Polish coal mines have highest extraction costs worldwide. 74,900 workers mine 34 million tons yearly. UK mined 37 million tons in 1999 with 10,000 workers. Polish cost hits 824 PLN per ton. US cost is 160 PLN per ton, five times cheaper. Polish mines lost 2.5 billion PLN in first half of 2024. Coal sells ex-mine at 479 PLN per ton. Imported ARA coal costs 452-476 PLN per ton and profits sellers. Polish mines lose 300 PLN per ton even at peak prices. State pumps 7 billion PLN into coal this year. Next year subsidies rise to 9 billion PLN. Total aid since 1990 nears 300 billion PLN. Another 150 billion PLN pledged to 2049. ETS emission costs hit 42 billion PLN in 2023. Only 25 billion PLN returns to state budget. Poland has EU's highest power sector emission intensity. Coal burning adds uncounted health costs. Capacity market costs 5 billion PLN in 2024. Billions wasted yearly instead of better uses.