The Bolesław Śmiały coal mine, located in Łaziska Górne in southern Poland, is among the country’s oldest continuously operating mining sites. Its origins date back to 1779, when the Szczęście Henryka mine was established; over time, nearby older pits were consolidated, and after World War II the complex was renamed Bolesław Śmiały.

Today, the mine operates as part of Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG), the largest hard coal producer in Europe. It extracts thermal coal from underground seams and supplies nearby power plants, playing a role in regional energy security. The operation employs a substantial workforce and continues to modernize extraction and safety systems.

Despite its long industrial heritage and ongoing production, the mine faces a defined transition horizon. Under Poland’s national energy strategy and agreements with the mining sector, Bolesław Śmiały is scheduled for closure in the late 2020s, reflecting the broader shift away from coal in favor of cleaner energy sources.