Assessment of the Condition of Soils before Planned Hard Coal Mining in Southern Poland: A Starting Point for Sustainable Management of Fossil Fuel Resources

In Poland’s largest mining district, the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, there is a growing interest in resource development by small operators. Some concession areas are not yet directly affected industry. The objects of this research two such and goal to determine load heavy metals (HM) soils prior projects assess extent their contamination at stage. studied were Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, while HM was assessed using Contamination Factor (CF), Degree (CD), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geoaccumulation (Igeo). Ecological Risk Potential (ER) Comprehensive (PERI) also employed. pre-mining close an area where terminated before 2000. For area, we performed same set analyses as for studied. concentration levels pollution indices post-mining significantly higher than areas. results obtained give idea expected type scale potential threat from can form basis monitoring environmental subsequent investment operation phases, well help develop implement timely methods prevent increase metal immission during activities. We believe that presented approach assessing condition starting stage support sustainable management energy resources cases elsewhere.