Monitoring after the conclusion of mining works

Abstract

After mining works are completed and the mine is permanently closed, the holder of the mining rights must carry out monitoring in accordance with the applicable legislation and for the purpose of controlling the extraction area. This includes monitoring of the changes that have occurred during the process of mining, both on the surface and below it. This article presents an example of a monitoring program after the mining works are completed. The extraction of raw mineral material in an underground mine results in various impacts on the surface and underground space. The areas or segments of monitoring are divided into two parts in this article: The underground part includes monitoring of the geomechanical, climatic, and hydrogeological changes, while monitoring on the surface requires special attention to be paid to the stability conditions of the surface above old mine works and hydrogeological conditions in the area above the extraction or impact area. A practical example of the monitoring program that needs to be made when a mine closes is given in the article. The program covers areas, presents the ways and methods of measurement, as well as reporting of the measurements. The analysis procedure of already existing measurements, which need to be analyzed and included in the preparation of the monitoring program, is also presented.