GEOTOUR & IRSE 2012.pdf - Fakulta BERG - TUKE

Salgótarján, 04. – 06. 2012
of their usable functions, re-establish traditions connected with mining. Finding or sometimes
establishing a legend connected with a given relict of mining works, not only attracts tourists
but also encourages the local community to adopt new habits and customs as their own, which
builds identification of the local community with its region. The fact may be in particular of a
key importance for the region of Lower Silesia, which due to a complicated history connected
with occupation of the region by various nations, has experienced disturbances in continuity
of traditions and local identity. Going back to the example of Mirsk Commune, a number of
cognitive and educational benefits, which stimulate local development, may be pointed out.
Owing to a new tourist route, visitors will be encouraged and given opportunity to explore
natural landscapes shaped by mining activity and in addition evidence of economic growth of
the Lower Silesia (including remains of old times mining works) will be provided protection.
Geotourist development of facilities of ground and underground mining relics creates one of
the kind opportunity to protect them and pass to future generations. Revitalization undertaken
for purpose of tourism in the areas of underground excavations located in Mirsk Commune,
will consist in suitable preparation of the route taking into account environmental and mining
aspects, and will guarantee full and complete safety for visitors of the underground facilities.
Educational value of the remains of old times mining works is particularly important to
realize significance and role of mine exploration for civilization progress of societies. Relics
of old time mining works provide a valuable source of knowledge concerning past technology
and methods of exploration and processing of pure metal ores.
CONCLUSION
Investing in the past, understood as development and revitalization of late mining facilities,
increase prospective of the local market and build identification with the region and contribute
to positive changes in the natural environment According to the authors, it is worth coming
to like the so called “unwanted heritage”. Decisions concerning the future of the old time
mining works remains lie particularly within competence of the local authorities. It is also
worth trying to raise public funding or find investors, who will see opportunities presented by
geotourism. Traditions may be preserved either owing to individual engagement, meaning
determination, pertinacity and commitment of supporters of the idea or by stimuli coming
from political or economic forces, which determine what parts and forms of traditions are
worth “investing”, in order to achieve desired profits.
Presently the interest in mining heritage protection in Lower Silesian province grows, which
manifests itself in engagement of local governments and companies as well. The fact can be
exemplified by the KGHM Cuprum Sp. z o. o. Research and Development Centre which is
currently carrying out a number of projects concerning complex assessment methods of the
technical situation of chamber excavations in old mines.
REFERENCES
Conseil de l‟ Europe, European Convention on the Protection of the Archaelogical Heritage”.
M. MADZIARZ, H. SZTUK,:Studies of old time mining facilities within the area of Lower
Silesia, Materials of the 1 st Convention on Heritage and history of mining and
possibilities of using remains of old time mining works, Scientific research of the Mining
Institute of the University of Technology in Wrocław No. 111, Series name: Conventions,
No. 43, Wrocław 2005
E. NIEROBA: Tradition deprived of roots. Regional identity and identification of Opole
Province communities with their region in the age of globalization, from:
http://www.interreg.uni.opole.pl/biblioteka/docs/e_nieroba.pdf
Project`s feasibility analysis: “Restoration of areas degraded by mining activity within Mirsk
Commune and construction of a tourist route – Tracing evidence of old times ore
mining”, Wrocław 2009
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