The Honorary Badge of Merit for Safety in Mining is awarded by the President of the State Mining Authority in recognition of special contribution to safety in mining, especially activities aimed at improving such safety, in particular by designing, introducing and popularizing new technical solutions and research work related to such solutions. The badge may be awarded to the same person just once.

The St. Barbara’s Day celebration was attended by representatives of state, voivodship and local government authorities and representatives of mining supervision employees from across Poland and largest mining businesses of various types (underground, strip mine and borehole mining), manufacturers of mining machinery and equipment for the industry as well as representatives of academic centers and universities supporting the mining industry.