A layperson might say: a pile of rocks. But appearances can be deceiving. The Heřmanice slag heap is a showcase of various types of rocks and minerals extracted from underground. It is also thermally active and therefore contains minerals that formed only after the tailings were deposited.

How did such a large amount of rock end up here, and why is the slag heap smoldering? How have coal processing methods and waste rock disposal practices changed over the long history of coal mining in the Ostrava section of the Ostrava-Karviná mining district?

You’ll hear and see all this and much more during a guided walk through the Heřmanice slag heap. You’ll be guided by Petr Kubinský, a historian of mining in the Ostrava-Karviná region, and geologist Kateřina Polínková. 

Meet at the Důl Heřmanice trolleybus stop. We recommend sturdy shoes, a hat, and bringing your own drinks.