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Energy transition, including the transition away from fossil fuels, is a difficult and complex process, particularly in emerging and developing economies. One of the key factors determining its effectiveness is the acceptance of its course and consequences by local communities. Taking into account these circumstances, as well as the ongoing period of profound energy sector transformation in Poland, the main objective of this article is to diagnose the perception of energy transition and assess the preparedness of local authorities for its consequences from the perspective of a representative sample of 1863 residents from 19 cities with county rights located in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The research was conducted in the second quarter of 2025. In analyzing the survey results, descriptive statistics, identification of interdependencies, and non-parametric statistical tests (Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and Wilcoxon) were employed. The obtained results indicate relative acceptance of decarbonization; however, there is significantly lower support for closing hard-coal mines. Respondents rate the preparedness of local authorities for the consequences of hard-coal mining liquidation in the region as low. Moreover, they believe that the local labor market is better prepared for restructuring changes than the local governments of Silesian cities. The respondents’ answers differ primarily according to gender and education, although the identified relationships are neither obvious nor linear. Furthermore, the age of respondents only influences the perception of the necessity of closing hard-coal mines and the assessment of city authorities’ preparedness for the consequences of this process. The results of the conducted research contribute to the analysis of socio-economic processes accompanying energy transition and may be useful in conducting social consultations and communication and information activities, as well as in developing regional restructuring strategies.

Changing political and market conditions have disrupted energy security. European economies are planning to utilize their own resources of energy raw materials, including consideration of the advisability of returning abandoned coal resources to use. The research using the proposed methodology examined the impact of the ongoing mine closure processes on the potential ability to develop the remaining deposit. It was found that the greatest influence on the availability of unclosed shafts was the active concession to extract minerals from the deposit and the availability of unclosed main plant facilities. The assessment of the possibilities of coal resources management in the deposits of liquidated mines has not been the subject of extensive scientific research so far. The information obtained can be used as a reference point for detailed analysis and multi-criteria evaluation, after which the decision maker makes the decision. The method is designed for liquidated mines, but with certain modifications it can also be used by mining companies.

Closing coal mines in Poland is an important part of the energy transition aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting climate commitments. These decisions are particularly important in mining regions such as Silesia, where the mining industry is the main pillar of the economy. Given the gradual closure of mines and the reduction of employment in the mining sector, there is a need to analyse the migration of workers and their potential adaptation to the labour market. This paper aims to examine the impact of mine closures on the employment structure of the national economy using the input-output method. The analysis includes a decomposition of input-output tables (TPMD), in which branches such as thermal coal, coking coal, and lignite were distinguished. This has made it possible to precisely track economic flows between subsectors of the economy and identify which sectors are most vulnerable to the negative effects of reduced coal mining in Poland. The analysis also shows how a change in coal mining may affect related sectors such as energy, transport, and steel, increasing the need for structural adjustments. In particular, the article focuses on possible scenarios for the migration of workers from the closing mines and their re-deployment. Various coal reduction (WR) variants are considered, including WR25%, WR50%, WR75%, and WR100%, reflecting scenarios of declining domestic production. The paper also considers the possible substitution of domestic coal with imported raw materials (WS). The article concludes by identifying the most important conclusions.