Present and future status of the underground space use in Poland

The exploitation of solid and liquid mineral deposits is a basic way to use rock mass in Poland. The degree of utilization of shallow rock mass areas-for any purpose other than exploitation of minerals-is low. Deeper areas are used to store natural gas, oil, and fuel; another option is underground waste storage. The use of rock mass in Poland in the future will be associated with the exploitation of minerals (including thermal waters), waste disposal, and storage of fuels and natural gas in the pore space of aquifers, hydrocarbon reservoirs, and salt deposits. Poland is characterized by complex geological structure, composed of three main geological units: the East European Craton, Western European Variscan Belt, and the Alpine-Carpathian chain. The aforementioned structures differ in geological structure, which affects the possibilities of underground space use. Most of the Polish Lowlands is prospective for the presence of thermal waters and raw mineral deposits. This area offers the best prospects for the development of waste disposal and storage of substances in the pore space, which can interfere with the other ways of underground space use. In order to properly exploit the potential of the rock mass and to avoid conflicts of interest, the appropriate land use has been suggested. Recommendations for future legislation in this area have been determined. They should-in case of a conflict of interest, associated with a number of ways of utilization (exploitation of mineral resources, thermal waters, underground storage, etc.)-determine which activities should be a priority.