Opportunities and Reasons for the Protection of the Steel and Mining Plant Bolesław, Małopolskie Voivodeship, Poland on the Background of Law Possibilities

The material heritage associated with the industry in the second half of the twentieth century, in particular the period of economic acceleration of the 1960s and the 1970s of the same century, was mainly connected with the heavy industry – the energy and the mining sector. During the times of Bolesław Bierut's Polish People's Republic (the PRL), the state would often take the initiative involving “socialistic industrialization”. The six-year extension plan, realized between 1950–1955, planned for a significant improvement in the industry – the development of mining, the heavy and chemical industry, food, and agriculture as well as the light industry. As was observed by Kaliński, “the industrialization that is based on the doctrinal principles of Stalinism and is executed in a particularly difficult political setting, is marked by a strong autarkical and military tone” [1]. What with the so-called Gomułka's Thaw of 1956, the society had high hopes for economic reforms. The sixties of the twentieth century, brought about, however, a deterioration in the economic situation throughout the country. Projects for pro-market reforms were met with vehement opposition of the communists, as a great deal of accusations of trying to stir up revisionism were made. The decade in which Edward Gierek was in charge did deliver modern technologies to the industry, in particular to the field of machinery, heavy industry and engineering [2]. Due to the special political and economic situation and unique environmental conditions, analogues of similar investments in the Country are not known, they can be considered precedent also on a European scale-so they deserve all the more attention and research. Plants that came into existence at that time often included huge, spatially autonomous complexes which to date, upon the liquidation of their operation, have been subject to progressive transformations: ranging from perfectly executed series of restructuring, through to temporary use, sales and change of function, trough to abandonment or devastation. This downfall resulted from political and economic changes of the eighties and the nineties of the twentieth century, as well as the global phenomena that brought about numerous transformations to the industry, in tandem with the concurrent developments in the processing and the service sectors. The mining industry was the first to have undergone such changes in the entire Europe, as the social aspect of these changes became an overriding issue its material heritage faded into the distance [3, 4, 5]. Objects that are located in those complexes are, in large measure, technically and technologically obsolete, derelict, and devoid of any innovative or artistic features of that period's engineering whatsoever. Moreover, their locations are generally considered to be unattractive [6]. However, more and more questions have been raised as to their historical value, monumental features, as well as cultural or social values that they represent or could have represented.

Figure 1.

The purpose of the research was to specify the legitimacy of protecting the spatial complexes of the mining industry, which came into being in the sixties and the seventies of the twentieth century, and at which the operation has already ceased. The Zakłady Górniczo-Hutnicze Bolesław (mining and metallurgy plant Bolesław) will serve as an example. It is not difficult to find literature that describes the structural transformations of the economy, in tandem with cultural, social, and customary changes, to name but a few, during the time of the PRL – the Polish People's Republic [7, 8]. There are no cohesive or comprehensive studies that would concern the industry of that period. In the archives kept at specific industrial plants that were set up in the sixties and the seventies of the twentieth century, one might observe – often-times incomplete, or even badly maintained – past design documentation associated with a given plant's time of establishment. As far as small and unremarkable construction plants of that time are concerned, these documents constitute the only source of knowledge connected with their past. In studies that concern spatial arrangements or specific buildings, the archives kept by a given plant constitute the only source of knowledge, together with in situ studies. The same scenario applies with the ZGH “Bolesław”.

The ZGH Bolesław, a Mining and Metallurgy Plant, is an industrial plant which, after years of intensive mining and processing activity, and due to the exhaustion of zinc and lead ores, was forced to transform its production profile. In 2010, the ZGH Group acquired Zinc Works “Miasteczko Śląskie” SA. Since 11th December 2012, following the State Treasury's disposal of the majority of shares of the ZGH “Bolesław” S.A. share capital, the Company has been under the ownership of “Stalprodukt S.A.”, a group of companies, based in Bochnia, which is a part of the “AcelorMittal S.A.” (the majority shareholder of the company). In April 2020, a decision was made to cease the mining at the close of 2020. It should be noted that the ZGH Group acquired over 50% of shares of the Gradir Montenegro enterprise, which has been mining the Suplja Stijena deposit in Montenegro. It also has an active mine of zinc and lead ores which is capable of maintaining the operation of the Bolesław and Miasteczko Śląskie works for more than a dozen years. Polish zinc works are currently busy with metal recycling, among other things, and they also process the ore from the mine, which was bought by ZGH, located in Montenegro [9, 10, 24].

Zinc and lead ore deposits in the Cracow and the Silesia regions have been mined since at least the 12^th century. The industrial traditions connected with the mining of those ores have had a massive impact on local communities. As the process of transforming the industrial activity of ZGH often involves closing and liquidating the majority of the post-mining buildings, the local communities have been engaged in a campaign to preserve and provide legal protection for the disused structures, as they serve as a testament to the identity of the region [11]. These objects also include “Dąbrówka” and “Chrobry” as well as the buildings adjoining the head-pit.

In 1957, the construction of the “Olkusz” mine began, while in 1969 the construction of the “Pomorzany” mine was well under way. The “Pomorzany” mine was established in 1974 and it was not until 2020 that it was closed. It was the first and only mine with methane emissions which operated from 1977 to 1995, where underground mining continued. The mine included the following shafts: the “Chrobry” shaft (built in 1970, served as a mining and transport shaft); the “Dąbrówka” shaft (materials and personnel transport shaft), the “Mieszko” shaft (it was used to lower large size machines, closed down in 2009, since 2009 it has served as a ventilation shaft), the “Zachodni” shaft (a ventilation shaft), the “Wschodni” shaft (a ventilation shaft), the Wp-1 shaft (a ventilation shaft, closed down), the Wp-2 shaft (a filling and ventilation shaft) as well as the Franciszek inclined shaft (used for transporting machines and equipment).

The “Olkusz” mine came into being in 1962 and after operating for many years, it was closed down in 2003. It functioned as an underground mine and consisted of the following shafts: the “Bronisław” shaft (until 2006, it functioned as a personnel transport and mining shaft, today it is used for ventilation only, it sits at 238 m above sea level), the “Chrobry” shaft (built in 1970, used for mining and personnel transport, today it is part of the “Pomorzany” mine), the Stefan shaft (transport for the maintenance team responsible for drainage pumps, was used as material shaft, level 251 above the sea level, and 238 m above the sea level) [10].

The urban structure of the ZGH Bolesław's mines came into being around the same time, in the early seventies of the nineteenth century. It is based on a modern and specific paradigm prepared for the formation of industrial zones. It is a raster-based scheme, orthogonal, usually based on the urban guidelines, and an exposure of the local dominant features. Such structures were popular in the period of the economic acceleration of the seventies of the twentieth century and are now associated not only with mining but also with the broadly defined heavy industry [13].

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To date, practically all these guidelines have survived, and there has been nothing to suggest that they should undergo any changes due to their unique features. These structures are incredibly effective in terms of transportation and logistics, they are also considered rational, functional, and moreover, they bring order to the parent space of the plants. They also guarantee sufficient affiliation to specific objects, including the greenery.

As far as the examples of such assumptions are concerned, one might distinguish urban planning schemes of the “Sośnica” mine, a hard coal mine in Gliwice (1945–2005), or the “Borynia” (which was built between 1962–1971), located in Jastrzębie where similar, headframe towers were erected, as well as major urban planning schemes, such as the Huta Katowice (Katowice Steelworks, built between 1972–1976) [6].

The area of the “Pomorzany”, a mining industry, is classified as a minor urban planning scheme, usually linked to the necessary functional equipment, in this case to the “Dąbrówka” shaft, and its head pit buildings.

These structures were located in the central part of the site and were surrounded by mandeuvre roads and interconnected buildings encapsulating the main axes of the scheme, together with the administration and employee frontage on the southern side. The buildings intended for haulage machines that are set transversely to the head-pit, form a criss-cross plan bearing east-west and are inclined to the north. The architecture of the industrial buildings, which is stylistically homogenous, distinguishes itself thanks to its dominant simplicity of material and form, however, the standard is not on par with the contemporary requirements.

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The urban planning scheme of the “Olkusz” mine constitutes a significantly larger scheme, with visible similarity to the large-scale urban planning of large industrial plants. A multi-axial, orthogonal urban scheme is distinguishable both in the north-south and in the east-west direction. Despite functional changes, that scheme is still considered not only functional but also efficient.

What attracts attention is certainly the closed formation of the greenery in the central part of the layout. In this context, the criss-cross layout of the building of the head-pit and haulage machines is not so clear and visible. At present, the plant is undergoing numerous transformations, hence the architecture of the complex features several spontaneous, temporary buildings, which depreciate the quality and clarity of that space, although the primary architecture of the scheme still remains attractive thanks to careful architecture and choice of materials. Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, the standard is not on par with the contemporary functional requirements, nor with the expectations of users.

The current planning arrangements of both sites provide for further industrial land use, with the Municipality of Boleslaw continuing to maintain the mining character of the area (tagged as PG1) while the Municipality of Olkusz establishes the industrial and production use (tagged as D1 PP) [25] [26]. It should be added that for both the first and the second area no protection zones, nuisance zones or impact limits have been established in connection with the further planned use of these areas.

Leaving the previous industrial status of the two sites in significantly different spatial contexts may imply a lack of interest on the part of municipalities in the material legacy in these areas, and may also be the result of insufficient exchange of information between the mining company and municipalities.

The “Dąbrówka” shaft is the main shaft of the “Pomorzany” mine (currently functioning as an air shaft). It was built around the year 1974. It is located on the premises of the former “Pomorzany” mine in Bolesław, in plot no. 225/5. It had played the role of a material and personnel transport shaft.

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This shaft has a diameter of 7.5 meters and is 154.8 meters deep. The extraction level of the shaft is located at a depth of 136.7 m. It consists of two sections: the cage part which is intended for personnel transport, and the skip part which is intended for the transportation of output. The “ladder” section of the shaft has also been assigned. The shaft was made within a concrete enclosure that is 60 cm thick. The “Dąbrówka” tower shaft is a tower of a trestle construction, made of steel girder and analogous lattices, with a total height of 51 m, (gantry crane's platform) and 37 m to the level of cable wheels. The shaft cage, together with the stairs has been made into a steel construction, a latticed grid, to the level of forty-four meters (the second level of the cable wheels), while the whole structure is crowned with a flag mast that is 10 m in height. The spacing between the headframes is sixty-six meters at the ground level. The foundation based on concrete blocks lies under each of the legs of the tower. The mine cage is based on the plan of the shaft [17].

Figure 11.

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The building of the head-pit is a “skeletal” structure. The steel skeleton possesses three over-ground technological levels. The main weight-bearing construction is made of steel girders in the shape of frames. The secondary construction of the walls and floors consists of beams and steel pillars. The filling is made of prefabricated ferroconcrete wall and floor elements. The joinery of the door, gates, and windows (transoms) is made of steel, uninsulated, and singular. The building has been equipped with all industrial installations; it is insulated using steam heaters [17]. The surrounding of the building is made up of maneuvre roads paved with sett and concrete slabs.

The most identifiable, clearly visible from the national road no. 94, the “Chrobry” shaft is located next to an active processing plant, a heat generating plant and a wastewater treatment plant, of the closed-down “Olkusz-Pomorzany” mine (formerly known as the “Olkusz” mine).

The shaft was dug in the period stretching from December 1970 to July 1972 and was made in the fashion of the “Dąbrówka” shaft, encased in 60 cm wide concrete. It was built to serve as the main personnel transport shaft, today it serves as a downcast and personnel transport shaft. It is located in lots 845 and 4964/43, although the entire complex consists of a great deal more of real estate.

The “Chrobry” shaft possesses a large, steel tower, a twin to the Dąbrówka shaft, painted blue in keeping with the tradition. The shaft is equipped with two skips and two cages for the transport of personnel. This shaft has a diameter of 7.5 meters and is 249.3 meters deep.

Figure 13.

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Its extraction levels are located at the depth of 164 and 204.9 meters. It is comprised of two sections: a two-cage section for personnel transport, and a double, skip-type cage intended for the transport of output. Moreover, also a ladder section was appropriated there.

The tower of the “Chrobry” shaft is a twin tower to the “Dąbrówka” shaft, it has an A-form construction, made of steel girders and a steel lattice, 51 m of height, (the platform of the gantry crane) and sits at 37 meters to the primary level of the cable wheels.

The pit cage, together with the stairs constitute a steel construction, grates, to the level of forty-four meters (the second level of cable wheels). The spacing between the head frames, just as before, is sixty-six meters at ground level. The tower's foundations are based on concrete blocks, one under each of the legs of the tower. The pit cage was based on the plan of the shaft [20].

The building of the head-pit of the “Chrobry” shaft is a building based on a skeletal construction, it has a steel skeleton, also with three technological levels. The main load-bearing construction is made up of steel frame-shaped girders and the secondary construction of walls and floors – consists of beams and steel pillars. The filling is made of prefabricated ferroconcrete wall and floor elements. The metal joinery of the doors, gates, and windows (transoms) is made of steel, uninsulated and singular. The building is equipped with all the industrial installations, heated by means of steam heaters [20]. The surrounding of the building – similarly as in the case of the “Dąbrówka” shaft – consists of manoeuvre roads, paved in the sett and concrete slabs.

The historical context of the establishment and the functioning of the objects of ZGH “Bolesław” does not provide formal reasons to be put under legal protection. The statutory criteria for the valuation of the monuments in these categories are insufficient and cannot be used to specify their actual valors [21, 22].

The buildings came into being between 1970 and 1974, however, they do not constitute cultural assets within the meaning of the aforementioned Act. Neither is there any practice that would dictate the protection of industrial structures that date back to the economic acceleration of the seventies of the twentieth century, and earlier periods, nor their introduction into the register of monuments, moreover, examples of such practices remain unknown. The historical context is significant in the case of the post-industrial developments of the nineteenth century as they were classified as special due to e.g., the application of novel technology. Decommissioning procedures of mining companies, like their construction, are not subject to a uniform strategy or policy. They are influenced by economic, spatial conditions and State policy, but also by the influence of local pressure groups and business circles. Hence, here, too, it is impossible to establish a clear direction for restructuring changes or rehabilitation, or to determine the profile of plant decommissioning. It can be added that such phenomena are not isolated and the transformations in each case have a very different and unique character [23, 24].

They are subject to revitalization, bestowing new functions on them, as in the case of the following shafts: The Maciej shaft in Zabrze, the President in Chorzów, Jerzy shaft in Katowice, the railroad shaft of the Guido mine in Zabrze, the “Kozłowa” and “Basztowa” tower shafts of the the “Polska” mine in Świętochłowice or the “Carnall” zone in Zabrze.

Both the urban planning context and the architecture of the industrial complexes constitute a document that describes the competence in the building technique and technology of the period in which they came into being. Although these technologies are largely out of use, they should be considered rather obsolete, not original or unique solutions that require protection or documentation. These technologies never constituted any breakthroughs in a given discipline.

The broadly defined landscape context seems to be a separate matter in this case. Tower shafts that belong to the landscape of the city and the region constitute a value in itself – as a spatial dominant feature, and more. They are a testament not only to the time that passed but also a landmark, a mark in the space which are not only symbolical, but also heroic – of civilizational, cultural, and technical changes.

The scientific aspect of the assessment is an answer to the question of whether the researched heritage might be the subject of scientific study, at present or in the future, and if so, what type of research would that be. For the purpose of documenting the researched buildings and structures, fragments of records and stock taking, as well as related issues are documented on the basis of historical examples, which are more interesting and feature undisputed value.

The shaft towers and the head-pit buildings of the GH “Bolesław” do not represent any exceptional value, neither historical nor artistic. Neither do they constitute anything worthy of scientific research. It might be stated that there are formal premises for putting the area, the buildings, and relics of the technology found on the site of ZGH Bukowno under protection. Owing to their exceptional value, as far as the said landscape of that cultural region is concerned, it is recommended that the shaft towers be preserved. One might consider moving them to tourist-recreational areas where they could serve as an attraction, e.g., in the form of observation towers. However, choosing a new spot for their exposure requires additional analyses for such towers (or a single tower) to become an element of a given spatial and landscape arrangement. Such arrangements could come in the form of educational footpaths, tourist paths, observation spots and similar functions connected with recreation and spending leisure time.

The prospects of the closed-down industrial plants of the 60s–70s of the twentieth century look rather gloomy. Due to their age and technical values, they are not eligible for statutory protection as assets of national culture. Even in clear cases, there is a lack of methodology connected with the research or clearly defined assessment criteria for the features of these structures, not to mention the criteria for distinguishing them. Additional destructive factors are the lack of funds for investments as well as poor social awareness concerning their value, not excluding the investors.

Apparently, the additional aspects of the assessment that are conducive to determining the historical value of contemporary post-industrial buildings, apart from those which had been defined statutorily, such as the history, social and cultural values, should be included in the role that they play, or could play within the landscape, usually the favourable features of urban arrangement – effective and efficient even today, or the innovation of the technology applied and the originality of technical solutions, understood as the contemporary level of technical competence. Only such complex and extended assessment will allow for such complexes to be evaluated and will allow for a justification of the decision, or its lack, to provide protection for the researched complex/development, an individual building or construction – as a monument of technology and to put it/them under legal protection, keeping in mind that each case should be considered individually.