The Need and Advantages to Intensify Exploratory and Evaluative Works on the Areas of Undeveloped Zinc and Lead Ores’ Deposits of the Silesian and Cracovian Region

Abstract Zinc and lead metal ores are minerals intended for strategically producing raw materials for the Polish economy, as indicated in the key Polish document: State Raw Materials Policy (PSP2050). It was specified among others that an important factor that will influence the development of Polish economy will be the access to key mineral raw materials from domestic resources. Currently Polish Zn-Pb ores mining no longer exists as the last operating mine Olkusz-Pomorzany that belonged to the Mining and Metallurgic Plant “Bolesław” Joint Stock Company due to the depletion of resources finished extraction in 2020. Despite this fact there still are areas of great potential in the scope of these minerals in Poland. It is the Zawiercie region, where there has been no extraction of these ores so far and is believed to have the best perspectives for future development. One should connect with this region the nearest future of functioning of the domestic Zn-Pb ores’ mining. It is in this region that the “Zawiercie 3” ore is situated. The ore was documented in 2014 by a private investor within the framework of the permit to search for and identify Zn-Pb ore deposits and it is currently the largest as to resources Zn-Pb ores’ deposit in Poland. Its resources are currently over 35 million tonnes, which constitutes app. 39% of all the documented balance sheet resources of Zn-Pb ores in Poland. The presented geological works performed by the private investor on the area of the “Zawiercie 3” ore and the results that were achieved thanks to them clearly indicate that well-designed and thoroughly performed exploratory and evaluative works that combine international standards and Polish guidelines can significantly influence the degree of documentation and the increase of resources in undeveloped Zn-Pb ores’ deposits.