Emitted noise is a by-product of operations carried out by the lignite mines and the Distribution System Operators belonging to the PGE Capital Group.

The emission of noise by the lignite mines belonging to the PGE Capital Group results mainly from the operation of basic machines: excavators, stackers, conveyor belts and their drives. As the lignite mines operate on a continuous basis, such machines and auxiliary equipment as bulldozers, calfdozers, crawlers, travelling cranes and graders may become occasionally a local source of noise emission on a limited scale.

The intensity of noise emission depends mostly on the type and number of machines used in the mining operations as well as their location with respect to the buildings situated in the proximity of the opencast. The range and intensity of noise are determined first of all by technological systems located at the highest levels of the excavation and spoil heap. They are also influenced by the terrain and development of the adjacent areas as well as weather conditions. Our lignite mines measure noise emission on a regular basis, separately for each field (every other year); all noise emission levels are within the permissible limits.

At PGE, we limit noise emission by utilizing various methods, e.g. using an excavated slope as a screen, turning the slopes of a spoil heap into screens, developing "green belts" with plants functioning as a sound-absorbing medium, as well as covering machines with sound insulation shields. The Distribution System Operators build acoustic screens limiting the emission of noise resulting from their operations.