– 10 years ago, at a meeting of the Bolesławiec Business Association, we said that serious consideration should be given to resuming the exploitation of copper deposits in the Bolesławiec area – says Karol Stasik, chairman of the County Council. – At the time, some people listened to this with disbelief.

Meanwhile, several dozen boreholes have already been drilled around Bolesławiec (another 15 will be drilled over the next two years). – The boreholes drilled so far have shown that the copper deposits are substantial – Stasik emphasizes. – They are estimated at around 1.5 million tonnes of pure raw material, which guarantees the profitability of the undertaking. It is estimated that the deposit could be exploited for 25 years.

The county authorities informed Herbert Wirth, president of KGHM Polska Miedź, and Krzysztof Kubacki, director of KGHM’s Department of Exploration and Resource Projects, about the plans to exploit the copper deposits. The copper would be mined in Kruszyn, Łaziska, Stare and Nowe Jaroszowice, Wartowice and Warta Bolesławiecka.

A completely new mine is to be built in our county. The fact that the Lubin-based conglomerate’s plans are serious may be evidenced by KGHM commissioning Wrocław University of Science and Technology to conduct research into improving the efficiency of raw-material extraction. Moreover, an American company specializing in the extraction of precious metals will manufacture special mining machines for the copper giant.

– It is almost certain that copper will once again be mined in our county – says Karol Stasik. – KGHM currently produces 500,000 tonnes of copper per year and wants to increase production to 700,000 tonnes.

What will this mean for the residents of our county? – A tremendous boost – says the head of the County Council. – Several thousand new jobs will be created. This investment will contribute to the development of the town and county in the fields of sport, culture and science. It will also be an alternative to the economic zone.

(information: ii, photo: www.kghm.pl)