This article provides the results of the first attempt to substantiate the rates of energy consumption and energy savings during the well-drilling process. It is proposed to accept the electrical energy consumption rate as a planned indicator of consumption of resources in the production of a unit of work of a specified quality. For a comprehensive assessment of the efficiency of use of energy resources during production of similar or substitute work, we determined specific energy consumption (designed, planned, actual), which includes direct consumption of all energy types in the production of a unit of work for basic and auxiliary production and operational needs, including from the consumption volume of mentioned resources and energy supply. Classification of consumption rates of electrical energy according to its action period and size scale has been proposed. The composition and amount of energy consumption rates during well-drilling have been described. The technological, expedition, and group rates of electricity consumption for drilling wells during design, survey, and technological work were determined. Electricity input items in drilling operations have been determined. For the first time, a set of measures to reduce energy costs during drilling is shown. The diagram developed for assessment of well performance allows prediction of technological and expedition rates of electricity consumption. Its creation, knowledge/understanding, implementation, analysis, and assessment by means of telemetry will allow evaluation of energy consumption when simulating drilling operations with varying drilling parameters. It will also provide an opportunity to select optimal technological or expedition rates of electricity consumption, taking account of drilling components at each depth: maximum drilling rate under constant weight on bit or maximum penetration. Based on the diagram, organizational and technical measures are proposed to save energy resources and reduce their consumption. The proposed measures allow saving up to 30–40% on energy costs.

The method of analyzing the results of dust concentration measurements in mine workings that was conducted within the ROCD (Reducing risks from Occupational exposure to Coal Dust) European project using the developed dust prediction algorithm is presented. The analysis was based on the measurements of average dust concentration with the use of the CIP-10R gravimetric dust meters, for the respirable PM4 dust concentration, and IPSQ analyzer for instantaneous concentration measurements (including PM2.5 dust) and with the use of Pł-2 optical dust meters for instantaneous concentration measurements of PM10 dust. Based on the analyses of the measurement results, the characteristics of the distribution of PM10, PM4, and PM2.5 dust particles were developed for the tested dust sources. Then, functional models based on power functions were developed. The determined models (functions) allow predicting the dust distribution in such conditions (and places) for which we do not have empirical data. The developed models were implemented in a specially developed online tool, which enables predicting the concentration of PM10, PM4, and PM2.5 dust (on the basis of dust concentration of one source) at any distance from the dust source.

As a result of energy transformation and decarbonization, the production of hard coal and lignite mining plants is gradually being phased out. Mine heaps, i.e., mine waste heaps, created as a result of the operation of these plants, are not attractive as land for housing, for the construction of production plants, or for agriculture. One of the most advantageous ways of recultivating these areas is using them as a place for the installation of renewable energy sources. In the case of post-mining heaps, it seems natural to use photovoltaics and wind turbines due to the artificial elevation of the terrain. This issue was analysed within the RFCS project SUMAD (Sustainable Use of Mining Waste Heaps). Experts from various countries and scientific disciplines analysed possible scenarios for the mine heaps’ management, with a special attention to geotechnical, environmental and socio-economic challenges. This article discusses one of the variants, namely the possibility of constructing the wind turbines on mining heaps.

Mining industry is currently one of the biggest industries in the world. All mines produce "indispensable" minerals, starting from fuels such as coal and ending with noble metals such as gold or copper. Mines in the world compete in the volumes of mined minerals what requires use of state-of-the-art, more efficient and, and what is more important, safer machines. Such trend favors development of technology and mobilize engineers to adapt the technologies that were used so far in easier environment to the needs of the mining industry. The article presents the issue of energy recuperation in mining battery locomotives. Simulation tests of the power supply and control system of the Lea type battery locomotive are discussed. The results of tests on the electric energy consumption of the locomotive during the operational change in the mine were presented, which were referred to the simulation results. Factors influencing the efficiency of energy recovery and the risk resulting from hydrogen emission in the recuperation process have been indicated. Also discussed is the study of the concentration of hydrogen concentration emitted from the battery of lead-acid cells during their recharging in the process of electrical braking with energy recuperation.

Methane (CH₄) is one of the most important greenhouse gases, and substantially impacts climate change. Over a 20-year period, its global warming potential (GWP) is approximately 80 times higher than that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). One of the significant sources of methane emissions is the hard coal mining industry, particularly regarding the release of methane with mine ventilation air. Methane released from coal seams during mining operations and discharged into the atmosphere through exhaust shafts is referred to as VAM (Ventilation Air Methane). In the context of the European Union’s climate policy, activities aimed at reducing and utilizing VAM emissions are gaining increasing importance. One initiative supporting the development of such solutions is the research project ProVAM (Reduction of Ventilation Air Methane Emissions in the Coal Mining Transformation Process), implemented by a consortium of scientific and industrial institutions from EU member states. The project focuses on developing guidelines and selecting technologies dedicated to the utilization of VAM. This article presents a methodology for assessing parameters associated with VAM emissions and provides a characterization of the selected mine exhaust shafts analyzed within the ProVAM project. Key technical factors affecting the feasibility of using oxidation technologies to reduce methane emissions from hard coal mining are identified.