Residents of the Wilczyn region of Poland claim lignite ( brown coal ) According to the Commission, mining at Tomisławice has had an adverse impact on the area with farmers reporting crops affected. mining operations are depleting the local lake system , drying out farmland , and reducing revenues from agriculture and tourism . Although known as one of Poland 's driest areas , residents , environmental NGOs , and scientists insist three water - intensive lignite mines are the reason Lake Wilczyńskie 's water levels have fallen five metres in as many years and continue to lose 4 centimetres per week . Water has reportedly been diverted for the open - pit mines and dumped in the river system , rather than cleaned and returned to the lake , which would cost more . The mines are operated by KWB Konin , an arm of ZE PAK , the second largest lignite energy producer in Poland , which admits to using ground water but denies responsibility for any environmental damage .
Residents of the Wilczyn region of Poland claim lignite ( brown coal ) mining operations are depleting the local lake system , drying out farmland , and reducing revenues from agriculture and tourism . Although known as one of Poland 's driest areas , residents , environmental NGOs , and scientists insist three water - intensive lignite mines are the reason Lake Wilczyńskie 's water levels have fallen five metres in as many years and continue to lose 4 centimetres per week . Water has reportedly been diverted for the open - pit mines and dumped in the river system , rather than cleaned and returned to the lake , which would cost more . The mines are operated by KWB Konin , an arm of ZE PAK , the second largest lignite energy producer in Poland , which admits to using ground water but denies responsibility for any environmental damage .