Bogdanka is engaged in dialogue with local authorities on environmental issues and the future of the region

The event, dedicated to Bogdanka’s local stakeholders, was attended by representatives of local government units and local authorities at all levels, including heads of mining municipalities, the Provincial Office and the Marshal’s Office, as well as representatives of environmental organisations, members of the Scientific Council for Environmental Protection, social partners and recognised experts.

Bogdanka, as a company distinguished for its effective communication with stakeholders, as well as the reliability and credibility of the data it presents, created an opportunity to address the most important issues in a comprehensive manner, from the perspective of local authorities, providing a forum for a multilateral discussion.

The meeting was opened by Zbigniew Stopa, President of the Management Board of LW Bogdanka, who emphasised the importance of cooperation at a local level:

Not only the stability of municipalities and the safety of thousands of families, but also the future of the mine operations depends on a reliable environmental assessment and responsible decisions. This process requires dialogue and support of the local authorities. We are committed to transparency in all our activities, therefore we provide access to a full range of data and analyses so that every partner knows its position and the decisions we face as a region.

The discussion focused, among others, on the challenges associated with development plans, highlighting the fact that the Company is open to regular dialogue to enable a joint and effective response to the potential challenges and opportunities arising from energy transition and to develop solutions that are beneficial both for local residents and for the Company whilst ensuring the safety of the local natural environment.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the key findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment prepared by the interdisciplinary team of experts from:

• Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
• University of Silesia,
• Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin,
• AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków,

prepared in accordance with the applicable environmental requirements and environmental impact assessment procedures. This document also serves as an important starting point for a wide-ranging dialogue with local authorities and environmental protection agencies. The presentation covered, among others, research methods, the predictive models applied and preliminary analyses of ground deformation, hydrological impacts and environmental effects, as well as a catalogue of measures mitigating environmental impacts, consistent with the hierarchy of mitigation methods (avoidance, minimisation, restoration and compensation).

Dr hab. inż. Artur Dyczko leading the work of the team of authors responsible for the Report, emphasised: Our task is to present the facts reliably and assess potential impacts based on scientific data. The option analysed by experts mitigates surface impacts, restricts operations in areas of particular environmental value and does not require the construction of new surface infrastructure. We are here to discuss the facts and develop jointly the solutions safe for residents and the environment.

Besides the LWB Management Board, the speakers at the meeting included representatives of:

• Ernst & Young, discussing the benefits of ESG reporting for local stakeholders;
• WSEI University, who presented the findings of the research stage entitled “The analysis of the socio-economic impact of LWB on the region”, particularly significant to local government units.
• Foundation for Nature which presented the results of a five-year collaboration on biodiversity conservation;
• the Scientific Council which presented the concept of Poland’s first Scientific Council for Environmental Protection, of which Bogdanka’s project partners can be indirect beneficiaries;

The event also provided an opportunity to present a scientific monograph entitled, “The challenges and opportunities for the sustainable development of Lubelski Węgiel “Bogdanka” S.A. in the context of environmental and socio-economic conditions”. Its scientific dimension will enable LW Bogdanka to undertake further development work in the future, based on irrefutable scientific evidence, for the benefit of the environment and the local community.

Following the presentations, a brief discussion was held during which local councillors asked questions about the impact of the planned activities on local communities and put forward their initial recommendations.

The meeting was concluded with a declaration to continue the dialogue between Bogdanka and its local partners, with special emphasis on the mining municipalities. It was mutually agreed that all key issues relating to future environmental decisions should be addressed jointly – drawing on scientific knowledge, the expertise of specialists and the opinions of local communities.

Further working meetings and discussions with local residents are planned for the forthcoming weeks.