The Environment

Coal mining and environmental changes related thereto are a phenomenon which must be taken into consideration in every area of mining. As early as in the 18th century mining changed the face of the landscape, the demographics, social conditions as well as the quality of the environment in the region quite radically. Although the estimates of the volume of these changes are only approximate, still they illustrate the dramatic extent of that activity.

However, by the second half of last century the mining companies did not consider the impact of their activities on nature in the Ostrava region at all or only sporadically. As a modern enterprise, OKD is aware of its responsibility for living conditions in the region and pays due attention to them.

Today it is no longer true that the landscape in the vicinity of mine workings is black and destroyed. The surroundings of coal deposits in the Ostrava and Karviná region show only isolated signs of mining activity. Those who last saw this landscape a couple of years ago would not recognize it now. OKD contributes considerable funds into reclamation of the landscape.

In the Ostrava region high-quality hard coal is exploited exclusively by deep mining. The production burdens the local landscape and environment in several ways:

• surface phenomena during exploitation
• production of waste rock and burrows (waste dumps)
• pumping of underground waters
• production of fire-damp
• coal sludge

The existence of rich stock of hard coal and methane in the Beskydy region still represents a sensitive environmental issue.