Mining problems of underground coal gasification – reflections based on experience gained in experiment conducted in KHW S.A. Wieczorek coal mine

Basing on hitherto research and tests, including results of experimental underground coal gasification (UCG) conducted in Wieczorek coal mine, conditions a UCG process has to meet to become in the future an industrial scale technology applied to exploit deposits are analysed. Paper contains an analysis of broadly defined range of mining conditions (geological – mining conditions of a deposit selected for exploitation with the UCG process; type and properties of coal deposit; detailed technological and organizational solutions; conditions for the safe use of technology for the personnel and the environment) and also characterizes the conditions for economic viability of UCG technology as an coal exploitation method.