In accordance with prevailing law, the mining entrepreneur is obliged to repair the damage through restitution, and when it is impossible or cost grossly exceed the amount of damage suffered - to pay compensation. The damage is estimated only by the independent appraisers in accordance with applicable standards and procedures, not by the mine workers.
And it's not just about the houses themselves. Also forests, fields and other farm lands are taken into account as mine pays also for the losses in crops and sowings.
The prevention works as well as those related to the removal of mining damage, are regularly coordinated with local governments and private property owners. The repair or compensation does not have to fight in court - 98 percent of JSW repairs is performed through a settlement agreement between the mine and the owner of the property. Only about 2 percent of the cases are brought to court, which is a small percentage considering how important and emotional issues are dealt with.
Over PLN 28 million have been spent on repairs by the company by the end of July this year. This amount includes both compensation for buildings destroyed or lost crops, drainage works and hydraulic engineering, sidewalks repairs and roads, as well as expenditure on protecting buildings from mining influences. Borynia Site has fixed among other things, 10 residential buildings for a total amount of PLN 1.5 million, Zofiówka Site has repaired the pavement at Jastrzębska street in Gogołowa and 2 residential buildings for PLN 2.9 million.
KWK Pniówek has restored the railway tracks, roads, watercourses, sewage networks and 21 residential buildings for a total amount of PLN 13.9 million. KWK Krupiński performed work related to the renovation of the tracks, watercourses and 26 residential buildings. The total cost is PLN 2.8 million. Budryk mine has performed track renewal of JSK sp. z o.o. in Chudów, drainage ditch and Chudowski creek, 42 residential buildings and the local drainage network for a total amount of PLN 3.9 million. Whereas Knurów Szczygłowice mine – has made railway track renewal of PKP and JSK, municipal road and 53 residential buildings for PLN 4.9 million.