The impact of industrial plants “Machów” Sulphur Mines and “Siarkopol” Chemical Plants on the environment.

Table of contents - Location of the city - Tarnobrzeg Sights - “Machów” Sulphur Mine - “Siarkopol” Chemical Plants - Chemical products - Summary

MAPY!

Location of Tarnobrzeg The city is located in the south-east of Poland, in the Sandomierz Valley, on the right bank of the Vistula. The city was founded in 1593 by the Tarnowski family.

Tarnobrzeg area occupies 86 km2 Tarnobrzeg area occupies 86 km2. It has approximately 50, 000 inhabitants.

Today the city has county rights in the Podkarpackie Voivodship.

The city developed after the Second World War as a centre of sulphur mining. Until recently, it was also a major centre for processing of sulphur in Poland and the largest producer of sulphuric acid. It was called “the capital of Polish sulphur industry”.  

Tarnobrzeg Sights NEXT The Tarnowski Family Castle Museum Monument to Bartosz Głowacki The Dominican Church and Monastery The Church in Miechocin NEXT

The Tarnowski Family Castle was built in the fourtenth century and rebuilt several times. PREVIOUS

The Dominican Church and Monastery were founded by the Tarnowski family in 1676 to keep the miraculous painting of the Holy Virgin. PREVIOUS

Monument to Bartosz Głowacki – unveiled on 9th September, 1904. PREVIOUS

St. Mary Magdalene Church in Tarnobrzeg-Miechocin built in 1340 St. Mary Magdalene Church in Tarnobrzeg-Miechocin built in 1340. There is a Gothic door to the sacristy and a baptistery from 1484. PREVIOUS

History Museum – founded in 1991 History Museum – founded in 1991. Located in the building of the former granary. It collects documents, memorabilia and works of art connected with the traditions of the city and its surroundings. PREVIOUS

“Machów” Sulphur Mine

The exploitation of native sulphur deposits by opencast method began in 1970.

The extraction of ore in the mining pit constituted the base of the production of sulphur using the flotation and rafination methods.  

The exploitation of sulphur ore and its processing had a damaging impact on the environment.  

By the end of 1992, the extraction of sulphur in Machów open pit was finished and the mine was closed down.  

The excavation was flooded to form an artificial lake.

Ms Ewa Świca, representing the Mine “Machów”, is explaing the stages of forming the lake in the excavation.

A group of students on the observation deck of the former Mine “Machów”.

While gathering materials in the Mine “Machów”.

“Siarkopol” Chemical Plants

In “Siarkopol” Chemical Plants.

The products of “Siarkopol” Chemical Plants Sulphur- used for: - fabrication of black powder and fireworks, - production of remedy for parasites of plants, - production of medecine, pesticides, matches and paper, - rubber vulcanization.

Mineral fertilizers – used as a means of enriching the soil with the necessary nutrient to improve the growth of plants. The following fertilizers are produced: - for agriculture, - for horticulture, - ecological.

Sulphuric acid- mostly used to produce other acids, dyes, fertilizers, artificial fibres and explosives.

Bleaching earth – used in refining of edible oil and animal fat as well as for decolorisation of petroleum oils. Fluorine gas – used for production of monomers, fluorine alkenes from which Teflon and its derivatives are made. Fluoride hydrogene – used for the etching of glass. Accumulator acid - used as electrolyte to fill leaded accumulators.

Zosia is thanking Mr Andrzej Chrząstek, an engineer working for “Siarkopol” Chemical Plants.

Sulphur mine and chemical plant Annual extraction/production in the highest business activity time and now.

Sulphur mine and chemical plant tys. The area and employment in the highest business activity and now.

Sulphur mine and chemical plant Water use and refuse water amount in the highest business activity and now.

Summary there were lots of work places in our region, The Sulphur Mine “Machów” and Chemical Plants“Siarkopol” had an important role for our society. They have influenced our town`s development and the life of inhabitants: there were lots of work places in our region, thanks to them our town could develop, they founded a lot of cultural, sports and educational centres, they contributed greatly to the construction of such buildings as: our school-Gimnazjum number 2, “Siarkowiec” estate, St. Barbara Church, sports facilities in Tarnobrzeg, the castle in Baranów Sandomierski was rebuilt and renovated thanks to them.

Castle in Baranów Sandomierski

The work connected with the closure of the Sulphur Mine “Machów” followed by the reclamation of post-extraction areas:   - is leading to the revitalisation of devastated areas, - has already brought about a considerable improvement in natural environment, - has helped the damaged fauna and flora to grow again, - has created new leisure grounds for the inhabitants, - enbles the development of tourism.

The nearby area is getting more and more popular among the tourists. Lovers of water sports.

Windsurfing on the lake.

The former mining pit was flooded to make an artificial lake for recreation.

We are grateful for help, support and kindness in realisation of our project given from workers of “Machów” Sulphur Mine and “Siarkopol” Chemical Plants in Tarnobrzeg.

Zofia Łukasiewicz Szymon Halat Anna Tomczyk Radosław Kokoszka Anna Franecka Kacper Antoniewicz Anna Mysiak Paweł Strużyk Marta Kalisz Małgorzata Staniszewska Maciej Tyniec Agata Jaromek This presentation has been prepared by students from classes IIIB and IIB with the help of their Geography teacher, Ms Urszula Staniszewska. Urszula Staniszewska