The Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences

En países en desarrollo como Ecuador, es crucial incrementar la capacidad energética para respaldar la industrialización y fomentar un crecimiento económico sostenible. Una planificación estratégica eficiente en el sector energético resulta esencial para minimizar los costos vinculados a la generación y el transporte de energía eléctrica, y para asegurar un suministro confiable y eficiente. Este estudio introduce un modelo de programación lineal entera mixta (MILP) para una planificación multietapa de la expansión integrada de generación y transmisión de energía. El modelo se aplica al sistema eléctrico ecuatoriano, específicamente a un caso de prueba propuesto de 56 nodos (56-Bus SNI Ecuador System), se evalúa el período de 2018 a 2031. Este modelo demuestra que las actuales iniciativas del Plan Maestro de Electricidad son suficientes para cubrir la futura demanda proyectada. La generación hidroeléctrica se mantendría predominante con el 76.60 % de participación en 2031. Paralelamente, la generación térmica, pese a representar solo el 22.51 % de la producción futura, incurre en el 81.90 % de los costos operativos, lo que plantea significativos desafíos de eficiencia económica y sostenibilidad ambiental. De ahí que, es fundamental diversificar la matriz energética y optimizar la planificación para una transición energética sostenible en el contexto de escasez de recurso hídrico cada vez más recurrente en Ecuador.

The necessary ecosystem services can be effectively provided through the diverse functioning and processes of ecosystems. Apart from services provided by natural and semi-natural ecosystems, the study on ecosystem development on mineral habitats, established as by-products of mining activity, have revealed surprising results. Unrecognised yet crucial ecosystem services can be provided by novel ecosystems that develop spontaneously on mineral sites created due to human activities, such as mineral mining. These mineral habitats and the ecosystems established de novo provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Modelling ecosystem functioning can simulate and predict the effects of interventions on ecosystem services provided by novel ecosystems. This approach supports adaptive management strategies that maximise desired services while minimising negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Understanding the functioning of novel ecosystems and their ecosystem services is crucial for enhancing resilience, promoting restoration efforts, and implementing sustainable land-use practices. Recognising the importance of ecosystem services provided by novel ecosystems and involving stakeholders in decision-making processes can foster public support for conservation initiatives and promote collaboration among diverse stakeholders. This approach is particularly important given that many activities related to the re-development of post-industrial areas, especially post-mining regions, have fallen short of achieving their objectives. The essential role of ecosystem services provided by natural, semi-natural, and novel ecosystems highlights the importance of the ecosystem functioning modelling approaches. Such approaches are needed to understand and quantify these services in the context of adhering to sustainable development principles during urban development.

Closing coal mines in Poland is an important part of the energy transition aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting climate commitments. These decisions are particularly important in mining regions such as Silesia, where the mining industry is the main pillar of the economy. Given the gradual closure of mines and the reduction of employment in the mining sector, there is a need to analyse the migration of workers and their potential adaptation to the labour market. This paper aims to examine the impact of mine closures on the employment structure of the national economy using the input-output method. The analysis includes a decomposition of input-output tables (TPMD), in which branches such as thermal coal, coking coal, and lignite were distinguished. This has made it possible to precisely track economic flows between subsectors of the economy and identify which sectors are most vulnerable to the negative effects of reduced coal mining in Poland. The analysis also shows how a change in coal mining may affect related sectors such as energy, transport, and steel, increasing the need for structural adjustments. In particular, the article focuses on possible scenarios for the migration of workers from the closing mines and their re-deployment. Various coal reduction (WR) variants are considered, including WR25%, WR50%, WR75%, and WR100%, reflecting scenarios of declining domestic production. The paper also considers the possible substitution of domestic coal with imported raw materials (WS). The article concludes by identifying the most important conclusions.

The iron and steel industry is a sector with very high energy consumption and also causing high emissions. It is difficult to imagine the development of modern sectors of the economy such as construction, transport or the machinery industry without the use of steel, so forecasts indicate that the demand for steel will increase in the future. Meanwhile, environmental concerns and concerns about climate change are growing, so the iron and steel industry faces a serious challenge related to reducing its emissions in order to achieve the goal set in the Paris Agreement, and this is even more true for this industry in the European Union. Currently, the most popular technology for steel production is the blast furnace process – basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF). This technology requires the use of coal, which is a source of emissions, so a radical technological change is needed. Decarbonising the steel industry requires changing from coal-based metallurgy to hydrogen-based and electricity-based metallurgy. Changing from primary to secondary steel production (using scrap steel) improves the situation but is not a solution to meet growing demand. There are two main technology paths that can achieve significant CO2 reduction. The first is Smart Carbon Usage (SCU), which is based on the gradual reduction of coal consumption, including the use of by-product gases for further conversion into valuable products. The second emerging technology path is Carbon Direct Avoidance (CDA). These and other developing methods of low-emission or zero-emission metallurgy are discussed in the article. Unfortunately, some of these methods are not mature and their final commercialisation requires overcoming a number of problems.

Water and wastewater management sector is one of the basic areas of implementing a circular economy ( CE ). Enterprises operating in this sector are mainly wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) managed by municipalities or private companies. They encounter various barriers and facilitators to implement CE , in the area of technology development and management. However, a limited number of works in the available literature focus on nontechnological aspects of implementing CE in WWTPs. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of challenges (including driving forces and barriers) for WWTPs in the process of implementing CE policy goals. The PESTEL strategic analysis method was used, taking into account the identification of political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors. It was confirmed that there are more incentives than barriers to actively implementing CE model in analyzed enterprises. The most important driving forces include: (i) favorable European CE policy, as recommendations and law regulations in the area of water, raw materials, and energy recovery; (ii) society's pressure on resource protection; (iii) possible revenues from the sale of recovered water, energy or CE ‐fertilizers; (iv) financial support for CE solutions. Among defined barriers that could slow down the circular transformation, the most important are: (i) lack of clearly stated regulations regarding water, energy, and raw materials recovery, as well as transparency and regulatory risk; (ii) limited own financial resources of WWTPs operators; (iii) high cost of investments and maintaining recovery/recycling technologies. Those results may be of key importance to practitioners in strategic decision making for the improved application of circularity in the operating process. Because the implementation of CE solutions should have an integrated approach throughout the enterprise, it is recommended to develop circular business models for these companies, that would take into account both the core business (water and wastewater management) as well as possibilities of further CE implementation, such as recovery of water, energy, and raw materials. In the coming years, such solutions could be financially supported by the national and European sources, which may have a positive impact on the acceleration to the CE model.

Water and wastewater sector actively participates in circular economy ( CE ) transition; however, there is no official CE monitoring framework to measure the level of progress toward the CE model in this sector. The paper presents a set of environmental indicators that could support water and wastewater treatment companies in the assessment of CE implementation. CE indicators were grouped into six areas of CE implementation in this sector: reduction —prevention of wastewater generation; reclamation ( removal )—contamination removal from water and wastewater; reuse —water reuse for nonpotable usage; recycling —water reuse for potable usage; recovery —recovery of raw materials and energy from water‐based waste; and rethink —rethinking use of raw materials. The following indicators were proposed in specific CE areas: reduction —tap water consumption reduction, wastewater generation reduction, waste reduction, sewage sludge generation reduction, and water footprint; reclamation —pollutants removal from water and pollutants removal from wastewater; reuse —water reuse from wastewater for nonpotable usage and recycling of technical water for nonpotable usage; recycling —water reuse from wastewater for potable usage; recovery —raw materials recovery, bio‐based fertilizers, energy recovery, processing of sewage sludge, composting of sewage sludge, biogas production, and processing of ashes; and rethink — CE technologies, life cycle assessment reports, CE products, and CE business models, industrial symbiosis, and carbon footprint. The proposed CE indicators can be used not only to assess the level of transformation toward CE but also to support further policies on strategic CE initiatives in organizations operating in the water and wastewater sector. Moreover, they could support the strategic planning of further CE initiatives in organizations. The proposed list of CE indicators is not closed because in the coming years, more and more CE solutions are expected to be developed and implemented in water and wastewater treatment plant companies, involving also economic and social aspects, in order to support the sustainable development.

The properties and composition of the sludge generated in water treatment systems depend primarily on the type and composition of the water to be treated, the treatment methods, and the type and doses of chemical reactants. The sludge produced in the water treatment plant (WTP) under study follows the technological processes of coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration. The analyses aimed to characterize the sludge in terms of its physico-chemical properties and classify it in terms of its potential discharge into the river and management. Four series of sediment tests were conducted over a calendar year (March, June, September and December), analysing selected parameters using various test methods, including the X-ray crystallography (XRF) method. The publication's authors showed that the sediment consists mainly of sand, clay, and silt particles with grain sizes ranging from 0.001 mm to 1 mm. Silica (53.78%), alumina (23.58%), calcium oxide (8.28%), iron (III) oxide (5.61%), and potassium oxide (2.36%) represent the main chemical constituents present in the sediment. The authors characterized the sediment in terms of the content of biogenic compounds: various forms of phosphorus and nitrogen, organic compounds – determined as total organic carbon (TOC), selected metals, and the content of individual elements (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur). In addition, the sludge samples were also characterized in terms of calorific value, ash content, water content, and heat of combustion. Discharging WTP sludge into rivers, ponds, and lakes or storing dewatered sludge is an environmentally unfriendly form of disposal for this type of waste. The authors see the possibility of conducting further research on using WTP sludge in wastewater treatment, removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions, producing cement and construction materials, and recovering or recycling.

Artykuł przedstawia rezultaty badań przeprowadzonych w ramach projektu ENTRANCES (finansowanego ze środków programu Horyzont 2020), które skoncentrowały się na analizie uwarunkowań socjologicznych w procesie transformacji polegającej na rezygnacji z produkcji węgla. Polskim obszarem badawczym w tym projekcie był region Śląska. Badania dotyczyły problemów, jakie w sposób nieunikniony dosięgną społeczność regionu w miarę coraz głębszych przeobrażeń na drodze do rezygnacji z węgla kamiennego. W artykule zidentyfikowane zostały główne wyzwania, przed którymi stoi ten region kraju, w kontekście adaptacji do głębokich zmian wynikających z likwidacji podstawowych miejsc pracy, jakimi w regionie są kopalnie węgla. Ponadto, autorzy artykułu proponują strategie, które mogą być stosowane w celu skutecznego radzenia sobie z tymi wyzwaniami. Propozycje strategii obejmują zarówno działania na poziomie polityki publicznej, jak i inicjatywy podejmowane przez sektor prywatny oraz społeczność lokalną. Zastosowana metoda badawcza objęła szeroką analizę wielu wymiarów, którym poddawane jest społeczeństwo regionu w warunkach przejściowych w ramach pięciu komponentów: socjo-kulturowego, socjo-psychologicznego, socjo-politycznego, socjo-ekonomicznego i socjo-ekologiczno-technicznego. Wyodrębnione wyzwania i opracowane możliwe do zastosowania strategie stanowią podsumowanie szerokich badań. Uzyskane wyniki pozwalają na głębsze zrozumienie procesów społecznych w trakcie transformacji energetycznej w regionach węglowych, a także sformułowanie praktycznych rozwiązań dla regionu śląskiego i innych obszarów.

Radzenie sobie z ryzykiem z jego konsekwencjami to nieodzowny i specyficzny element każdego działania biznesowego. Celem artykułu była ocena poziomu ryzyka związanego z procesem eksploatacji złóż węgla kamiennego wykorzystywanych do produkcji koksu w Polsce, dlatego opracowano metodykę uwzględniającą wpływ istotnych czynników ryzyka wynikających zarówno z warunków geologicznych, jak i górniczych, na koszt jednostkowy wydobycia węgla. Metodologia ta stanowi kompleksowe podejście do zrównoważonego zarządzania zasobami węgla kamiennego. Kluczowym źródłem informacji o czynnikach ryzyka eksploatacyjnego jest opracowany cyfrowy model geologiczny złoża węgla kamiennego. Zawiera model strukturalny oraz model jakościowy podstawowych parametrów jakościowych węgla. Modele strukturalne i modele jakości węgla opracowano na podstawie profili litostratygraficznych z odwiertów badań geologicznych i obserwacji podziemnych (otwory wiertnicze z wyrobisk podziemnych i ich profilowanie). Model siatki strukturalnej zawiera również informacje o zaburzeniach tektonicznych (uskokach) lub zaburzeniach sedymentacji (interkalacje, wymywania itp.). Model cyfrowy posłużył jako podstawa do opracowania harmonogramów prac rozwojowych, przygotowawczych i samego wydobycia węgla. Do analizy wpływu czynników ryzyka na jednostkowe koszty operacyjne wykorzystano historyczne wyniki badań górniczych i dane ekonomiczne z 81 ścian eksploatowanych w latach 2016– –2022. W analizie wzięto pod uwagę łącznie 23 kryteria wpływające na koszty wydobycia. Z tej grupy wyłoniono 10 czynników ryzyka w drodze analizy statystycznej metodą regresji segmentowej, na podstawie których dokonano oceny prognozy poziomu czynników ryzyka dla stref złoża przeznaczonych do eksploatacji do roku 2035. Wzięto pod uwagę czynniki ryzyka, które wynikają z zagrożeń naturalnych, budowy geologicznej złoża (pokład węgla) oraz ograniczeń technicznych. Opracowano wskaźnik czynnika ryzyka (RF), do jego budowy wykorzystano proces Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP ). Wartość współczynnika RF, wyrażająca zagregowaną postać zmienności poszczególnych czynników geologiczno-górniczych, posłużyła do wyznaczenia skorygowanej własnej oceny ryzyka przy szacowaniu efektywności ekonomicznej złoża węgla koksującego dla 8 stref eksploatacyjnych przy zastosowaniu zdyskontowanych metoda przepływu środków pieniężnych. Oszacowana średnia wartość RF dla całego złoża wyniosła 0,29. Najniższy poziom RF odnotowano w strefie W (RF = 0,17), natomiast największa wartość ryzyka występuje w strefie PN (RF = 0,64). Wartości RF posłużyły do obliczenia stopy dyskonta jako skonsolidowanej miary ryzyka własnego przy ocenie projektów inwestycyjnych w górnictwie. Dla strefy W o najniższym ryzyku eksploatacyjnym stopa dyskontowa wynosi 8,34%, natomiast dla strefy PN o najwyższym poziomie ryzyka wynosi 15,02%. Ocena poziomu ryzyka eksploatacyjnego daje możliwość optymalizacji kosztów wydobycia i może być wykorzystana do podejmowania decyzji dotyczących kolejności i czasu eksploatacji poszczególnych stref złoża.

Głównym celem Unii Europejskiej jest osiągnięcie neutralności klimatycznej do 2050 r., co oznacza dążenie do gospodarki o zerowej emisji gazów cieplarnianych netto. Cel ten jest kluczowym elementem Europejskiego Zielonego Ładu i doskonale wpisuje się w zaangażowanie UE w globalne działania na rzecz klimatu, wyrażone w porozumieniu paryskim. Należy podkreślić, że przejście na zrównoważoną energię niesie ze sobą znaczne ryzyko dla gospodarstw domowych doświadczających ubóstwa energetycznego, szczególnie w regionach słabo rozwiniętych i wrażliwych grupach społecznych. Uznanie tego kontekstu jest niezbędne, aby zapobiec dalszej marginalizacji ubogich energetycznie podczas sprawiedliwej transformacji. Skuteczne przeciwdziałanie ubóstwu energetycznemu wymaga połączenia strategii i wspólnych wysiłków na poziomie lokalnym, krajowym i globalnym. Należy skupić się na odnawialnych źródłach energii i zdecentralizowanych rozwiązaniach, takich jak domowe systemy solarne i minisieci, zapewniając środki do elektryfikacji odległych i odizolowanych obszarów bez potrzeby rozbudowanej infrastruktury sieciowej. Teza artykułu zakłada, że transformacja energetyczna może wpłynąć na wzrost ubóstwa energetycznego w regionach pogórniczych. Badania przeprowadzone w artykule koncentrują się na różnych modelach transformacji energetycznej ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem Polski, Grecji i Bułgarii. W celu identyfikacji potencjalnych odbiorców wrażliwych w artykule przeanalizowano dane dotyczące osób zagrożonych ubóstwem lub wykluczeniem społecznym, a także stopę długotrwałego bezrobocia w analizowanych krajach. Badania wskazują, że potencjalni odbiorcy wrażliwi są najczęściej identyfikowani w Bułgarii, gdzie w 2020 roku 32,1% ludności było zagrożonych ubóstwem lub wykluczeniem społecznym, a długotrwała stopa bezrobocia wynosiła 2,3% w tym samym roku. W Grecji w 2020 roku 28,8% ludności było zagrożonych ubóstwem lub wykluczeniem społecznym, a długotrwała stopa bezrobocia wynosiła 10,9%. Sytuacja w Polsce jest stosunkowo lepsza – w 2020 roku 17,3% ludności było zagrożonych ubóstwem lub wykluczeniem społecznym, a długotrwała stopa bezrobocia wynosiła 0,6%.

The article presents the concept and specific activities undertaken by LW “Bogdanka” S.A. to build an IT system that integrates the current dispatching solutions of the mine with IT systems supporting the management of basic underground infrastructure facilities. This concept forms the substantive foundation of a solution that supports the decision-making system for conducting production activities using IT solutions and production monitoring, implemented under the slogan “Intelligent Mine”. The Intelligent Mine, as understood by LW “Bogdanka” S.A., involves a series of innovative technical solutions aimed at increasing mining effectiveness while ensuring the safety of underground workers and minimizing the environmental impact. The article addresses several key issues, including the practical experience of LW “Bogdanka” S.A. in innovative deposit management, scheduling access, preparatory and exploitation works, production resources management, and monitoring of production processes. Additionally, the article explores how these integrated IT systems contribute to improving operational efficiency, enhancing safety protocols, and promoting sustainable mining practices. By providing a comprehensive overview of these initiatives, the article highlights the significant advancements and practical implementations that LW “Bogdanka” S.A. has achieved in its journey toward becoming an Intelligent Mine.

This publication presents the application of the Elios 3 caged drone in underground geodetic measurements at the LW “Bogdanka” coal mine. Traditional surveying methods are increasingly being replaced by modern technologies such as laser scanners and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). LW “Bogdanka” mine has wide experience in the use of drones in surface surveys, which has enabled the implementation of these devices also in underground mine excavations. The Elios 3 aircraft, equipped with a 4K camera, thermal imaging camera, distance sensor and LiDAR technology, provides precise scanning of the environment and creating high-density point clouds. The SLAM stabilization system ensures the accuracy of measurements even in difficult conditions. This article focuses on the practical applications of the Elios 3 drone in the mine, such as inspections of coal storage tanks, assessment of the technical condition of dewatering roadways and measurements in hard-to-reach areas. The use of UAV significantly improves operational efficiency, reduces survey time and minimizes risks to employees. Thanks to LiDAR technology, Elios 3 accurately represents the details of the object being measured, which is crucial for maintaining and improving the mine’s infrastructure. The introduction of a drone for surveying at the LW “Bogdanka” mine brings numerous benefits, including increased workplace safety and advanced measurement capabilities in hard-to-reach and dangerous areas.

In underground coal mines, one of the primary sources of waste rock in the ore is the phenomenon of roof fall. This phenomenon increases the contamination of the ROM (Run of Mine) with waste rock, which in turn increases the operating costs of the mine. Exploitation of thinner and thinner seams, the use of plough technology, the increasing speed of mining – all these factors related to the mining technology used significantly affect the cleanliness of the coal seam exploitation. More accurate identification of the causes of increased spoil contamination by waste rock and forecasting its level at the stage of mining planning can allow the application of appropriate countermeasures, often even before the start of mining. The authors believe that monitoring the amount and sources of waste rock in longwalls and headings can provide a basis for developing a method for forecasting the mining plant’s yield. The article presents methods of modeling roof rock fall, which are the result of the work of the Team of the Division of Mineral Resources Acquisition of the Polish Academy of Sciences and LW “Bogdanka” S.A. In the future the proposed methodology can be used to analyze the course of roof rock fall, calculate the mass of roof rock fall, and calibrate a continuous system for measuring the quality of ROM in mine excavations.

Information on rock mass characteristics, encompassing the overall quality of the rock masses and various geological parameters, is crucial in mining operations. This data guides the selection of mining techniques and the design of roof control methods to minimize the risk of flaking. However, the lithology of roof rocks is often so variable that predicting their behaviour, especially when disturbed by mining activities, is challenging. The study begins with a detailed review of existing literature on roof fall mechanisms and predictive modelling techniques. It was described the dataset used, which includes geological, environmental, and operational parameters collected from various mining sites. This article outlines a methodology for conducting detailed studies of the lithology of coal seam roof rocks in roadways and longwalls as mining progresses. According to the research, forecasting the extent of roof rock fall during the planning stage of mining operations can inform the implementation of appropriate countermeasures to minimize this phenomenon before exploitation begins, thereby significantly reducing ongoing mining costs. Block modelling and stratigraphic (mesh) modelling were employed to predict the volume of rockfall that could contaminate the ore in the analysed mining plot. In the future, this proposed methodology could be used to analyse the progression of roof falls, estimate the mass of falling roof rocks, and calibrate a system for continuous measurement of ore quality in mine workings.

Laser scanning offers timely assessments of mine sites despite challenges posed by operational environments. This article explores advancements in 3D scanning systems, data capture and processing techniques, and their primary applications in underground mining, using JSW SA mines as an example. While laser scanning has matured for tasks such as change detection, clearance measurements, and structure mapping, opportunities for enhancement exist in areas such as lithology identification, surface parameter measurements, and autonomous navigation. Limited infrastructure for data transfer and processing remains a constraint; however, laser scanners are increasingly pivotal in mine automation due to their affordability, accuracy, and mobility. Until recently, laser scanning was considered more of a curiosity than a mainstream measuring method. In Poland, creating maps for land surveying based on point clouds generated by laser scanners remains uncommon. Nevertheless, technological advances over the past decade have made surveyors, designers, architects, and conservators of historical monuments increasingly inclined and capable of utilizing point clouds generated by stationary scanners, which offer evergreater measurement accuracy. This article outlines how laser scanning, as an innovative measurement technique, has been integrated into the mining industry, particularly for shaft monitoring purposes.

With the rising demand for mineral resources, efficient deposit management has become a critical challenge in modern mining. This article underscores the significance of geological modeling in coal deposit management, emphasizing the essential role that digital deposit models play across various mine departments. It outlines the methodology for creating geological models, detailing steps such as data digitization, validation, model construction, calibration, and continuous updates. The article examines three specific deposit modelling software programs (Minex, MineScape, and Carlson) highlighting their unique features and suitability for multi-seam coal deposits. The findings include the development of contour maps, structural and qualitative models, and conducting economic analyses. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of modelling tectonic disturbances and creating qualitative maps for effective deposit exploitation planning. It concludes by emphasizing that the integration of information technology with geological expertise is crucial for precise planning and optimization of mining operations, leading to more efficient and sustainable resource management.

The research examines the challenges and effectiveness of IT tools used in the mining industry for forecasting production parameters, a crucial aspect as mining operations become increasingly complex. Accurate forecasting is essential not only for optimizing efficiency, safety, and profitability but also for managing the high risks associated with the construction and operation of mining plants, which require long-term financial security and flexible production management. The study explores various IT solutions, such as advanced data analytics, machine learning algorithms, and simulation models, employed to predict key production parameters like ore quality, equipment performance, and resource availability. However, significant challenges, such as data quality issues, the integration of diverse data sources, and the need for specialized expertise, pose obstacles to the effective use of these tools. Despite these challenges, the research finds that IT tools can lead to more accurate forecasting, improved decision-making, and enhanced operational planning, provided that technical and organizational hurdles are addressed. The paper also highlights the importance of modern IT tools in mining production scheduling, demonstrating their advantages over older tools like MS Excel. By presenting examples from coal and copper ore deposits, the study shows that these modern tools not only increase the accuracy of production forecasts but also enable the creation of multiple scenarios and the rapid modification of schedules, which are key to maintaining the competitiveness and liquidity of mining companies.

The rapid evolution of glacial areas serves as a key indicator of ongoing climate change, marked by changes conditioned by thermal factors, leading to rapid area degradation, especially amid hydrological variations and the melting of residual ice within moraines. This study compares the area around the retreating Hans Glacier’s head to demonstrate medium-term changes over nine years. By juxtaposing electrical resistivity surveys from 2015 and 2024 with seismic reflection imaging from 2017–2018, changes in geological structures and resistivity characteristics, primarily influenced by hydrological processes and ice content, were analyzed. These results provide valuable insights into Arctic zone evolution, enabling comparisons across seasonal, annual, and multi-year contexts. The fieldwork utilized dipole-dipole geometries for resistivity data collection and seismic reflection imaging to depict geological structures and detect changes in the physical parameters of the rock mass. Results revealed complex post-glacial structures, ice cores, and varying seismic reflectivity effects. Notably, areas with high resistivity emerged as key focus points, especially in the glacier’s terminal moraine. Seismic data corresponded with electrical resistivity findings, highlighting dense, high-resistivity formations as well as low-resistivity sediments’ seismic responses. This study contributes to understanding post-glacial zone behavior, aiding climate change monitoring efforts.

Known mostly in Poland, formulated by prof. Goetel, science—sozology, perfectly corresponds to today’s developing pro-environmental activities. Sozology combines both concerns for the precious values of primaeval nature and the management of man transformed areas. It includes civilisation changes, climate change, and access to natural resources. The article discusses five main research directions: (1) Protection of the natural environment and mineral resources, (2) Rational spatial management, (3) Post-exploitation management of industrial areas, (4) Analysis and prevention of environmental changes and (5) Sozology and Eco-geosystem services. The authors of the article point to the need to integrate specialists from various fields who can jointly solve environmental problems. The world constantly needs new motivations to develop while preserving non-renewable resources (space and minerals). In Poland, science has gained popularity only among a narrow group of scientists who do not try to solve difficult problems on their own that require interdisciplinary action. The frequent dead ends of today’s environmental trends indicate that the word ecological is often not enough. If we use a sozological approach, it will turn out to be much more adequate for our current stage of development. Sozology may be the next direction and philosophy of life on Earth. Its goal is to protect resources so that they can be used for as long as possible.