TY - JOUR N2 - There are approx. 250 coal waste dumping grounds in Poland, yet there are countries in which this number is even higher. One of the largest sites for depositing mining and power plant waste in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin is the Przezchlebie dumping ground. In the article, it is considered as a secondary deposit of raw materials. An assessment of mining waste collected on the Przezchlebie dumping ground was carried out in terms of its impact on the environment and the possibility of its use. Mining waste samples were tested to determine their chemical composition. Physicochemical properties and chemical compositions of water extracts obtained from the investigated waste and groundwater in the vicinity of the dumping ground were analyzed. Due to the fire hazard resulting from the natural oxidation process of chiefly carbonaceous matter and pyrite, the thermal condition of the dumping ground was assessed. The results of the obtained tests confirmed the slight impact of mining waste deposited on the Przezchlebie dumping ground on the environment. The chemical composition, low radioactive activity of waste itself and the results of water extract tests referred to the permissible values according to the Polish Journal of Laws allow for multi-directional waste management. Due to the significant carbon content, the risk of self-ignition poses a significant threat on the dumping ground. Re-mining of the dumping ground and the recovery of raw materials, including coal contained in waste, will eliminate the risk of fire, allowing for a wider use of waste and, at the same time, will allow for other benefits, e.g. in the form of financial resources and the possibility of managing the dumping ground area. L1 - http://www.journals.pan.pl/Content/112120/PDF/r%C3%B3%C5%BCa%C5%84ski.pdf L2 - http://www.journals.pan.pl/Content/112120 PY - 2019 IS - No 3 EP - 142 DO - 10.24425/gsm.2019.128525 KW - anthropogenic deposit KW - recovery of raw materials KW - fire hazard KW - coal waste dumping ground A1 - Różański, Zenon PB - Komitet Zrównoważonej Gospodarki Surowcami Mineralnymi PAN PB - Instytut Gospodarki Surowcami Mineralnymi i Energią PAN VL - vol. 35 DA - 2019.09.30 T1 - Management of mining waste and the areas of its storage - environmental aspects SP - 119 UR - http://www.journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/112120 T2 - Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi - Mineral Resources Management ER -