PolandS Hidden Treasure: Massive Amber Deposits Discovered Near Lublin
Poland is now home to significant amber resources,with the largest deposits found not along the Baltic coast,but surprisingly,in the Lublin region. The discovery was a blessed accident; exploration initially focused on locating natural gas reserves. the richest amber concentrations lie north of Lublin, specifically in the areas of Lubartów and Niedźwiada.
While initial reports of amber in the region surfaced as early as the 1930s, it wasn’t until 2012 that the scale of the deposits became clear. This amber dates back approximately 45 million years to the Eocene epoch,a time when a shallow sea covered much of what is now Europe.
The amber’s formation was a lengthy process. It originated as resin secreted by trees growing along the coastline of the ancient North Pramorz region. This sticky substance flowed into the sea, undergoing slow chemical transformations over millions of years to become the amber we certainly know today. Currently, these deposits are relatively accessible, lying at a depth of just 15-20 meters, simplifying extraction efforts.
Commercial mining began in 2022, following the issuance of the first extraction concession in 2018. The amber is utilized in diverse ways: larger pieces are destined for jewelers, while smaller fragments find application in the production of tinctures and cosmetics.
As of the end of 2020, the National Geological Institute reported a total of nearly 3,581 tons of amber stockpiled in Poland, with a substantial portion originating from the Lublin region. Experts estimate the total amber resources within Poland could reach an notable 22,000 tons,solidifying the country’s position as a significant amber producer.
