Poland’s JSW Adjusts Annual Production Plan After Mine Fire

Introduction: JSW’s Adjusted Production Plan

Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW), Europe’s largest coking coal producer, announced a revision to its annual production plan following a fire at its Borynia-Zofiówka mine. The fire, which broke out on September 12, 2025, in the Zofiówka section of the mine, is expected to result in a loss of 156,000 tons of coking coal for 2025. The company declared force majeure, signaling the significant impact of this incident on its operations and production targets.

JSW’s Response to the Fire and Force Majeure Declaration

The fire occurred in the C-2 longwall of seam 505/1, where endogenous combustion forced the temporary isolation of the affected area. This caused the suspension of operations in the section. On September 18, 2025, JSW declared force majeure and informed its partners about the potential delays in fulfilling contractual obligations.

While the immediate consequences are clear, the full impact on JSW’s long-term production capabilities remains uncertain. The company committed to keeping the market updated with any new developments.

Impact on the European Steel Industry

JSW is a critical supplier of coking coal to Poland and the wider European Union’s metallurgical industry. This fire threatens not only JSW’s annual production targets but also the stability of steel production across the region. Frequent incidents at the company’s mines have raised concerns about the long-term reliability of coal supply to the European steel sector. Coking coal is vital for steel production, and disruptions could lead to shortages, price hikes, and production delays.

In August 2025, JSW secured an extension of its mining license for the Borynia deposit, valid until 2042. This ensures long-term production stability for the region. However, recurrent disruptions like this fire could undermine stakeholders’ confidence in JSW’s ability to meet long-term contract commitments.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

JSW’s incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by coking coal producers and the broader steel supply chain. As the European market increasingly relies on stable coal supply, any disruption—whether from mining accidents or geopolitical factors—can ripple through the steel production process. Stakeholders must balance securing raw material supplies with addressing operational risks to ensure production continuity.

This fire serves as a reminder of the unpredictability within the commodities market. With JSW being one of Europe’s largest coking coal suppliers, further disruptions could intensify supply chain challenges in the steel industry, potentially raising steel prices and limiting overall production capacity.