Following the ahead-of-schedule completion of the first stage of the Modernisation of the Mechanical Coal Processing Facility project of the Budryk Mine owned by Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa, the Mine has commenced its preparations for the second, and final, stage of the investment. The core objective of the two stages is to increase the Mine's share in the production of coking coal and its preparation for the extraction of type 35 coking coal, which is particularly valued by the market, starting in the second quarter of 2014. 
 
The second stage of the modernisation of the mechanical coal processing facility will include the construction of a technological line for the reception of raw coal, which will allow the transportation of type 35 coal (high-quality coking coal) from 1,290 m (seam depth). Moreover, the investment is meant to enable the separate enrichment of the currently extracted type 34 coal and type 35 coal, the extraction of which is planned to begin in the second quarter of 2014. As a result of the commencement of the extraction and enrichment processes, the Budryk Mine will be able to offer a greater amount of coking coal (type 34 and 35), while at the same time reducing the output of power coal. Prior to the commencement of the first stage of the modernisation of the Budryk Mine, in 2009, approximately 20% of the output consisted of coking coal, and 80% of power coal. Following the completion of the first stage, the ratios approximate, respectively, 38% and 62%. 
The second stage of the modernisation of the mechanical coal processing facility at the Budryk Mine should begin after the completion of the ongoing design work and the obtaining of a construction permit. JSW assumes that the construction work will begin at the turn of the third and fourth quarters, and that the investment will be completed and ready for use in the first quarter of 2014. 
 
- "The modernisation performed at Budryk will allow the mine not only to increase the efficiency of its operations and the output of the more profitable coking coal. They are also a technological leap that will make Budryk a more modern mine and ensure even better working conditions for the mine's staff," said Jarosław Zagórowski, the President of the Board of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa.
 
The validity of the investment is confirmed by the ahead-of-schedule completion of its first stage. The goal of that stage was to construct a facility for the removal and dewatering of flotation products. This enabled the Mine to, among other activities, commence the enrichment of coal fines, which have previously been marketed as a product used for power-generating purposes. Following the investment the Company will be able to offer enriched coal fines as high-quality coal with low ash content (stone pollution) for coking plants. As part of the first stage of the undertaking, Budryk's coal enrichment capabilities were enhanced through the construction of additional equipment necessary for coal processing, and of a new building housing 6 filter presses for dewatering waste from the flotation process. The investment was valued at approximately PLN 25 million. 
 
"This investment has already allowed Budryk to achieve a several percent increase in the output of coking coal and an increase in its business results due to a greater share of the most valuable type of coal, coking coal, in its production," commented Stanisław Ziomber, the head of the Mechanical Processing and Coal Quality Office of JSW. "Modern machinery and equipment have considerably enhanced the technological status of the facility, as well as the working conditions." 
 
These works constituted the first stage of the modernisation process; they have been completed. The agreement was executed on 22 October 2009. The investment was carried out by a consortium consisting of Carboautomatyka (the leader) and Carbo (the partner), based in Tychy. The completion of the first stage of the modernisation was initially scheduled for June 2011, but the start-up of the first stage was performed already in early February 2011.