<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Selecting locations for lignite mining and power generation complexes has been the subject of intense controversy. As a result, there have been many conflicts in society due to environmental and economic concerns. This paper poses the question of how lignite surface mining affects local communities. These effects may be both negative and positive and some of them are intangible. It is very difficult to balance the pros and cons objectively as it depends on the assumed objectives and criteria of the analysis. Different social and economic structures in different communities, and various additional factors, are just some of the reasons why this balance may significantly differ around a country. The authors hold opposing views on the role of lignite in the energy mix and the balance of negative and positive effects that surface mining exerts on local communities. They agree, however, that the most important elements of the societal debate on lignite mining have not yet been adequately studied or presented in public discourse. The authors propose to introduce the procedure of Social Impact Assessment to the Polish legal system. This could be effective as a means to prevent many conflicts in the energy sector and be the best way to reach a compromise.</p></abstract>

Selecting locations for lignite mining and power generation complexes has been the subject of intense controversy. As a result, there have been many conflicts in society due to environmental and economic concerns. This paper poses the question of how lignite surface mining affects local communities. These effects may be both negative and positive and some of them are intangible. It is very difficult to balance the pros and cons objectively as it depends on the assumed objectives and criteria of the analysis. Different social and economic structures in different communities, and various additional factors, are just some of the reasons why this balance may significantly differ around a country. The authors hold opposing views on the role of lignite in the energy mix and the balance of negative and positive effects that surface mining exerts on local communities. They agree, however, that the most important elements of the societal debate on lignite mining have not yet been adequately studied or presented in public discourse. The authors propose to introduce the procedure of Social Impact Assessment to the Polish legal system. This could be effective as a means to prevent many conflicts in the energy sector and be the best way to reach a compromise.

Effects of lignite surface mining on local communities: controversies and areas of negotiation

Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences

Environmental & Socio-economic Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Selecting locations for lignite mining and power generation complexes has been the subject of intense controversy. As a result, there have been many conflicts...

Effects of lignite surface mining on local communities: controversies and areas of negotiation

Published Online: Sep 23, 2017

Page range: 31 - 39

Received: Feb 17, 2017

Accepted: Jul 17, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/environ-2017-0014

Keywords
brown coal, social impact assessment, local community, pit mine

© 2017 Jarosław Badera et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effects of lignite surface mining on local communities: controversies and areas of negotiation

Published Online: Sep 23, 2017

Page range: 31 - 39

Received: Feb 17, 2017

Accepted: Jul 17, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/environ-2017-0014

Keywordsbrown coal, social impact assessment, local community, pit mine

© 2017 Jarosław Badera et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
brown coal, social impact assessment, local community, pit mine