The article discusses some issues of coal mine waste management in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Due to environmental and economic conditions, the amount of waste generated at present has decreased, while the amount of recovered or recycled waste has increased. The main uses of reclaimed waste are backfilling of mine workings, leveling works and other construction works. Old coal dumps are also reclaimed and developed for recreational functions or used as alternative sources of natural fill material. Land reclaimed as a result of spoil heaps is finding new uses because the Upper Silesia Coal Basin lacks attractive centrally located sites.
