Phyllite, quartzitic and micaceous schists
Metamorphic phyllite, quartzitic and micaceous schists are used in the building construction as the major component of a fine gravel cover of roll tar paper (phyllite and micaceous schists), in an agriculture as inert dust carrier of pesticides, and in the manufacture of fire-proof materials as one of the major components of a fire-proof cement (crystalline schists).
Three deposits of phyllite schists from Opolskie Voivodeship are the only deposits of that raw material hitherto documented in Poland: Chomiąża, Dewon-Pokrzywna and Dewon-Pokrzywna 2. Anticipated economic resources of phyllite schists in Poland were estimated in 2017 at 16,556.38 thousand tonnes. Similarly to the previous years, the production was carried out only from Dewon-Pokrzywna deposit and amounted to 162.01 thousand tonnes. It decreased by 22.08 thousand tonnes (11.99%) in comparison with 2016. The anticipated economic resources of this deposit decreased by 195.26 thousand tonnes (1.38%) due to the exploitation and losses and amounted to 13,983.34 thousand tonnes. Two other deposits are not being exploited.
Figure below shows changes in domestic resources and production of phyllite schists in Poland in the years 1989-2017.
Quartzitic schists occur only within the Strzelin granite massif at Jegłowa in the Lower Silesian region (Dolnośląskie Voivodeship). Jegłowa deposit is still the only documented and temporarily exploited deposit of that raw material in Poland and therefore should be particularly protected. Its anticipated resources (beyond protective pillars) were estimated in 2017 at 8,697.03 thousand tonnes and economic resources at 2,765.76 thousand tonnes. The resources have not changed in comparison with 2016 as there was not exploitation from this deposit.
Figure below shows changes in domestic resources and production of quartzitic schists in Poland in the years 1989-2017.
Micaceous schists occur in two deposits located in Dolnośląskie Voivodeship: Jawornica deposit in Kłodzko County and Orłowice deposit in Lubań and Lwówek Śląski Counties. Total anticipated economic resources of the mineral raw material as of 31.12.2017 are estimated at 6,651.39 thousand tonnes and economic resources at 4,389.64 thousand tonnes. The resources from Orłowice deposit account for 85.61% of anticipated economic resources and 88.23% of economic resources. The exploitation is being carried out from both of these deposits. In 2017, the production from Jawornica deposit increased by 0.10 thousand tonnes (10.31%) in comparison with 2016 and amounted to 1.07 thousand tonnes. The output from Orłowice deposit was by 2.44 thousand tonnes (47.29%) lower than in 2016 and equal 2.72 thousand tonnes. There was a new concession for the exploitation of the raw material from Orłowice deposit issued in 2017.
Figure below shows changes in domestic resources and production of micaceous schists in Poland in the years 1989-2017.
Prepared by: Marcin Tymiński
Table 1. List of schists deposits – thousand tonnes