Letter from the President of JSW SA Daniel Ozon

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to announce that for the second time Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa has been hosting a particularly prestigious conference - the International Mining Forum. This year’s edition, to which I would like to invite you cordially, will take place on 11 and 12 April 2019 at the International Congress Centre in Katowice.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

I am convinced that this year’s IMF 2019 will once again become a valuable platform for exchanging scientific ideas and practical and technological solutions. I am sure that a meeting in such a wide international group of scientists, management staff of mining companies and entrepreneurs will make an excellent opportunity to discuss the development of the mining industry and increase the extraction efficiency based on industry 4.0. The fourth industrial revolution is happening before our eyes so dynamically as never before. We are on the verge of many challenges, such as intelligent ICT systems, or automation and robotization in the underground mining of deposits. A particularly important subject not only for me, but for the entire crew is constant, consistent improvement of work safety and exploitation of deposits in circumstances of natural hazards.

Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa is the largest producer of coking coal in the European Union and one of the leading producers of coke used in steel production. It's hard to imagine a world without steel. However, many people try to see it without coking coal, completely unconsciously disavowing this key raw material for the economy. Among other things, thanks to your support - global authorities, coking coal has been classified by the European Commission as strategic raw materials from the point of view of the Community's economic interests. Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa is undertaking many actions to meet the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution, especially in the use of coal derivatives. We are successfully implementing projects that were defined during IMF 2017. Particularly advanced works concern independent anchoring casing and automatic longwall system. We have started projects concerning production of carbon adsorbents and carbon nanotubes using by-products generated during production of coking coal and coke. We are working on the implementation of a unique, not only nationwide, project for hydrogen separation plant, which will be built at the Koksownia Przyjaźń in Dąbrowa Górnicza. Purified hydrogen can be used in fuel cells for producing electricity, heat and cold, yet also for powering electrical devices and emergency power stations.

JSW cares for the natural environment, with the highest respect towards the acquired land resources. Providing the EU with the necessary raw material for the steel industry, it consistently introduces innovative technologies becoming a leader in environmental solutions in the mining industry. I am aware that the projects we are implementing are being created thanks to the cooperation of Polish specialists with our foreign partners.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

International Mining Forum is to be a continuation of such cooperation. I am glad that as soon as in April we will be able to exchange our experiences and new ideas. Let’s follow the path of innovation. I am cordially inviting you and looking forward to your presence.