Discussions on the use of parts of old mines and attempts to manage them for non-mining purposes have continued for many years. A possibility of injecting waste in such spaces as well as different application of old mining facilities has an economic aspect calling for intensification of tests and studies. Environmental benefits resulting from this are obvious. The author draw attention to the scientific conference "Non-Mining Application of Mine Facilities" which took place in the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy, in June this year. The Proceedings of this conference will be published in Zeszyty Naukowe (Scientific Papers) of Academy of Mining and Metallurgy.
The author deals with radioactive waste, one of the types of hazardous waste which pose a threat to life, health ot the natural environment, and in particular the tipping of this type of waste in mine workings. This form of waste disposal is regulated by the 1994 mining and geological law, and the 1980 statute on environmental protection and development. After discussing the provisions in detail, the author concludes that Polish legal regulation is complicated and unclear and that the whole of the relevant legislation is inconsistent.
Mining debris management is a serious environmental problem. Its disposal and handling require great financial means. Salt mines offer possibility to store debris in empty caverns created in physical structure of salt deposits, and made in the process of salt mining. The author characterizes types of debris suitable for storage in salt deposits, discusses conditions for safe storage and considers benefits and disadvantages of this form of debris disposal.