Predicted metallic resources in Poland presented on the prospective maps at scale 1 : 200 000 – copper, silver, gold, platinum and palladium in the Kupferschiefer ore series

Themost significant copper reserves in Poland are confined to sediment-hosted stratiform Kupferschiefer-type deposits that occur at the Zechstein/Rotliegend transition. Gradual depletion of shallow reserves in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline results in exploration of deeper beds, and the long-term challenges require new solutions for mining industry of the future and industrial market within the EU, to enable the reindustrialization of Europe. Latest studies of numerous drillhole cores strongly indicate that the Kupferschiefer series in SW Poland (outside the Lubin–Sieroszowice Copper District) contains a very large volume of prognostic, prospective and hypothetical resources. Thirty Cu-Ag prospects have been delineated (including six areas with prognostic resources, six with prospective resources, and 18 areas with hypothetical resources). Among the prospective areas, particular attention is paid to the areas with prognostic resources (Bia³o³êka, Grochowice, Krêpa, Kulów, Luboszyce), adjacent to the existing mines of the Lubin–Sieroszowice copper district. The areas of Nowiny, Mirków, Raciborowice and ¯arków are also interesting due to accessible depths, and the Bogdaj, Henrykowice, Janowo and Sulmierzyce areas due to considerable resources and reasonable depth. Extremely interesting is the possibility of extension of the Bytom Odrzañski deposit towards the Jany, Mozów and Wilcze prospective areas. Studies of archival drillhole cores taken outside the documented Cu-Ag Lubin–Sieroszowice deposit revealed Rote-Fäule-related Au-Pt-Pd mineralization in many localities of SW Poland. Fifteen Au prospective areas, accompanied by Pt-Pd mineralization, have been delineated. However, due to relatively low thickness and content, Au-Pt-Pd mineralization can be considered only as associated with the overlying Cu-Ag ores. It can be estimated that approximately 166 million Mg Cu and 269 thousand Mg Ag concentrated as predicted resources in prospects of SW Poland for future mining, which will be possible, when geological and technological barriers (depth, temperature, oil and gas) will meet economic trends in the world market