The study visit to the investment site brought together Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Minister of State Assets Wojciech Balczun and Secretary of State Eliza Zeidler. The meeting was devoted to the future of copper mining in Poland and the role to be played by domestic companies in the implementation of new projects.
During his visit, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the strategic importance of copper and the development of KGHM. — Copper is becoming a key resource both economically and geopolitically. Each new investment in this sector strengthens the country's energy and economic security, he said, pointing to the growing demand for metal in wind energy and electromobility.
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“Copper is the foundation of transformation”
He also pointed out that the Retków project is implemented based on the principles of local content, i.e. with the broad participation of Polish entities. In his opinion, this will ensure long-term jobs in the region. The Prime Minister also confirmed that the government is working on reducing the copper tax to make it easier for KGHM to finance its extensive investment program.
The Minister of State Assets, Wojciech Balczun, assessed the commencement of the construction of new shafts as a breakthrough decision for the entire economy. — Copper is the foundation of the energy transformation, without it a modern economy will not emerge – he emphasized. In his opinion, it is also an opportunity for local companies that, thanks to cooperation with KGHM, develop their own technologies and competences. Balczun also reminded that changes in the tax on the extraction of certain minerals are intended to support the company in catching up on investment arrears from previous years.
Domestic mining may increase
The President of KGHM, Andrzej Szydło, spoke about the importance of the investment from the perspective of the company's long-term strategy. As he emphasized, KGHM wants to strengthen domestic mining production and become independent from the difficult market of secondary raw materials. In his opinion optimization of the copper tax will allow for an increase in domestic mining, which will be beneficial for both the company and the State Treasury as the owner of the deposit. Szydło noted that Polska Miedź manages to maintain low environmental indicators, thanks to which the company remains competitive on the global market.
Zbigniew Bryja, vice-president of KGHM for investments, reminded that the simultaneous construction of three shafts is a scale that has not been seen for decades. Each of them will require approximately 15 years of work and expenditures of PLN 3 billion. The task is carried out mainly by Polish companies, including PeBeKa and Cuprum, which have many years of experience in implementing mining projects. Drilling of research and observation holes with a depth of approx. 1,370 m has already started near the Retków shaft, which will help determine the geological conditions and select the optimal deepening technology.
KGHM is a global leader
PeBeKa representatives emphasized that a specialized method of freezing the rock mass will be used, developed with the conditions of the Copper Belt in mind. The acquired data will enable the design of the shaft lining and the selection of technology for the next stages of work. According to the adopted assumptions, most of the funds spent on investments will go to Polish enterprises, which is intended to directly support the development of the domestic mining services market.
The Retków shaft, located in the Grębocice commune, will function as a material, transport and intake shaft for the Rudna mine. Currently, KGHM's deepest shaft remains GG-1 (1,348 m), but after completion of construction, Retków will take over this title. Today, the company operates 28 shafts in Poland, and in parallel it is investing in other facilities, including: at the GG-1 shaft.
KGHM remains the largest copper producer in Europe and one of the ten largest in the world. According to the latest World Silver Survey 2025 ranking, it also ranks second globally in silver production.
