From digitization to environmental protection to safety of underground works – IMF 2019 is the source of knowledge for the entire mining industry. The second day of the international conference was devoted to numerous subjects of importance for the mining world. Discussion panels and lectures were conducted under numerous addresses. One of the major points of IMF 2019 was the signing of cooperation agreements between the JSW Group and the major IT companies: Microsoft, IBM and SAP Polska. - Industry 4.0 is a direction in which we are inevitably going – said Prof. Artur Kozłowski, director of the Institute of Innovative Technologies EMAG.- Automation, digital data and digital communication is the direction that has already been set in the industry and coincides with the development direction of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa.  

A series of lectures was delivered in JSW plants, focusing among others on the automation of production, energy optimization in mines and devoted to technical details of underground mining. Another important item on the agenda was the discussion on the remediation of negative consequences of industrial operations. The session at the International Congress Center in Katowice was attended by scientists from several countries in Europe. - Learning from British experiences is very important for us; we really appreciate all the information about the remediation of effects of industrial operations – Daniel Ozon, President of the JSW Management Board, said during the panel. – Our involvement in reclamation of post-industrial areas is our ethical commitment. In this respect, Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa invited cooperation of experts from the University of Silesia. SPIN-US, the university’s special-purpose vehicle, was one of the signatories of the letter of intent. - The project will be focused on using knowledge of the scientists from the Biology Department at the University of Silesia to increase the value of land that was degraded or damaged by mining activity – said Katarzyna Papież-Pawełczak, President of the Management Board of SPIN-US.

A new idea from JSW Innowacje, a JSW Group company, was also presented in Katowice. Soon, the company will launch nowylevel.pl, a web portal for individuals and companies with innovative ideas, especially applicable to the industry and the carbochemical sector. – In this project the key thing is opening ourselves to the outside, going beyond “what cannot be done” – explained Jacek Srokowski, Vice President of JSW Innowacje.

Much attention was also devoted to traditional aspects of the mining activity, such as the shaft sinking technology. The fourth industrial revolution was discussed at the offices of JSW Innowacje in Katowice where scientists, engineers, drilling specialists, new mine construction experts and shaft sinking professionals met. They included the representatives of Przedsiębiorstwo Budowy Szybów, one of two Polish companies specializing in these very difficult works. At present, JSW is in the process of acquiring that company. - Two years ago, no-one could predict that Przedsiębiorstwo Budowy Szybów would become part of the JSW Group. I am really happy about it, because the acquisition of PBSz primarily guarantees JSW’s safety in securing access to new coking coal resources and consequently an increase in the output and sales to more than 18 million tons. It is a very deliberate strategy on the part of JSW – said Artur Dyczko, the JSW Strategy and Development Representative while presenting the key strategic objectives of the company.

Przedsiębiorstwo Budowy Szybów is a company with 70 years of tradition. It continues to develop and has much to offer to Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa. - Przedsiębiorstwo Budowy Szybów has changed owners many times. I do hope that JSW is the last owner we will ever need. We are here to do the most difficult jobs. In the past, shaft sinking technologies were not very advanced; currently, with the cooperation of numerous universities and by implementing innovations, we can perform these works very efficiently. We are ready for that – Marcin Mieszczak, Vice-President of the PBSz Management Board.

During the final day of IMF 2019, a session was held that was attended by local government officials from the mining townships, representatives of schools and kindergartens. During the session, the JSW President announced the launch of operations of the JSW Foundation.