcium sulphate is preferentially depositing on the nucleation sites that are developed thanks to the recycled seed crystals. As a result, the salts remain in suspension and precipitation is prevented. The seeds are continuously recycled in a series of liquid hydrocyclones. Distillate collection tank & pump Steam evaporated in the falling-film heat exchanger is compressed and then condensed. This condensate drains into the distillate tank. This tank also plays a significant role in controlling the pressure inside the brine concentrator by venting steam from the tank. A small venting rate to purge non-condensable gases from the system is maintained. Waste/seed tank & pumps Concentrated brine from the two brine concentrators is first collected in the waste/seed tank and then transferred to the CaSO4 separation clarifier by the waste/seed pumps. Caustic tank and pumps The pH of the evaporator sump may be increased with the use of caustic soda to avoid excessive acidity and thus eliminate corrosion risks. Antifoam tank & pumps Antifoam may be used in case of foaming in the evaporator (or/and the crystallizer).

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Brine Concentrator (schematic) Steam at the shell side of the heat exchanger

Mesh pad mist eliminator

Seeding slurry technique Detail from the bottom part of the heat exchanger

View of the deaerator View of the compressor

Figure 3-6. MVR Brine Concentrator (top) and seeded slurry technology (bottom) (Source: Heins & Schooley, 2012)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Lamella clarifier

This processing unit has as its main purpose to remove the calcium sulfate that is in the form of suspended solids. The feed to the lamella clarifier is the effluent from the two Brine Concentrators. A schematic of the lamella clarifier is provided in Figure 3-7.

Figure 3-7. Lamella clarifier

Clarifier underflow The calcium sulfate solids that have settled, are collected at the bottom of the clarifier, where they compact to approx. 25% suspended solids in brine. Through solenoid valves, a small amount of the concentrated calcium sulfate slurry is drained into the underflow tank, which is then collected for further management as waste (disposal). Clarifier overflow The overflow from the lamella clarifier is containing only a small fraction of the calcium sulfate suspended solids. This stream is pumped to the clarifier overflow tank. In this tank, the pH is adjusted for further treatment in the crystallizer set-up downstream. The pH is adjusted by addition of caustic soda. The overflow is split into two streams which are pumped in the following two (2) tanks: (a) the feed surge tank; and (b) the combination tank. Both streams feed the forced circulation crystallizer downstream.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Crystallization

The crystallizer is a forced circulation submerged-tube evaporator equipped with a mechanical vapor compressor (Figure 3-9). The feed stream to the crystallizer has approximately 258,000 ppm total dissolved solids and 3,000 ppm total suspended solids. Before the crystallization step, the exit stream from the brine concentrator is passed through a lamella clarifier for the separation of the suspended calcium sulfate. Feed tank This tank comprises a buffer between the Brine Concentrators and the Crystallizer set-up. The tank has been designed for holding the brine approx. 10 hours at full capacity. It is noted that the boilout cycle of the crystallizer is approx. 8 hours. This tank allows also for the cooling of the brine feed that is used in the elutriation wash step (see below) for washing the crystal product. Combination tank This tank has three (3) sections: (a) the Pebble Dissolver; (b) the Dissolved Section; and (c) the Slurry Section. Crystallizer feed pump The crystallizer feed pump (annotated as “P-022A” in Figure 3-8) is pumping the brine feed from the Dissolved Section (of the combination tank) up to the top of the crystallizer vapor body. Feed preheater The feed brine is pre-heated using steam from the crystallizer. The feed preheater is not illustrated in Figure 3-8. Crystallizer 60% of the concentrated brine is pre-heated into the shell side of two submerged heat exchangers. The concentrated brine is heated to above its boiling point in the brine heater. The brine is kept under pressure to avoid boiling and thus prevents scale formation in the heat exchangers. After pre-heating, the brine is directed at an angle into the crystallization vessel, where it swirls in a vortex. The brine flashes into vapor, which is then compressed through the use of a vapor compressor and subsequently condensed in the exterior surface of the heat exchanger. Two stages of mist elimination (annotated with “KV-9208” in Figure 3-8) are used (chevrons followed by knit wire mesh pad) to remove brine droplets from the evaporated water vapor. Elutriation wash & elutriation leg

As the water vapor is drawn out, precipitating crystals of NaCl and CaSO4 appear in the brine slurry. The larger NaCl crystals sink to the bottom of the elutriation leg where they are blown down from the crystallizer. The elutriation leg of the crystallizer is washed using clarified brine at an appropriate rate; 40% of the prepared brine is sent to the bottom of the elutriation leg to trap the small crystals which return to the crystallization sump and then released with the crystallization purge.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Purge separator To allow high-quality salt production, a portion of the saturated solution is purged from the system. This limits significantly the level of dissolved impurities that may affect the quality of the end-product. The purge line is annotated with “FIC-9219” in Figure 3-8. Crystallizer vapor compressor The heated brine then enters the crystallizer vapor body. Upon entering the vapor body, the heated brine flashes. The flashed vapor in the vapor body flows through the mist eliminator to the vapor compressor. Vapor from the compressor is rounded to the shell side of the shell & tube heater, where it condenses and is recovered as condensate. The crystallizer vapor compressor is driven by a constant speed electric motor. The compressor is annotated as “K-052” in Figure 3-8. Heaters & recirculation pumps Forced circulation is dictated by the high solids producing service. This dictates that a minimum slurry velocity is at least maintained, with a limited temperature increase across the tubes; thus (relatively) high circulation rates are required. Two recirculation pumps (annotated with “P-022A” and “P-022B” in Figure 3-8) are used. Two submerged-tube heat exchangers (heaters) were needed because of the large heating duty. The heaters are annotated with “HX-921A” and “HX-921B” in Figure 3-8. Distillate tank & pumps The steam that is condensed in the two heaters is collected in a distillate tank. This tank is not illustrated in Figure 3-8. Boilout tank The boilout tank is used only for cleaning purposes. The cleaning is performed periodically using distillate water. Brine purge pump and brine pump The (liquid) purge stream is removed from the purge separator that is installed upstream of the recirculating pump “P-022B” in one of the two recirculating circuits. The purge stream drains to the Brine Purge tank (not illustrated in Figure 3-8). The brine purge is stored for proper management as waste (disposal).

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-8. View of the SCADA representation of crystallizer set-up, Dębieńsko

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-9. MVR Crystallizer

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Two pusher centrifuges & fluidized bed dryer

During this step, the salt is removed from supersaturated brine in two pusher centrifuges before the drying operation. The dryer is a fluidized bed dryer-cooler equipped with an air heater fed with saturated steam. Pusher centrifuges The salt slurry (NaCl product crystals suspended in brine) from the Slurry Section of the Combination Tank (see Section 3.2.2.5) is transferred through the centrifuge pump to the Centrifuge Thickener vessel. Following, the Centrifuge Thickener vessel feeds the salt slurry under constant head to the Centrifuges. At the same time, the salt slurry thickens as it settles. Constant head for feeding the Centrifuges is achieved by supplying a little more salt slurry to the Centrifuge Thickener than required to feed the Centrifuges. This results in a small overflow of clarified brine which drains to the Dissolved Section of the Combination Tank, where it will be returned to the crystallizer Feed Preheater as feed brine. The concentrated product salt slurry drains from the bottom of the Centrifuge Thickener vessel to both of two 75% capacity pusher type centrifuges operating in parallel. The Dual Centrifuges dewater the NaCl crystals before the drying operation. Fluidized bed dryer The salt dryer is a tubular, rotating drum with counter-current flow. The heat source is superheated steam (6 bar, 210οC), which is used to heat the airflow to the dryer of direct-heating type. The drying process is governed by several factors such as the distribution of NaCl for maximum contact area within the drum and the transportation rate. The salt is cooled after drying.

Purge Treatment

During the crystallization, a purge stream is generated. The separate stream of lye together with suspended gypsum solids is driven to detention ponds (see Figure 3-10). In these ponds, sedimentation of gypsum takes place. Gypsum is recovered from detention ponds and then it is mixed with other substances to be used as a fire preventing compound in the coal mine underground. The lye (after gypsum sedimentation) is used in wintertime to prevent roads from freezing. The production of the purge is approximately 4-5 m3/h. The average purge stream composition is shown in Table 3-3.

Table 3-3. Purge stream composition

Materials Concentration (g/L) Chlorides: 200 Magnesium: 18 Calcium 9 Sulfates 0.1 TSS 40-60 Temperature 109oC Specific gravity 1,25

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-10. Detention ponds for the sedimentation of gypsum

3.2.3 Energy requirements The energy consumption in for the pretreatment section is not significant—0.4 kWh/m3 feed. The approximate energy consumption in the RO section, mostly for the high-pressure pumps, is expected to average between 4 to 5 kWh/m3 raw feed. The total energy consumption for the thermal plant, including BCs and the crystallizer is 85 kWh/m3 feed. Most of the energy is consumed by the vapor compressors. The energy requirements are presented in Figure 3-11.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-11. Energy requirements, Dębieńsko plant

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

3.3 Uses of salt produced The applications of salt produced in Dębieńsko desalination plants along with the quantity and the price are provided in Table 3-4.

Table 3-4. Salts produced from mine drainage, Dębieńsko plant

Product Application Quantity Price (€/ton) Salt tablets Water softening 150 tons/day 36 Bag and bulk salt - 250 tons/day 36 Calcium sulfate - 28 tons/day n/a Products from crystallizer purge: Lye Road deicing 4-5 m3/h n/a Fire preventing Gypsum compound (coal mine n/a n/a underground)

3.4 Economics The expenses and the revenues of the Dębieńsko Desalination plant are provided in Table 3-5.

Table 3-5. Expenses and Revenues of Dębieńsko Desalination plant

Expenses & Revenues Expenses Capex 55,000,000 € Opex - Electricity 3,600,000 €/year - Other 1,500,000 – 2,400,000 €/year Revenues Wastewater fees 2,784,120 €/ year Salts - Salts tablets 2,015,034 €/ year - Bag and bulk salt 3,358,390 €/ year - Calcium sulfate n/a Products from crystallizer purge - Lye n/a - Gypsum n/a

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-12. Produced salt, Dębieńsko

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-13. Packaging of salt

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 3-14. Contractual structure of the “Dębieńsko” Zero Liquid Discharge case

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

3.5 Site Visit 3.5.1 Site visit details

Organization Name: Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Wodnej i Rekultywacji S.A.

Site Name & Address: Dębieńsko desalination installation, 44-230 Czerwionka - Leszczyny

Date of Visit: 1st visit: 07-06-2019 2nd visit: October 2021

Duration of Visit (h): 8 hours

Visitors: Grzegorz Gzyl (GIG), Korczak Krzysztof (GIG), Skalny Anna (GIG), Xevgenos Dimitris (SEALEAU)

Visit Hosted by: Czyżewski Artur (PGWiR S.A.)

With this site visit, valuable feedback from the operators of the plant is expected to be collected based on their experience since 1994. Consequently, the LIFE BRINE – MINING project will build upon the experience gained in Dębieńsko case in the past and will learn by its lessons to make the project a success story both in terms of environmental and business cases. 3.5.2 Description of Site Dębieńsko Desalination Plant was designed by Polish engineers and scientists using water treatment technology from the American company RCC (Resources Conservation Company) and Swedish company Nordcap. The plant was designed to treat saline water from coal mine Dębieńsko and coal mine Budryk to prevent rivers from dumping salty water into them. During the startup, it occurred that the composition of both high saline water and low saline water changed so much that it was necessary to redesign reverse osmosis. Into the thermal part of the plant, some minor changes were introduced.

The system comprises one RO unit, two brine concentrators (BC) and one salt crystallizer. Around 14,000 m3/day of mine drainage is treated in the plant with wastewater chemistry to range from 8,000 to 115,000 mg/l total dissolved solids. As a result, the plant recovers about 10,000 m3/day of drinking and process water, 4,500 m3/day of distilled water, 276 tons/day of pure sodium chloride for sale to the chemical industry and as table salt and 28 tons/ day of calcium sulfate. The simplified process flow scheme of Dębieńsko Desalination Plant is given in Figure 3-4. 3.5.3 Key learnings (To be filled in after the site visit on October 2021).

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

4 Stakeholder & Market Analysis

4.1 Implementation of LIFE BRINE-MINING project In this section, all the relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the LIFE BRINE-MINING project are identified and they are divided into the following target audiences.

4.1.1 Target audience (A): Investor Community It has been recognized by the EC that for sustainable financing growth, major investments are needed to transform the EU economy to deliver on climate, environmental and social sustainability goals, including the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. According to Vice- President in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, Mr Validis Dombrovskis, Europe needs around €180bn in extra yearly investment over the next decade. According to data by the European Investment Bank, when we look at the goals for the energy, transport, water and waste sector as a whole, this number rises to €270bn [25]. For wastewater – the thematic area covered by this project- the annual investment is estimated to 48 billion euro, while 90 billion euro will be further required, as shown in Figure 4-1.

Figure 4-1. Annual investment needs for sustainable development in the EU (EUR BN) (Source: European Commission, 2018)

Furthermore, with the aim of immediate follow-up funding after the project completion, project partners will attend investor-related events and will organize bilateral meetings with institutional investors/venture capital funds. SEALEAU has developed a large network with private investors, an indicative list is provided in Table 4-1.

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Table 4-1. Indicative list of investors

No Company Name 1 A2C 2 Amsterdam Climate and Energy Fund 3 Aster Capital 4 Atlante Ventures 5 Bekaert 6 Brightlands Chemelot Campus 7 Brightlands Innovation Factory 8 Btov Partners 9 Chemelot Ventures Management 10 Clean Tech Capital 11 Digital+Partners 12 DSM Venturing B.V. 13 EIT InnoEnergy 14 Emerald Technology Ventures AG 15 Entrepreneurs Fund Management LLP 16 ETF Partners, European VC Fund 17 Evonik Venture Capital 18 Finindus NV 19 GE Ventures 20 High-Tech Grunderfonds Management 21 Icos Capital 22 Innovation Quarter 23 Intensa Sanpaolo S.p.A. 24 Jolt Capital 25 LIOF Industiebank NV 26 Mainport Innovation Fund 27 NBI Investors 28 Newion Investment Management 29 Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe 30 PHS Fund 31 PMV 32 PortXL.org 33 Postscriptum 34 Qbic 35 REPSOL, S.A. 36 SABIC Ventures 37 SET Ventures 38 SGL Group 39 Shell Technology Ventures 40 Statkraft Ventures 41 Tech Tour 42 The Dow Chemical Company 43 Zaz Ventures 44 21st Century Business Growth Advisors

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

4.1.2 Target audience (B): Coal mine Industry Hard coal mines in Poland are located in the USCB and the Lublin Coal Basin region. Currently, USCB is the largest active coal mining area in Europe with approximately 7.5 thousand km2. Mining areas of polish hard coal mines comprise approximately 25% of the total catchment area of watercourses in the USCB. As a result of intense industrialization, the region’s environment has significantly degraded due to many anthropogenic pressures of which the most important are the impacts of hard coal mining. Mine water discharges play an important role in surface water quality and quantity in the USCB. The total mine water discharge in USCB is around 350,000 m3/day, with the amount of chlorides and sulphates discharged to the rivers being approximately 4,000 tons/day [26]. The mining region is situated in the spring area of many small rivers and creeks, being the tributaries of two main Polish rivers: Wisła and Odra in the upper part of their catchments, called Upper Odra and Little Wisła.

The amounts of chlorides and sulfates contained in mine waters depend on the location of mine on the USCB hydrogeological map. Mines located in the northern part generate much less mine wastewater and thus resulting to lower salinity than mines located in the southern part. However, the northern area of USCB is much more urbanized and densely populated and mine waters are introduced into small surface watercourses which affect the resident’s quality of life [26].

Mine water discharges affect surface water in both a quantitative and qualitative way, especially in small streams, where significant changes in their hydrological regime are caused by large loads of contaminants in a high quantity of mine discharges. The consequences are the transformation of the natural aquatic environment, and in extreme cases, eliminating of flora and fauna of the river. The salinity of surface water limits the possibility of using water from rivers for municipal purposes, agriculture and industry. The quantity of discharged saline waters along with their salinity for Poland in 2015 and 2018 are provided in Table 4-2. It is worth mentioning that the coal mine ZG Janina (no 15) identified in Table 1-3, is not located in the abovementioned regions (Małopolskie and Śląskie) and hence its water discharge is not included in these regions. Table 4-2. Quantity of saline water discharged into surface water and their salinity

- 2- Saline water discharge into Load of Cl + SO4 ions surface waters (tons/year) (1000 m3) 2015 2018 2015 2018 Poland 166,417 182,395 2,855,355 3,241,742 Regions Małopolskie 11,769 13,132 140,245 220,441 Śląskie 118,896 132,001 1,295,826 1,414,103

Source: [13] Currently, even though hard coal mining in the USCB area has been reduced during the last fifty years, the discharge of mine wastewaters remains constant, indicating that the problem of high saline mine waters will also exist in the future. As shown in Table 4-3, the coal production has declined by 13%

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report from 2008 to 2015, however, both the amount and volume of saline wastewater discharges are not significantly varied. Śląskie and Małopolskie administrative divisions are included in the USCB area.

Table 4-3. Load of saline waters and salt in regards to coal output in years 2008 – 2015

Hard coal Average salt Mining load Saline water mining Salt load concentration with salt Year Region discharge (million (tons/d) in mine waters load (kg salt (1000 m3/d) tons/ year) (g/l) /tons coal) 2008 Śląskie 83.6 342.2 3,562 10.22 15.27 2013 Śląskie 77.0 321.4 3,497 11.08 16.88 Małopolskie 32.2 384 11.92 2015 Śląskie 72.5 325.7 3,550 10.90 17.88 Małopolskie 36.0 604 16.79 2018 Śląskie 361.6 3,874 10.71 Source: [13]

The Central Department of Mine Dewatering (CZOK) which formed in 2001, it is charged with the responsibility for the management of mine water and dewatering operations in abandoned mines in the USCB. According to Strozik (2017), the water pumped from the abandoned mines since 2013 is almost constant and amounts to 71 million m 3 per year, whereof 53 million m3 are saline waters.

The amount of hard coal extracted in 2018 in the USCB was 56,959 thousand tons. In the same period, 6,924 thousand tons were extracted in the Lublin Coal Basin [27]. In the Lower Silesian Coal Base, hard coal mining was completed in 2000, closing the last mine once operating in Nowa Ruda. At the moment, as already mentioned, 18 hard coal mines are still operational in Poland, owned by 5 companies. In Table 4-4 the main characteristics of these companies are provided.

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Table 4-4. Main characteristics of hard coal enterprises in Poland

Anticipated Number Production economic Area Shareholder Structure of (million resources (million mines tons) tons) (2018) Jastrzębska • 55% State Treasury of the 13.46(2018) Spółka Węglowa USCB Republic of Poland; 5 7,929 13.21 (2017) JSW Group • 44% other individual 14.04 (2016) 24.75 (2018) • 100% Górnośląska Spółka USCB 7 10,380 22.56 (2017) Polska Grupa Brokerska Sp. z o.o. Górnicza PGG 25.15 (2016) • 30.06% the State Treasury of the Republic of Poland; • 10.39% KGHM Polska 11.74 (2018) Tauron USCB Miedź S.A, 3 2,409 4.05 (2017) Wydobycie • 5.06 % Nationale- 3.98 (2016) Nederlanden Otwarty Fundusz Emerytalny, • 54.48% other individual 1.54 (2018) Przedsiębiorstwo 1,77 (2017) USCB • Private investor 1 493 Górnicze Silesia 1.35 (2016)

Lublin 6.92 (2018) Lubelski Węgiel • 66% Enea Group, Coal 1 743 7.24 (2017) Bogdanka S.A. • 34% other individual Basin 7.31 (2016) Source: (PGI, 2018)

Finally, the European Association for Coal and Lignite (EURACOAL) will be an important stakeholder for this group. Since EURACOAL is the umbrella organization of the European coal industry, being composed of 31 Members from 18 countries amongst which national producers and importers associations, the project will communicate with the organization already from the outset and will take part in its events, the aim being to disseminate the project results with its members.

Active coal mines

As already presented in Figure 1-10, currently there are 18 operative coal mines, 1 in the Lublin Coal Basin region (no 18. KWK Bodganka), 17 in the USCB area of Poland and some small private mines. Out of these 18 operating coal mines, 16 are discharging their effluents without prior treatment. Mine waters from these mines are typically discharged into tributaries of the upper Wisla (Vistula) and upper Odra (Oder) rivers. The mines located at the south-west of USCB area are discharging their mine water on the Oder River through settling/retentive ponds, pumping stations and pipelines. On

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report the other hand, the remaining mines are discharging their wastewater on the Vistula River through settling/retentive ponds, streams and small rivers. In Table 4-5, an overview of the operating mines l- 2- in Poland along with the place of discharge of saline waters discharge and charge of C + SO4 ions is provided where there are available. To protect rivers and water reservoirs from degradation by salty mining waters, the ‘Olza’ pipeline system was built. It is a mine water collector with a total length of 100 km which collect mine discharges from eight mines and discharge them to the Oder River (approximately 13,000,000 m3/year). It includes the purification of suspended matter, barium and radium ions. It also ensures maximum use of saltwater for the technological purposes of the mines. The ‘Olza’ system protects about 150 km of small rivers, the Rybnik reservoir on the Ruda River and the Łąka reservoir on the Pszczynka River. Retention and dosing functions based on precise monitoring allow reducing the maximum salt concentration in the Oder by over 60%. The retention capacity of the ‘Olza’ system is approximately 985,000 m3, which will allow a two-month period of saltwater accumulation during drought. The system along with the coal mines are depicted in Figure 4-3. The location of some operating coal mines and their discharge place in the Vistula River are depicted in Figure 4-2. The salinity across the river is also presented in the following figure.

Figure 4-2. Location of coal mines discharge in the Vistula river and the sum of chloride and sulphate ions in 2015 (Source: Adapted by Kasprzak et al., 2016).

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

l- 2- Table 4-5. Operating coal mines which discharge saline mine water with the place of discharge and charge of C + SO4 ions

Quantity of Chlorides (as Load of Cl- + 2- No Coal Mine Region Discharge Place of Saline Waters discharged saline total Cl) SO4 ions water (m3/day) (tons) (2017) (mg/ 1000 m3) 1 KWK Borynia-Zofiówka USCB Odra river (transferred by ‘Olza’ pipeline) 2 KWK Budryk USCB No discharge - - - 3 KWK Knurów Szczygłowice USCB Odra 31,070 4 KWK Pniówek USCB Odra river (transferred by ‘Olza’ pipeline) 5 KWK Jaworzno-Bzie USCB 6 KWK ROW USCB Odra river (transferred by ‘Olza’ pipeline) 75,400 7 KWK Ruda USCB Odra river 47,300 Ziemowit : Potok Gromiecki River 19,750 (2015) (Tributary of the Upper Vistula)

8 KWK Piast-Ziemowit USCB 597,000

Piast: Gostynia River 1,997.3 (2015) (Tributary of the Upper Vistula) 9 KWK Sośnica USCB Odra river 20,300 10 KWK Bolesław Śmiały USCB Vistula river - 7440 11 KWK Wujek USCB Odra river 7,620 Rawa river (Largest right tributary of Brynica, itself a tributary 12 KWK Myslowice-Wesola USCB 46,500 of the Przemsza, which in turn is a tributary of the Vistula) West Bolina river (tributary of the Przemsza, which in turn is a 13 KWK Murcki-Staszic USCB 28700 tributary of the Vistula)

14 ZG Nowe Brzeszcze USCB Vistula river 23,900 206.82 (2015) Potok Gromiecki River 15 ZG Janina USCB 26,525 (2018) 167,000 27,000 (2018) (Tributary of the Upper Vistula) Przemsza river 16 ZG Sobieski USCB 51,100 934 (2015) (Tributary of the Vistula) 17 KWK Silesia USCB Vistula river 62,300 31,442 (2015) Lublin 18 KWK Bodganka Coal Świnka River (Vistula river) 14,957 (2018) 4,840 807.5 (2018) Basin Source: [28], [29]

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 4-3. “Olza” pipeline system (Source: JSW, 2018)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Abandoned mines

Underground coal mining inevitably requires dewatering of excavations, the coal seam itself, and underground aquifers. Mining operations disrupt the local groundwater balance both during and after mining. In the USCB most of the mines are interconnected directly or indirectly by drifts, boreholes, goaf, roadways or intact coal barriers of limited thickness. The restructuring process of the coal mining industry in Poland has resulted in the necessity of closing down mines connected with those still operating. The Central Department of Mine Dewatering (Polish abbreviation CZOK) was formed in 2001 and charged with the responsibility for the management of mine water and dewatering operations in abandoned mines in the USCB. In Figure 4-4, the abandoned mines that are dewatered by CZOK are presented. Furthermore, the wastewater chemistry of these mines is provided in Table 4-6.

Figure 4-4. Map with the operating and abandoned mines in the USCB in Poland

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Table 4-6. Water chemistry data (2007 – 2008) from the mines that CZOK is actively dewatering

- - + — No Mine Location pH TDS (mg/l) Alkalinity Cl (mgN/l) SO4 (mgN/l) NH4 -N NO3 N (mgN/l) (meq/l) (mgN/l) 19 Saturn 210 m level 7.54 985 6.8 78.9 234 0.2 0.62 Andrzej 7.11 3,130 11.4 605 964 0.25 <0.1 20 Sosnowiec 7.51 1380 8.6 153 360 0.32 0.33 21 Paryż 7.41 1310 8.5 155 360 0.43 0.36 22 Porąbka - Klimontów 7.26 2160 12.9 238 523 0.1 1.72 23 Grodziec 7.05 3765 11.1 74.3 1500 0.42 0.78 24 Niwka-Modrzejów 6.65 8120 6.9 3971 703 2.49 15.6 25 Katowice 6.95 4500 7.4 1470 910 1.14 1.1 26 Kleofas 7.13 11400 6.6 4042 1923 1.24 9.55 27 Gliwice 6.97 13280 10 5920 1910 0.81 4.06 28 Pstrowski 7.67 11690 9.6 5670 1170 0.31 1.74 29 Szombierki 7.72 8920 11.7 3400 1640 0.15 0.8 30 Powstańców 500 m level 7.59 2200 6.4 592 490 0.15 0.29 760 m level 6.08 58100 2.2 35100 240 14 4.3 31 Siemianowice 321 m level 7.16 2175 7.4 138 918 0.19 <0.1 630 m level 7.4 7469 8.4 2907 1403 0.22 <0.1 32 Jan Kanty 270 m level 6.78 1020 3.5 152 353 0.21 0.47 33 Dębieńsko 202 m level 7.1 874 6 120 242 0.16 0.91 410 m level 6.88 3432 12.1 1126 380 0.33 1.1 690 m level 6.44 91650 5.9 54781 1870 15.8 5.4 No Mine Location Ca (mg/l) Mg (mg/l) Na (mg/l) K (mg/l) Fe (mg/l) Mn (mg/l) Temperature (oC) 19 Saturn 210 m level 183 37.7 26.2 5.7 0.22 0.13 12.2 Andrzej 197 102 301 36 7.2 0.95 14.4 20 Sosnowiec 145 71 100 17 5.1 1.32 14.5 21 Paryż 154 58.8 70 12.3 3.6 1.2 13.5 22 Porąbka - Klimontów 180 121 180 45 5.8 1.21 17.6 23 Grodziec 236 238 241 27.4 18.2 6.1 14.8 24 Niwka-Modrzejów 485 279 1800 190 39 3.6 18.5 25 Katowice 297 213 780 65 4.66 1.8 19.5 26 Kleofas 713 462 4800 103 2.8 4.21 18.5 27 Gliwice 335 198 4000 315 2.86 0.64 20.2 28 Pstrowski 352 219 3500 302 0.92 0.085 18.8 29 Szombierki 315 200 2400 178 0.18 0.097 24.5 30 Powstańców 500 m level 125 43.9 400 117 <0.05 <0.03 18 760 m level 1940 1217 1612 508 0.81 2.37 26.5 31 Siemianowice 321 m level 289 131 111 16 4.3 2.1 16.2 630 m level 212 196 2070 110 0.48 0.09 23.1 32 Jan Kanty 270 m level 143 53.9 70 12.5 7.4 0.92 11.3 33 Dębieńsko 202 m level 74 19 209 8 <0.03 <0.02 12.3 410 m level 47.3 62.9 610 16.7 <0.03 0.043 15.7 690 m level 1114 1305 22000 604 14.1 1.6 29.2 Source: (Janson et al., 2009)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

4.1.3 Target audience (C): Other end-users/ process industries For the transferability of the project results, it is of essential importance to identify the facilities that generate chloride releases in Poland. Hence, according to European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR), 60 facilities that generate chlorides in Poland have been identified [29]. The complete list of the facilities is provided in Table 4-7. In 2017, 2,908,450 tons of chlorides were released in Poland. As depicted in Figure 4-5. Chlorides Releases per industrial activity (Source: E- PRTR, 2017), the vast majority of these releases (47.2%) are associated with underground mining and related operation (NACE Code B) and hence these stakeholders are part of Target audience (B) mention in Section 4.1.2. Following, industrial-scale manufacturing of basic chemical represents 43% (or 1,251,770 tons of the total chloride releases in Poland, followed by the urban wastewater treatment plants (3.6%) and disposal of hazardous waste (2.3%).

1. (c)Thermal power stations and 2.1% 3.6% 1.1% other combustion installations 2.(a) Metal ore (including sulphide ore) roasting or sintering installations

3.(a) Underground mining and related operations

3.(b) Opencast mining and quarrying

4.(b) Industrial scale production of basic inorganic chemicals 47.2% 43.0% 4.(c) Industrial scale production of phosphorous, nitrogen or potassium based fertilizers 5.(a) Disposal or recovery of hazardous waste

5.(d) Landfills (excluding landfills closed before the 16.7.2001)

5.(f) Urban waste-water treatment plants

5.(g) Independently operated industrial waste-water treatment plants serving a listed activity

Figure 4-5. Chlorides Releases per industrial activity (Source: E-PRTR, 2017)

As shown in Table 4-7, 43% of the total chlorides is generated by two chemical sites, namely “Zakład Produkcyjny Soda Mątwy w Inowrocławiu” (No 54) and “Zakład Produkcyjny JANIKOSODA w Janikowie” (No 55) operated by one industry, CIECH S.A.

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Currently, CIECH Soda Polska is the sole manufacturer in Poland and the second manufacturer in Europe of light and dense soda ash. It also manufactures wet and dry vacuum salt. The company is the largest manufacturer of these products on the domestic market. Furthermore, the company portfolio also includes other chemical products — sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, hopcalite, salt mixtures, pickling salt and salt tabs. Table 4-7. List with Polish process industries generating chloride releases

Chlorides No Facility NUTS Region (tons)

1 Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji S.A., Oczyszczalnia Lublin 4460 Ścieków Kujawy

2 Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji S.A., Oczyszczalnia Lesser Poland 7610 Ścieków Płaszów

3 "AQUANET" S.A., Centralna Oczyszczalnia Ścieków Odra 10400

4 "AQUANET" S.A., Lewobrzeżna Oczyszczalnia Ścieków Greater Poland 2530

5 "Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji w Lublinie" Sp. z o.o., Lublin 3550 Oczyszczalnia ścieków "Hajdów"

6 "Saur Neptun Gdańsk" S.A., Oczyszczalnia ścieków "Gdańsk-Wschód" Pomerania 5360

7 ANWIL S.A. Cuiavia - Pomerania 25200

8 ArcelorMittal Poland S.A., Oddział w Dąbrowie Górniczej Silesia 3030

9 CTL Maczki-Bór S. A. Silesia 3040

10 Enea Elektrownia Połaniec Spółka Akcyjna Swietokrzyskie 7920

11 Energetyka Sp. z o.o., Wydział W-3 Głogów Lower Silesia 5770

12 Grupowa Oczyszczalnia Ścieków Łódzkiej Aglomeracji Miejskiej Łódź 14300

13 INTERNATIONAL PAPER - KWIDZYN SP. Z O.O. Pomerania 3240

14 Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. Kopalnia Węgla Kamiennego "Knurów- Silesia 21700 Szczygłowice"Ruch Knurów

15 Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. Kopalnia Węgla Kamiennego "Knurów- Silesia 9730 Szczygłowice"Ruch Szczygłowice

16 Komunalna Biologiczna Oczyszczalnia Ścieków Sp. z o.o. Subcarpathia 4230

17 Lubelski Węgiel "Bogdanka" S.A. Lublin 4840

18 Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji Sp. z o. o., Subcarpathia 2110 Oczyszczalnia Ścieków

19 Miejskie Wodociągi i Kanalizacja w Bydgoszczy Sp. z o.o., Oczyszczalnia Cuiavia - Pomerania 2400 scieków "FORDON"

20 Oczyszczalnia Ścieków "Warta" S.A., Centralna Oczyszczalnia Ścieków Silesia 2080

21 Oddział KWK Ruda Oddział KWK Ruda Ruch Halemba Silesia 22900

22 olska Grupa Górnicza Sp.zo.o. Oddział KWK Wujek ruch Śląsk Silesia 7620

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Chlorides No Facility NUTS Region (tons)

23 PCC Rokita SA Lower Silesia 61100

24 PGE Energia Ciepła S.A. Oddział nr 1 w Krakowie Lesser Poland 4680

25 PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna S.A., Oddział Kopalnia Węgla Łódź 9760 Brunatnego Bełchatów

26 PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna S.A., Oddział Zespół West Pomerania 6080 Elektrowni Dolna Odra Elektrownia Dolna Odra

27 PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna SA Oddział Elektrownia Opole 5400 Opole

28 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział Kopalnia Węgla Kamiennego Sośnica Silesia 20300

29 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział KWK Bolesław Śmiały Silesia 7440

30 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział KWK Murcki-Staszic Silesia 28700

31 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział KWK Piast- Ziemowit Ruch Piast Silesia 263000

32 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział KWK Piast- Ziemowit Ruch Ziemowit Silesia 334000

33 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział KWK ROW, Ruch CHWAŁOWICE Silesia 31600

34 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział KWK ROW,Ruch MARCEL Silesia 20400

35 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A. Oddział KWK Ruda Ruch Bielszowice Silesia 24400

36 Polska Grupa Górnicza S.A.Oddział KWK ROW Ruch Rydułtowy Silesia 23400

37 Polska Grupa Górnicza Sp. zo.o. Oddział KWK Mysłowice-Wesoła Silesia 46500

38 Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Wodnej i Rekultywacji S.A. Silesia 193000

39 Przedsiębiorstwo Górnicze "SILESIA" Sp. z o. o. Silesia 62300

40 Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji Sp. z o. o. w Gdyni, Pomerania 2240 Oczyszczalnia Ścieków "Dębogórze"

41 Tarnowskie Wodociągi Sp. z o .o., Zakład Oczyszczalni Ścieków Lesser Poland 2890

42 TAURON Wydobycie Spółka Akcyjna, Zakład Górniczy "Janina" w Libiążu Lesser Poland 167000

43 Tauron Wytwarzanie Spólka Akcyjna-Oddział Elektrownia Jaworzno III - Silesia 6710 Elektrownia III

44 TAURON Wytwarzanie Spółka Akcyjna-Oddział Elektrownia Łaziska w Silesia 3560 Łaziskach Górnych

45 Toruńskie Wodociągi Sp. z o.o., Centralna Oczyszczalnia Ścieków Cuiavia-Pomerania 2420

46 Weglokoks Kraj Sp. zo.o. KWK "Bobrek-Piekary" Ruch "Bobrek" Silesia 7840

47 Wodociągi i Kanalizacja w Opolu Sp. z o.o., Dział oczyszczania ścieków Podlasie 2300

48 Wodociągi Miejskie w Radomiu Spółka z o.o. Zakład Kanalizacyjny Masovia 2190

49 Zakład Górniczy Brzeszcze Lesser Poland 23900

50 Zakład Górniczy Sobieski Silesia 51100

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Chlorides No Facility NUTS Region (tons)

51 Zakład Oczyszczalni Ścieków Czajka Masovia 28200

52 Zakład Oczyszczalni Ścieków Południe Masovia 4640

53 Zakład Odsalania Silesia 22700

54 Zakład Produkcyjny JANIKOSODA w Janikowie Cuiavia–Pomerania 507000

55 Zakład Produkcyjny Soda Mątwy w Inowrocławiu Cuiavia–Pomerania 744000

56 Zakład Wodociągów i Kanalizacji Sp. z o.o.,Oczyszczalnia komunalna West Pomerania 2670 "Pomorzany"

57 Zakład Wodociągów i Kanalizacji w Pruszkowie Masovia 2780

58 Zakłady Górniczo-Hutnicze BOLESŁAW S.A. - Pion Hutniczy Lesser Poland 2940

59 Zakłady Górniczo-Hutnicze BOLESŁAW S.A., Pion Górniczo - Przeróbczy - Lesser Poland 2520 Kopalnia

60 Miejsko - Przemysłowa Oczyszczalnia Ścieków Sp. z o.o. Lesser Poland 2770

(Source: E-PRTR, 2017)

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

4.1.4 Target audience (D): End-users of materials recovered

Salt & Water Salt is usually present in the European market in two forms: rock salt and evaporated salt. In the last several years, salt production amounted to approximately 270 million tons per year. The ten biggest producers (countries) are responsible for over 3/4 of global supply. Among them are only two European countries (Germany, producing approximately 12 million tons per year and the UK, producing 7 million tons per year). Poland (producing approx. 4 million tons per year) came 15th in the global ranking, and its share in total production reaches 1.5%. The salt consumption per industrial activity in Europe is provided in Figure 4-6.

Figure 4-6. Salt consumption per industrial activity, Europe

In total, approximately 4.2 million tons of salt were produced in Poland in 2015 (see Table 4-8) with salt-in-brine accounting for around 68% of production. Table 4-8. Production of salt in Poland, 2011-2015

Other Total Salt Rock Salt Evaporated salt (brine and desalination (thousand of mine wastewater) tons) 2011 1,254 415 2,633 4,302 2012 793 658 2,732 4,183 2013 1,321 686 2,735 4,742 2014 775 647 2,705 4,127 2015 650 671 2,798 4,119 (Source: USGS, 2015)

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4-7, 63% of salt-in-brine produced domestically is consumed in two synthetic soda ash plants (operated by Soda Polska Ciech) with a combined production capacity of 1.2Mtpy of soda ash. Around 21% of salt-in-brine is used in the production of evaporated salt and 16% in chlor-alkali production (by Anwil Nitrogen Plant, PCC Rokita and Organika – Zachem Chemical Works) representing a combined domestic production capacity of 410,000tpy.

Figure 4-7. Salt-in-brine consumption per industrial activity, Poland

Finally, the following possible stakeholders have been identified: Salt producers: 1. Inowroclaw Salt Mines Solino, 2. Kompania Węglowa, 3. Soda Polska Ciech, 4. Klodawa Salt Mine, 5. KGHM Polska Miedź, 6. Wieliczka Salt Mine Salt consumers:

1. Soda Polska Ciech, 2. Anwil Nitrogen Plant, 3. PCC Rokita, 4. Organika – Zachem Chemical Works

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Water consumers:

1. Municipalities (for drinking water companies), 2. Power companies for distillate water

Magnesium

Magnesium is identified as a Critical Raw Material, as 93.9% of magnesium is imported from China. To produce magnesium hydroxide, currently, either brucite or magnesite is used as raw material. Most of the main suppliers of these raw materials comprise non‐EU enterprises. All the European manufacturers of magnesium hydroxide except one are being supplied with their raw materials from non‐EU suppliers. This reduces drastically the competitiveness of their products and their dependence on the raw material. By sourcing the raw materials from the industry brine effluents, not only sustainability is achieved, but also business opportunities across sectors and significant improvement of the competitiveness of this key sector for the EU.

Regarding Poland, the magnesium hydroxide is of interest for the refractory materials industry. In 2006, the production of refractories in Poland reached nearly 300,000 tons, around 28% of which were unshaped materials. The main manufacturers in Poland include ZM Ropczyce S.A., PMO Komex (part of Alcerol-Mittal), PCO Zarów S.A., and Vesuvius Skawina.

4.1.5 Target audience (E): Policy makers This target audience includes the following stakeholders: E1. National authorities

• Polish waters • Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute • Institute of Meteorology and Water Management • General Inspectorate for Environmental Protection • General Directorate for Environmental Protection E2. Regional authorities

• Regional Water Management Authority in Gliwice • Regional Water Management Authority in Katowice • Voivodeship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice • Marshal’s Office of the Silesian Voivodeship in Katowice • Silesian Voivodeship Office in Katowice • Regional Directorate for the Environmental Protection in Katowice E3. EU wide stakeholders:

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

• Coal platform (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_420) European Commission has developed a platform for the coal regions in transition that assists EU countries and coal regions tackling the challenges related to the transition to a low carbon economy. The objective is to provide space for focused, operational, and transparent discussions which help coal regions prepare transition strategies and identify priority projects with high potential to kick- start the transition process. The platform also serves as a space for exchanging best practices and project ideas. 4.1.6 Target audience (F): Waste management sector & incineration plants For the application of LIFE BRINE-MINING results in practice, waste heat recovery is of critical importance for the system to be energy efficient. For this reason, Waste-to-energy plants will comprise an important target audience to provide maximum energy efficiency by incinerating municipal and other waste. As shown in Figure 4-8, in 2009 in Poland, more than 75% of Municipal Solid Waste (MSF) were landfilled with the target being to reduce them to 10% in 2030. In 2014 approx. 10,330 thousand tons of municipal waste were collected in Poland, of which approx. 5,835 thousand tons (56.5% of waste collected in total) were disposed by landfilling or thermal processing without energy recovery [31].

Figure 4-8. Municipal waste treated in 2009 by country and treatment category, sorted by percentage of landfilling (as a percentage of municipal waste treated) (Source: Eurostat, 2011)

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants

Energy recovery from municipal waste is carried out primarily by combustion processes, which are conducted in special industrial objects called WtE plants (or MSWI – Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators). The technical basis of energy recovery from municipal waste combustion is to use generated thermal energy embedded in flue gases to produce steam at high temperature and pressure. By the end of 2015 in Poland only one WtE plant has operated, i.e. “ZUSOK” plant in Warsaw, which was built in 2001. Newly built WtE plants or those which are currently in the initial phase of operation, i.e. Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Konin, Krakow, Poznań and Szczecin (see Figure 4-9), due to their scale and the potential impact on the environment, are today one of the most important Polish investments in the environmental protection sector.

Figure 4-9. Waste-to-energy projects (existing and planned) in Poland (Source: Chatelin, 2016)

In Table 4-9, the existing Waste-to-energy projects are outlined together with their main characteristics.

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Table 4-9. Summary of ongoing WtE projects - technical data (Source: Cyranka et al., 2016)

Gross Net Gross heat Availability Throughput electrical Wte Plant Contractor energy energy (h/year) (Mg/year) energy efficiency (MWhth/year) (MWhe/year) ASTALDI S.p.A., BYDGOSZCZ Termomeccanica 7,800 0.64 180,000 71,760 216,060 Ecologia Posco KRAKÓW Engineering & 8,100 0.60 220,000 67,860 273,000 Construction Budimex S.A., BIAŁYSTOK 8,050 0.58 120,000 31,258 118,200 Keppel Seghers MOSTOSTAL S.A, SZCZECIN RAFAKO S.A 7,500 0.50 150,000 71,439 159,984 Hitachi PE Integral Eng., KONIN ERBUD S.A., 7,800 0.75 94,000 26,602 148,200 Introl S.A. SITA ZE, Hitachi POZNAŃ 7,800 0.66 240,000 78,000 312,000 ZI, Hochtief

New Waste-to-Energy plants planned:

Olzstyn: 110,000 tons/year https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/new-waste-to-energy-plant-for-olsztyn- poland Public partner: MPEC (district heating company) Private partner and contractor: Dobra Energia dla Olsztyna, ownership back to MPEC after 25 years Total project cost: EUR 183,276,653 EU Cohesion Fund: EUR 39,608,601 (21%) Operational Programme: Infrastructure & Environment (see here) Priority: Environmental protection, including adaptation to climate change. Beneficiary (for the EU fund):Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej Sp. z o.o (MPEC) Managing Authority: Ministerstwo Inwestycji i Rozwoju - Departament Programów Infrastrukturalnych (https://www.gov.pl/web/fundusze-regiony )

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

Figure 4-10. POZNAŃ project overview

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

4.2 Commercialization of LIFE BRINE-MINING Project 4.2.1 LIFE-BRINE MINING system LIFE-BRINE MINING project aims to facilitate the implementation of the WFD and the Circular Economy package, by enabling the coal mining industry to improve its wastewater management performance in a way which yields cost-effective, resource-efficient and legally compliant results. This will be achieved through the development and application of an economically viable, innovative system for the elimination and full recovery of resources including the coal mining wastewater, at the source. The system will be able to treat and directly recover end-products (mineral/salts and water) of high quality and purity. The avoidance of discharge of mine effluent and the subsequent avoidance of discharge of chlorides and sulphates in the surface water is of crucial importance.

Objectives

The objectives of the LIFE-BRINE MINING system in terms of quantified results are the following:

1. Avoid discharge of 35,000 m3 of coal mine brine effluent and 930 tons of salts By preventing the discharge of coal mine wastewater that would otherwise be released into surface water, LIFE BRINE-MINING system is contributing to the objective of Water Framework Directive and other water environmental policy. 2. Recovery of approximately 930 tons of marketable minerals and 33,000 m3 of high purity water The BRINE-MINING system will be able to recover pure products, water and pure minerals: sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), and calcium sulphate (CaSO4). More specifically, st during the 1 year of operation ≈ 800 tons of NaCl, 70 tons of Mg(OH)2 and 60 tons of CaSO4 will be recovered. 3. Reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions to half compared to the best current practice (≈426 tons of CO2 emissions). The state-of-art plant (Dębieńsko) (see Chapter 3) is using reverse osmosis coupled with Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVR). The energy consumption of this system is 975 kWh per ton of salt recovered.

Technical scale of the project

LIFE BRINE-MINING technology is based on the Zero Liquid Discharge principle, but it goes a significant step further to resource recovery promoting circular economy. It combines separation steps (nanofiltration and electrodialysis) combined with an improved design of the Multiple Effect Distillation technology which is capable of using low-grade heat such as renewables or waste heat; and can enable fractioned crystallization. Furthermore, the evaporator consists of multiple effects allowing therefore precisely controlled pressure/temperature conditions that can be adjusted in a way to control the concentration ration and thus the controlled saturation and recovery of salts.

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report

4.2.2 Commercialization Strategy LIFE BRINE- MINING project will follow a 3-phase commercialization strategy for the successful uptake of the project to the market. Below the market, growth rates and trend for each of the groups of stakeholders targeted, namely mining, process and desalination industries, at the three commercialization phases of LIFE BRINE-MINING project are presented. During the identification of the commercialization strategy, it was figured out that the industries with concentrated brines are employing most of the available ZLD systems.

Phase A – Mining Industries

During phase A, the first group targeted is the mining industries (including upstream oil & gas – NACE Codes B5 to B9). In 2015, the total global spending on industrial water and wastewater treatment was approximately $1.98 billion for the mining sector and $3.23 billion for the upstream oil and gas sector. According to the Global Water Intelligence, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CACR) is estimated 4.17% and 15.86% for the mining and upstream oil and gas sector, respectively [34].

Phase B - Process Industries (NACE Codes C10-C33)

The market of industrial wastewater treatment is very diverse, while the solution depends on the specific characteristics of the sector. The global spending (CAPEX) on industrial water and wastewater treatment in 2015 amounted to $21.3 billion, with a forecast rise to $30.6 billion by 2020. Excluding the industries that are included in phase A, namely mining and upstream oil and gas, the total spending in 2015 amounted to $16.1 billion, with a forecasted rise up to $21.4 billion in 2020, which results in a CAGR of 5.8% Out of this rather large market for Phase A and Phase B customers, the serviceable market for our business project relates to the part that is focused on brine minimization. The global spending (CAPEX) on brine minimization in 2016 amounted to $243.3 million, with a forecasted rise up to $631.5 million in 2020.

Phase C - Desalination industry

The desalination market has experienced extremely rapid growth in the last decade, as more countries look to use marginal water resources such as seawater and brackish water to meet their needs. In the period 2004-2014, newly contracted units provided an additional 50.0 million m3/day to the global desalination capacity, with an average additional capacity of 4.5 million m3/day each year. Utility and public sectors clients are the main users of desalinated water: 55.2% of the current global installed capacity is aimed at drinking water production, while 42.5% of the capacity is installed for industrial purposed, such as power generation. The CAPEX spent in the desalination market in 2015 amounted to $3.7 billion and it is expected to grow at a GAGR of 9.5% to hit $27 billion by 2025. The OPEX spent in the desalination market in 2015 amounted to $8.1 billion, with a forecasted rise up to $9.6 billion in 2020. Regarding the market value of LIFE BRINE-MINING solution in the sector the following applies. According to GWI (2015), the top challenge of the desalination sector is the selective beneficial salt

Deliverable A.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland – Study Visit Report separation from desalination brines, which is exactly the aim of this innovative business project. According to the same source, the market value of such a solution is estimated at $2 billion.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 4-11. Water Desalination Market – Value Chain (Source: Adroit Market Research, 2018)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 4-12. Commercialization Strategy of LIFE BRINE-MINING project

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Competitors

The main solutions offered today are summarized in below, also presenting the differentiation points (PODs) of Circular Desalination over these solutions.

1. Surface discharge This solution includes the discharge of wastewater in rivers or the sea. The United Nations Environment Programme has recognized the discharges of brine as one of the major threats to the water environment, as brine kills stenohaline key ecosystems such as Posidonia Oceanica (natura 2000 protected Habitat 1120). Further, materials contained in wastewater are not recovered. Competitive advantage of LIFE BRINE – MINING solution: It leads to zero wastewater discharge and as such it can be applied irrespective of regulation an in inland areas where discharge is not possible.

2. Sub-surface injection During sub-surface injection, the wastewater is injected in deep underground wells. This solution has high risks for contamination of water aquifers, and it will soon be prohibited by upcoming legislation, in the Netherlands and other EU countries. Competitive advantage of LIFE BRINE – MINING solution: It leads to zero wastewater discharge and as such it can be applied irrespective of regulations and in inland areas where discharge is not possible.

3. Evaporation ponds This solution has a very large footprint, it is applicable only in dry and sunny climates, it has increased costs and short lifetime and there is a risk of leakage/contamination. Competitive advantage of LIFE BRINE – MINING solution: It enables operation independent from climatic conditions and land availability.

4. Membrane Desalination Technologies Established products in the market involve HEROTM (U.S. Patent No. 5,925,255) and OPUSTM (U.S. Patent No. 7,815,804 B2) that are patented by AQUATEC and VEOLIA respectively. Competitive advantage of LIFE BRINE – MINING solution: Ιt provides the possibility to use waste heat and separate recovery of minerals.

5. Offsite treatment Οffsite treatment is the most expensive treatment (50 -200 €/m3) and it has certain limitations to capacity according to permits on chloride discharge. Competitive advantage of LIFE BRINE – MINING solution: It enables onsite treatment with a treatment cost at one-third.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

4.3 Financing of a BRINE-MINING project Within the LIFE BRINE-MINING project, possibilities to establish collaboration for full-scale implementation will be sought. Public funding will be instrumental for this purpose. As such, the authors present below the two main funding tools from the European Commission that are relevant to such a project development, namely the ESI fund (Section 4.3.1) and the Just Transition Fund (Section 4.3.2.2). 4.3.1 European Structural & Investment (ESI) Fund The ESI Fund is organized under the following five funds: ▪ European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) ▪ European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) ▪ European Social Fund (ESF); under this fund there is also a dedicated fund for o Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) ▪ Cohesion Fund (CF) ▪ European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) For the 2014-2020 programme period, the ESI fund provides an EU contribution amounting to €461 billion and a total budget of €642 billion, including national financing (see also here).

Figure 4-13. EU budget by fund (2014-2020)

Regulation (EU) N°1303/2013 lays down common provisions applicable to the funds mentioned above. Each ESI fund is supporting 11 Thematic Objectives (TOs) (Article 9 of Regulation). These thematic objectives are being translated into priorities specific to each of the ESI funds.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

ESI fund by theme/thematic objective

The European Structural & Investment Funds is structured upon eleven (11) themes or thematic objectives: ▪ TO1: Research & Innovation (Budget: €43,624,539,522)

▪ TO2: Information & communication technologies (Budget: €13,932,888,604) ▪ TO3: Competitiveness of SMEs (Budget: €64,684,885,280) ▪ TO4: Low-carbon economy (Budget: €44,344,618,113) ▪ TO5: Climate change adaptation & risk prevention (Budget: €28,702,498,307) ▪ TO6: Environment Protection & Resource Efficiency (Budget: €63,542,311,266) ▪ TO7: Network Infrastructure in Transport and Energy (Budget: €57,793,908,321) ▪ TO8: Sustainable & quality employment (Budget: €43,230,497,753) ▪ TO9: Social inclusion (Budget: €46,071,652,759) ▪ TO10: Educational & vocational training (Budget: €35,012,006,748) ▪ TO11: Efficient public Administration (Budget: €5,068,391,339) ▪ Technical assistance (Budget: €13,721,056,270) ▪ Outermost & sparsely populated (Budget: €674,873,721) ▪ Discontinued measures (Budget: €494,539,198) Below, the ESI funds are provided by theme and fund, as well as by country. The Member States must come up with plans setting out their investment priorities for the five European Structural and Investment Funds. These plans are called Partnership Agreements, while further details are provided in national or regional Operational Programmes (OPs). A tool to navigate at the current Operational Programmes can be found here or at the main ESIF website at the relevant tab: https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/programmes.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 4-14. European Structural and Investment Funds, by theme (left) and by theme and country (right)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

EU Regional & Development Fund (ERDF) & Cohesion Fund (CF)

The available budget for the period 2014-2020 amounts to € 351.8 billion. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) provide the following financial products to projects: (a) loans; (b) guarantees; and (c) equity.

Figure 4-15. Financial allocations by country. Note: ERDF is marked with blue and CF is marked with orange (2014- 2020) (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/funding/available-budget/)

The case of Poland

Out of this budget, 63 million have been allocated to Poland, representing by far the largest share of the total budget (see Figure 4-14). For Poland, the available budget breakdown is as follows: 40,213,870 for the ERDF and €23,207,980 for the CF.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 4-16. EU contribution by fund, Poland (2014-2020) (Source: https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/countries/PL)

Figure 4-17. ESIF, EU contribution by theme and fund, Poland (2014-2020)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

4.3.2 The new Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) programme and the Just Transition Fund The European Commission communicated on 2 May 2018 its proposal for the next long-term budget covering the period 2021-2027, following the priorities set out in Bratislava in 2016 and Rome in 2017. This proposal included also the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund.

New cohesion policy (2021-2027)

The European Commission adopted the legislative proposal for the cohesion policy on 29 May 2018. The legal texts for the new cohesion policy are summarized below3: - Common Provisions Regulation: COM(2018) 375 final - ERDF and Cohesion Funds, Proposal for regulation: COM(2018) 372 Within the new cohesion policy, seven shared management funds are foreseen: - Cohesion Fund (CF) - European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) - Asylum and Migration Fund (AMF) - Internal Security Fund (ISF) - Border Management Instrument (BMI) Regarding the new MFF, it must be noted that climate-related activities have received special attention and as such a significant amount of budget, as high as 25% of the total budget or approx. EUR 320 billion. In line with that priority and in view of the objective of climate neutrality by 2050, on 11 December 2019 a new tool aiming at supporting the coal mine regions in Europe has been developed, the so-called “Just Transition Fund”. This fund is further discussed in the next section.

Just Transition Fund and Poland

The Just Transition Fund is part of the wider Just Transition Mechanism (COM (2020)22 Final). The Just Transition Mechanism aims to mobilize €100 billion, including both public and private financial resources, structured on the following three pillars:

3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/regional-development-and-cohesion_en

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

(a) Just Transition Fund; (b) Just Transition scheme under InvestEU; and (c) A public sector loan facility through the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Just Transition Fund The Just Transition Fund will receive € 7.5 billion fresh EU funds (on top of the new MFF programme) and it comprises mainly grants. It is expected that through ESI and national funding it will mobilize €30-50 billion. The Just Transition Fund is implemented under the cohesion policy. This fund aims to enable the diversification of the economic activities of the territories that are most negatively affected by the climate transition. Invest EU pillar The Just Transition Scheme under the InvestEU pillar will mobilize € 45 billion, mainly aiming at crowding in private investments. The focus of this pillar is wider compared to the Just Transition Fund, to include activities related to the energy transition as well. This scheme will cover projects for energy and transport infrastructure (including district heating), as well as decarbonization projects. It must be mentioned that the InvestEU Advisory Hub, including the relevant initiative for project development under the structural funds (Jaspers), will support the preparation of the Territorial Just Transition Plans (see also below). This pillar will have a wider geographical scope compared to the Just Transition Fund. EIB Loan The public sector loan facility under the EIB loan pillar will mobilize €25-30 billion, mainly aiming at leveraging public financing. The EIB will provide subsidized funding such as subsidized interest rate (blended together with loans) to municipal, regional and other public authorities. The low- interest rates will be a result of EIB lending (€10 billion) and EU budget contributions (€1.5 billion). The focus of this pillar is wider compared to the Just Transition Fund, to include activities related to the energy transition as well (as with the Invest EU Pillar). The beneficiaries will be public authorities and the activities that will be funded include projects for energy and transport infrastructure, including district heating and energy efficiency measures like renovation of buildings. This pillar will have a wider geographical scope compared to the Just Transition Fund (same as with the InvestEU pillar).

For enabling access to the funds mentioned above, the approval of the Territorial Just Transition Plans will play a crucial role, on the basis of which the governance framework of the Just Transition Mechanism is centered. Τhe Member States have to prepare Territorial just transition Plans, corresponding to level 3 of the common classification of territorial units for statistics (“NUTS-3”). These plans shall identify the territories that are most negatively affected by the transition process of the Union to become climate neutral by 2050.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Regarding the Just Transition Fund, the Member States need to combine this with other ESI funds (namely ERDF and ESF+) as well as national funding. Each euro under the Just Transition Fund should match with approx. 1.5-3 euros from the ESI funds. If considered together, the EUR 7.5 billion will generate at least EUR 30-50 billion of investments. In total, the Just Transition Mechanism will mobilize at least €100 billion. The Just Transition Mechanism is part of the European Green Deal Investment Plan (EGDIP) (Figure 4-18). The EGDIP will mobilize at least €1 trillion over the next decade (2021 – 2030), through EU budget and associated instruments. From the new MFF (2021-2027) and extrapolated over 2030, the proposal from the European Commission of 25% allocation is translated into approx. €500 billion. To match these funds, an additional €114 billion of national co-financing will be mobilized. Through EU budget guarantees, the InvestEU programme will leverage an additional €279 billion, crowding in private investors. An additional €25 billion will be provided by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) funds.

Figure 4-18. European Green Deal Investment Plan & Just Transition Mechanism budget (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_24)

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Table 4-10. Just Transition Mechanism budget allocation by EU country

Total estimated funding Estimated expected investments Proposed JTF allocation under Pillar 1 to be mobilized under Pillar 1,2, Country (million €) (million €) (million €) (2018 prices) (2018 prices) (current prices) BE 68 311 989 BG 458 1710 6205 CZ 581 2074 7761 DK 35 217 569 DE 877 4614 13387 EE 125 569 1811 IE 30 187 490 EL 294 1049 3923 ES 307 1397 4445 FR 402 1825 5807 HR 66 235 879 IT 364 1301 4868 CY 36 163 518 LV 68 242 906 LT 97 345 1292 LU 4 23 59 HU 92 330 1234 MT 8 37 119 NL 220 1045 3174 AT 53 331 867 PL 2,000 7,692 27,344 PT 79 283 1058 RO 757 2704 10116 SI 92 327 1223 SK 162 580 2170 FI 165 749 2383 SE 61 380 995 Total 7,501 30,720 104,592

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

Figure 4-19. Just Transition Mechanism budget allocation by EU country

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

State of play of preparation of the Polish programming documents for 2021-2027

The Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy is currently preparing the draft Partnership Agreement 2021-2027, which will include, among others, a concrete proposal from Poland as regards the overall programming architecture. This concern, on the one hand, the number of programmes and, on the other hand, thematic division of interventions between national and regional programmes. According to the analysis of the EU Green Deal challenges presented on the new Country Report (Annex D) for Poland (see also here), the Just Transition Fund is proposed to be invested in three Polish regions as follows: Item Amount Poland’s share in JTF 26.7% Aid intensity per capita 53 Allocation (EUR million) 2,000 JTF resources mobilized (EUR million) 7,700 – 12,300 JTM – all pillars included (EUR million) 26,000 – 27,000

Figure 4-20. Proposed areas for receiving funding under the Just Transition Fund in Poland

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5 Preliminary Circular Economy Action Plan

5.1 Connection to existing relevant action plans Currently, there is no framework on establishing a Circular Economy Action Plan for a specific sector. At the same time, there is scant research on this topic and as such the authors needed to establish their own methodology. The authors first screened the action plans that have been set by relevant policy documents, most importantly the new Circular Economy Action Plan:

COM(2020) 98 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

A new Circular Economy Action Plan For a cleaner and more competitive Europe

Available here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:9903b325- 6388-11ea-b735-01aa75ed71a1.0017.02/DOC_1&format=PDF

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

As well as its annex: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:9903b325- 6388-11ea-b735-01aa75ed71a1.0017.02/DOC_2&format=PDF

Here useful information can be found about the planned activities from the European Commission

5.2 Preliminary Circular Economy Action Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland The Circular Economy Action plan for the coal mine sector includes actions with the aim to: ▪ Enable the coal mine sector in Poland to eliminate environmental impacts from the discharge of wastewater from current mine operations.

▪ Increase knowledge and awareness of key stakeholders (most importantly coal mine industry) on the existing policy framework around circular economy and the EU Green Deal and their binding targets until 2050.

▪ Make circularity work for the coal mine sector, by establishing communication between all relevant sectors/stakeholders in Poland and beyond.

▪ Improve access to information on the coal mine sector, its importance for Europe and its circular economy potential.

▪ Promote capacity building and training of stakeholders for replicability/transferability of the project results.

▪ Establish structured dialogue for better implementation of the proposed circular economy action plan and possibly establishing follow-up (commercial) projects.

To maximize the impact of the project activities, efforts will be made to participate in relevant events where key stakeholders can be reached, as well as to align our activities with those outlined in the Circular Economy Action Plan from the European Commission. This way, inputs from the project can

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland be provided in a suitable format (e.g., position papers) to influence policymaking. Some of these activities that are included in the Annex to COM(2019) 640 final and may be relevant to the project are listed below: Table 5-1. List with relevant key actions included in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan

No Key action within COM(2019) 640 Date

1 Legislative proposal empowering consumers in the green transition 2020

2 Review of the Industrial Emissions Directive, including the integration of circular As of 2021 economy practices in upcoming Best Available Techniques reference documents

3 Launch of an industry-led industrial symbiosis reporting and certification system 2022

4 Supporting the circular economy transition through the Skills Agenda, the forthcoming As of 2020 Action Plan for Social Economy, the Pact for Skills and the European Social Fund Plus.

5 Supporting the circular economy transition through Cohesion policy funds, the Just As of 2020 Transition Mechanism, and urban initiatives

6 Improving measurement, modelling and policy tools to capture synergies between the As of 2020 circular economy and climate change mitigation and adaptation at EU and national level

7 Reflecting circular economy objectives in the revision of the guidelines on state aid in 2021 the field of environment and energy

8 Proposal for an 8th Environment Action Programme 2020

9 Zero pollution action plan for water, air, and soil 2021

Specific activities will be planned, covering the period of 6 months ahead. This will be reviewed frequently and updated if necessary.

DA.2: Preliminary Circular Economy Plan for the coal mine sector in Poland

5.3 Planning ahead Within the coming 6 months period, the project team will organize the following activities: ▪ Action 1: Identify and contact the authorities in Poland that are responsible for drafting the Territorial Just Transition Plans.

▪ Action 2: Communicate with the “Platform for coal regions in transition” to communicate our Preliminary CE Action Plan, as well as ask for an update regarding the establishment of the “Just Transition Platform” mentioned in COM(22)2020.

▪ Action 3: Present the results in Just Transition Platform meeting – Coal regions in transitions virtual week 16-19 November 20204.

▪ Action 4: Develop the 1st version of the policy brief to present the produced results at regular intervals.

Within the period January – December 2021, SEALEAU in close collaboration with GIG will organize the following activities: ▪ Action 5: Establish a Community of Practice including the key stakeholders.

▪ Action 6: Organize the 1st Stakeholder consultation event;

▪ Action 7: Develop the 2nd version of the policy brief to present the produced results at regular intervals.

4 You can find the presentation here: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/oil-gas-and-coal/EU-coal-regions/connecting- stakeholders/coal-regions-transition-virtual-week%C2%A0-16-18%C2%A0november-outcomes-and-resources_en

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6 Conclusions

In this final chapter, the general conclusions of this report are discussed. It is important to be noted that this deliverable, “D.A.2 – Setting the Circular economy plan for the coal mine sector in Poland” is constantly being updated following an iterative process. All the collected feedback from the site visit in Dębieńsko and the 1st stakeholder consultation event as well as other events will be integrated into this report. The aim is to prepare an Action Plan (“Action B.5. Putting the project results into practice - Development of the circular economy plan for the coal mining sector”) that will enable to put the proposed innovative scheme into practice.

Coal mine industry delivers high value to the EU; however, this comes with a high environmental cost at national or even regional level. Poland represents around 83% of the hard coal production in Europe and as such it comprises the most affected country due to the coal mine discharges. In 2018, an estimated 182.4 million m3 saline waters drained directly to rivers causing substantial damage to polish water resources. Specifically, the consequences are the transformation of the natural aquatic environment, and in extreme cases, eliminating of flora and fauna of the river. Moreover, the salinity of surface water limits the possibility of using water from rivers for municipal as well as for agriculture and industrial purposes, causing $100-$250 million losses per year.

According to modern policy around the carbon neutrality path to 2050, it is apparent that out of the 18 active coal mines today, some will shut down in the 30 years ahead, while few will need to remain open for coking coal production. All closed mines, and especially those that will be neighboring to the few mines that will remain open, will need to be still dewatered to avoid flooding. This will generate salty wastewater streams that need to be treated properly, to ensure environmental protection.

This fact is emphasized by the Dębieńsko case study that was presented thoroughly in this report. Dębieńsko is the 1st plant at a global level that applies a Zero Liquid Discharge system to treat coal mine effluents, able also to recover salt of edible quality. The plant receives approximately 4,440 m3/day from the active Budryk mine and twice this quantity from the neighboring closed Dębieńsko mine – around 8,000 m3/day. As a result, for Budryk to continue operations it was necessary within their operating license to dewater the neighboring closed mine, to avoid flooding risks.

Taking into account the above mentioned along with the fact that there are no low-cost and effective methods to treat the coal mine wastewater, it became evident that there is an increasing need for management of saline water from mining activities in Poland. In the context of the LIFE BRINE- MINING project, this report introduced the initial results to establish a circular economy action plan to enable the polish coal mine industry to follow circular economy practices. To ensure that the produced research results are useful for the relevant stakeholders the design cycle methodology is being applied.

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It is of essential importance to make the action plan that is being developed relevant to all the stakeholders and to establish an open dialogue with them. In this way, the transition of the coal mine sector will be driven into a sustainable pathway stimulating circular economy activities. The key stakeholders identified in this deliverable are the polish authorities, namely Ministry of Climate & Environment, the Ministry of State Assets, the State Water Holding Polish Waters and the Marshal’s Office in local, regional, and national level as well as the polish coal mine industry, namely PGG S.A., Bogdanka S.A., JSW S.A., PG Silesia Sp. z o.o., and Tauron Wydobycie S.A. In addition, EU wide stakeholders play a vital role with the most important being the Coal Regions in Transition Platform.

Furthermore, the policy tools that have been highlighted could make a major contribution in laying the foundation towards energy transition and carbon neutrality, especially the Just Transition Fund and the Structural and Cohesion funds. In this direction, timing is an important factor in view of the strategies and policies that are currently being prepared/ adopted related to the EU Green Deal and CE Action Plan. In response to this, the team is adopting an iterative process following the cycle methodology to collect and present the project findings in the form of policy briefs at regular intervals.

Finally, regarding the establishment of a Circular Economy Action Plan, currently, there is no framework for a specific sector. There is insufficient research on this topic and therefore the authors needed to establish their methodology. In the first screening process, the most relevant policy documents were reviewed. All the relevant key actions included in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan were screened to align them with our activities. Thereby, inputs from the project can be provided in a suitable format to influence policymaking.

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7 References

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[30] E. Janson, G. Gzyl, and D. Banks, “The Occurrence and Quality of Mine Water in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland,” Mine Water Environ., vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 232–244, Oct. 2009, doi: 10.1007/s10230-009-0079-3. [31] Central Statistical Office of Poland, 2015. https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/roczniki- statystyczne/roczniki-statystyczne/rocznik-statystyczny-rzeczypospolitej-polskiej- 2015,2,10.html [32] L. Chatelin, “Waste-to-Energy in Eastern Europe - an investor point of view.” 2020 European Fund for Energy, Climate Change & Infrastructure, 2016. [33] M. Cyranka, M. Jurczyk, and T. Pajak, “Municipal Waste-to-Energy plants in Poland – current projects,” 2016, p. 8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20161000070. [34] GWI, “Desalination Markets 2016,” 2016.

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