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The use of geotextile tubes as a dyke core in applications such as reclamation, breakwater, and shore revetment, has been a common practice in many projects historically throughout the world. Replacing a rock core with geotextile tubes can be beneficial in a number of facets. The carbon footprint when constructing a dyke with geotextile tubes as a core, can be lower compared with a whole rock dyke due to lower material processing, and rock transport emission, including lesser rock volume utilization, where the rock source itself contributes a vast amount of carbon footprint. Furthermore, dyke construction time can be improved with lesser rock transportation trips, along with locally sourced sand fill for geotextile tube core. The geotextile tube manufacturing rate and delivery duration to site are short. Geotextile tubes are fabricated in a mass production lot, packed in a compacted roll form then loaded into shipping containers before departure. Two relevant case studies are presented in this article. Malaysia Seri Tanjung Pinang reclamation project is constructing a 1.6km length, 4 staking layers of geotextile tube perimeter bund wall covered with secondary and primary rock armour as outer protection layer. The Netherlands Reeuwijkse Plassen breakwater project where geotextile tubes are filled with locally available dredged material as a core and covered with rock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The closure of surface mines is a complex framework characterized by extended reclamations of post-mining sites towards an environmentally friendly and sustainable land-use system development with beneficial returns to society and the economy. The paper demonstrates the critical mine closure problem, draws research questions, and introduces the IDEF0 (Integrated DEFinition Function) process modelling method as a low-cost and easy development tool for use by mining experts to perform strategic planning of sustainable mine reclamation and repurposing projects. A case study for the method applied in a Greek lignite mine is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Research Institute for Brown Coal j. s. c. (VÚHU) has been involved in the research project of the EU Research Fund of Coal and Steel - The impact of extreme weather events on mining operations for four years. The project is focused on assessing the impact of climate change on mining activities in major European coal basins. Other participants are scientific teams from Poland, Great Britain, Spain, Germany and Greece. This is the last year of the project solving, so this paper summarizes the results of the solution for the Czech Republic. The first part of the paper summarizes the knowledge of the historical development of the climate, including significant climatic disasters. Attempts to reconstruct the paleoclimate in the Tertiary based on the evaluation of preserved geological phenomena are also briefly evaluated here. The next part of the paper evaluates the development of temperature and precipitation in the wider area of the Most Basin, including the forecast for the future and the impact of climate change on mining and reclamation. Therefore, the greatest attention is paid to the proposed adaptation strategies. All laboratory analyses carried out as part of this research were carried out by VÚHU testing laboratories accredited by CIA according to CSN EN 150-IEC 17025 on the basis of internal methodological procedures based on relevant standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brown Coal Research Institute j. s. c. is realising the long term research and survey in the field of restoration problems and it is realising the long term research of climate changes in the Czech Republic including impacts to mining operations during research programme of the European Union TEXMIN solving too. The input of expected temperature increasing and precipitation decreasing is favourable for mining operation from point of view of overburden and mining cuts stability, safety of mining and mining costs. The different situation is the field of reclamation works. The input of expected climatic change is very unfavourable in this case. The main reasons are primarily high level of the loss of seedlings during forest reclamation because of hot and dry periods and the necessity of very expensive, radical change of technical and biological reclamation methodology. The first results of this research are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest damages and environment contamination are caused by the mining and mineral processing industries, as well as the power and chemical industries. That is why when we are speaking of damaged terrains reclamation and soils, first of all we understand reclamation from the impact of these anthropogenic activities. Reclamation places many questions from an economic, social, technical and scientific viewpoint. Reclamation is a complex approach to sustainable management of land degraded as a result of natural or anthropogenic activities. Reclamation of mining damaged landscape is a complex activity aimed to the land restoration for future rational and environmentally sound use. Restoration of damaged areas creates more productive anthropogenic landscapes and habitats of different species. Damaged mining terrains reclamation is a current and complex problem, as an individual approach to each specific object is needed. In recent years there has been a trend towards a humus negative balance. As a result, thousands of hectares of degraded land are deprived of conventional restoration processes that require humus use. This fact marks the beginning of a new technological approach to environmental management - “non-humus reclamation”. The aim of this paper is to broadly explore the properties of the anthropogenic soils from Vetovo region, Bulgaria, Kaolin AD. The soils are formed as a result of the accumulation earth material extracted with open pit mining. Scientific and research program has started to establish the opportunities for anthropogenic soils non-humus biological reclamation. The technogenic soil agrophysical properties were studied and determined. The aim of the program was restoring the function of damaged lands and balanced ecological systems creation. Lastly the conclusions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brown Coal Research Institute j. s. c. is realising the long term research and survey in the field of restoration problems. The target of these works changed during development of localities. The main problems of present days are reclamation during frequent hot and dry periods, the extreme alkaline soil reaction of any localities soils, occurrence of phytotoxic and sterile areas and methodology of areas retained to natural succession founding. The article is devoted to the methodology of research and to the description of main case study areas. The methodology is composed of terrain mapping, sampling and sample analysis. It is grain-size determination, X-RAY analyses, determinations of pH/KCl, pH/H2O soil reactions, Cox, CaCO3, Nc contents, S, T, V sorption capacities, acceptable P, K, Mg nutrients contents and. determination of the content of risk trace elements. The main case study areas are primarily Mariánské Radčice with the loss of seedlings because of hot and dry periods. Next case study areas are Libouš internal dump, Prunéřov and Bílina internal dumps and Pokrok external dump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia is a maritime country has the most islands in the world with many islands in Indonesia, where between one island to the other islands are separated by the sea. Indonesia has a long coastline that is 95.181 km, of which about three-quarters (5,8 million km2) of marine waters of Indonesia is composed of sea coast, seas, bays and straits. North Jakarta coastal areas are being reclaimed and is seen disturbing the balance three aspects of coastal areas, such as environmental, social, and economic, as well as coastal zone management strategy is needed. Analysis of North Jakarta coastal zone management with system dynamics models to show the relevance of social aspects (Level Fishermen welfare), economic aspects (Revenue fishermen) and environmental aspects (Area of ponds, mangrove forests, and total of fishing). Models are designed to validate with the values obtained, AME (pond area) = 49,54%, Average Mean Errors (AME) of validation for (Mangrove) = 5,60%, and AME (total of fishing) =5,64%. Simulation models has done up in 2019. The impact on the economic aspect is the decrease of fishermen's income from Rp. 5.000.000,00-Rp.10.000.000,00 to around Rp 2.000.000,00-Rp. 3.000.000,00. The impact on the social aspect is the reduced level of welfare. The impact on the environmental aspect is the reduction in mangrove area, and accompanied by increased area of the pond. The design of two scenarios on the model of intervention to resolve the existing problems, the first intervention scenario by using of technology and the second intervention scenario is a combination of using technology and restoration of mangrove forests program. Obtained in the simulation results, that both scenarios can show the desired trend in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative phenomenon of suburbanisation has been observed around the globe for many years. One of the methods of counteracting the process is directing the city’s development inward, improving the urban planning parameters, and using areas potentially attractive in terms of location but in need of new management. They are among others post-industrial areas, frequently characterised by a considerable degree of degradation (brownfields). The objective of the article is the determination of the potential of degraded post-industrial areas in cities. An attempt was made to determine the scale of degradation in selected cities. It involved selected analyses of the issue of re-use of post-industrial areas for the purpose of rational and sustainable management of urbanised space, and therefore strengthening of the ability of cities to improve the quality of life of residents. The article presents a detailed analysis of the issue of land degradation in two countries – Poland and Kazakhstan. Attention was paid to the specificity and main causes of degradation in each country. A comparative analysis was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was performed at the former Machów sulphur mine − 871.7 ha of dump area reclaimed after open-cast strip mining. The area was characterized by the terrain structure and vegetation cover resulting from the reclamation process. The applied direction of reclamation for this area was agroforestry. The study showed the possibility of using Sentinel-2 satellite images and airborne laser scanning point clouds for the land use and land cover (LULC) mapping, especially forested areas and deriving precise information about of the structure of vegetation in terms to the effect of reclamation. The results of the Sentinel-2 (2016) image classification showed a graphical representation of the LULC classes. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) point clouds were used to obtain precise spatial information (3D) on the terrain and vegetation structure. Detailed vegetation parameters especially height and canopy cover were calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity has become more prominent in the last decades so since the '70 many studies focused on the use of natural basins both for treatment and storage of wastewater for irrigation. Afterwards, interesting projects of lagoons for reuse have been implemented in all Mediterranean countries. The irrigation water requirements depend on different factors as crops typology, soil structure, environmental features, seasonal variations etc. Consequently, the key point for a correct irrigation management is the possibility to store the proper water volume in storage basins where it is always available on demand. In this context the aim of the present paper is to study the natural finishing processes occurring in lagoon basins in order to optimize the management policies. Those policies must take into account three main features: 1) respect of the legal thresholds for wastewater reuse, 2) satisfy the irrigation needs with an appropriate water volume 3) set the finishing capacity of the basin to regulate the best ratio Phosphorus/Nitrogen (P/N) in output in relationship with the amount requested by the different crops for their growth. The study focuses on the data collected in the first basin of the natural finishing part of the Santerno wastewater treatment plant. The plant is located in Imola (Bologna, Italy) and can be divided in two main parts: primary/secondary treatment and natural finishing treatment. The second part of the plant consists of five natural treatment basins. The monitoring campaigns focuses on the first basin called Basin 1 as the plant management company, HERA S.p.A., intends to destine the outlet of this basin to irrigation reuse. The Hydraulic Retention Time and wet surface area of Basin 1 are 2 days and 14000 m2 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publication attempts to unify the scope of reclamation works in the agricultural, forest and aquatic directions. For the analysis of the works scope, three phases of reclamation were adopted: preliminary, basic (technical) and detailed (biological). Preliminary reclamation consists in the analysis of factors affecting the selection of a reclamation direction, establishing the direction of reclamation and the development of design-estimate documentation. Basic (technical) reclamation consists in the shaping of the terrain, regulating of the hydrogeological conditions, reproducing of the soil, separating of toxic soil formations, constructing and reconstructing of roads, as well as in works safety. Detailed (biological) phase consists in conducting agrotechnical procedures aimed at initiating soil-forming processes and introducing herbaceous plants and trees. Analysis of the type and scope of reclamation works showed that the type of works differs depending on the scale of degradation of the post-mining area, the type of mineral exploited and the reclamation direction. However, the scope of works of the preliminary reclamation phase is the same for all discussed directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was performed at the former Jeziórko sulphur mine (216.5 ha of afforested area after borehole exploitation). The area was characterized by the terrain structure and vegetation cover resulting from the reclamation process. The applied direction of reclamation for this area was forestry. The study investigated the possibility of applying the latest, freely available Sentinel-2 satellite images for the automation of land use and land cover (LULC) mapping, mainly in terms of monitoring the forest succession process in relation to the mode of reclamation. It was verified whether the processing of Sentinel-2 images allows for reliable LULC classification, mainly in the identification of forest succession areas, in relation to LULC mapping prepared by the photointerpretation and manual vectorization of orthophotomaps. The obtained classification results for Sentinel-2 data were also compared to the results of Landsat 8 image processing. The results of the Sentinel-2 image classification showed a correct graphical representation of the LULC classes in relation to the results from the applied vectorization of aerial orthophotomaps - better than the results of the Landsat 8 image processing. The area of the Forest class, based on the classification of the Sentinel-2 images, compared to the results of the vectorization of the orthophotomaps, showed a 1.8% difference in the percentage of LULC classes in the analysed area (for Landsat 8, there was an 8.8% difference). For the Transitional woodland shrub class, there was a 4.9% difference (Landsat 8: 10.3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass belongs among renewable energy sources and its representation in national energy strategies is increasing due to the limited supplies of fossil fuels. One of the options for substitution of fossil fuels is short rotation cropping systems for woody biomass as a method of reclamation and revitalization of anthropogenic soil profiles during restoration activities in the areas after brown coal mining. The scope of the project "Methodology of sustainable agricultural management in anthropogenic damaged landscape" is to obtain a practical usable knowledge for efficient agricultural production in an environmentally and economically sustainable land management system. The article briefly summarizes the possibilities of acquiring of biomass in the Most Basin, main pedological parameters of biomass and practical experience with application of this raw material. Properties of the new anthropogenic soil profiles are described in the conclusion of this paper. A part of the issue of this work was carried out under supported by the project QJ1520307 titled "Methodology of sustainable agricultural management in anthropogenic damaged landscape". This project has been funded with financial support from the state budget through the program KUS by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important element in forecasting impact on groundwater of post-mining wastes used for open pit reclamation is the quantitative assessment of the absorptive capacity of deposited wastes (mainly Carboniferous rocks) and the volume of free rock debris as a zone more susceptible to mineral weathering and pollution leaching. These tests must be carried out simultaneously with the simulation on a laboratory scale of changes in the filtration coefficient of loose materials depending on the depth of the dumping ground and changes in vertical pressure exerted by rocks sown during reclamation. For these purposes, the Author proposed to adapt the research methods originally developed for the purposes of forecasting water hazards in shafts and underground excavations of mining plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Krakow - the former capital of Poland - is situated on border Krakow-Silesian monocline and Carpathians Flysch separated by narrow zone of the Carpathian Foredeep. In the geological structure of Krakow, the Jurassic and Cretaceous are exposed on the surface sediments. The Neogene sediments fill the Vistula valley. For thousands of years the sacred and secular constructions have been built using Jurassic limestones coming from local quarries. These quarries were founded on fault ridges, from the early Middle Ages to the first half of the twentieth century. Today they can be a proper and interesting example of post exploited geological landscape and important and still underappreciated Krakow's cultural heritage. The most successful the development form of post mining areas is the former "Twardowski School" quarry. The exploitation of the Jurassic, thick-layered limestones was carried out there and mining was continued from the early Middle Ages until the end of the 19th century. That limestones were mainly used in municipal constructions. At the end of the 19th century in the quarry with the surface of about 36, 000 m2 the city park was created. Until this day the park exits and is one of the most beautiful place in the Krakow city. At that time it was first and pioneer example of the reclamation of the post mining area in Poland. Another form of the adaptation of the former quarry is "The City Quarry", which operated in 1886-1939. Its surface was of about 35, 000 m2. The excavated limestones were intended for the lime production. Currently in the excavation there are two furnaces which were used to burn lime. Actually scarps are partly overgrown and several apartments were built inside the quarry. The adaptation of post-mining areas should give the city attractive places for recreational, educative and economic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preservation and liquidation of selected mines is a serious problem of mineral resources sector. It is acknowledged that "disturbed" lands lose their value due to such activity, and land reclamation appears to be the most efficient solution for this problem. Not all the sites of mines are subject to unconditional liquidation given the academic and historic-cultural potential what allows considering these territories in a different capacity. The practice of industrial space revitalization by museumification and art-interpretation, the arrangement of such sites for sports and further integration of the re-structured zone into everyday life is of interest. Also the problem of selecting the sites recommended to be preserved and demonstrate mining industry development for the succeeding generations has not been solved. Selection of such sites is to be performed effectually using scientifically grounded methods. The authors suggest a comprehensive system for assessing cultural and commercial potential of mining-industrial monuments that allows selecting the most promising ones. The approach is based on focusing on efficient long-term work of former industrial sites as recreated territories. "Disturbed" lands with traces of old mines in different regions of Russia, both in use and abandoned mining-industrial territories are the research's objects. Conclusions of the possibility to use old mines are based on the assessment of some general and special characteristics of the monument, condition of its sites of interest and their aesthetic component, the location (to provide accessibility and maintenance), the existence of unique features, the possibility to create new goods or services based on it, analysis of the targeted audience, assessment of ecological risks and security issues solubility. In Karelia, Altai and Sverdlovsk Region there are tens of abandoned mines having historical value that in case of reclamation are in danger of losing their unique image. The reality is so that mineral developers/owners of "disturbed" lands have to choose between the expensive procedures of depleted mine reclamation and the other ways of its further use; these methods can be balanced. The suggested conception allows optimizing activities on reclamation, contributes to preservation of the selected industrial territories as cultural, historical and technical legacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction of rare earth elements (REE) from mining wastes may change their physical and chemical properties thus affecting their usefulness for reclamation. The aim of this work was to assess the usefulness for reclamation of mine wastes used for REE production. Samples of mine wastes after an experimental benefication process (n=6) were delivered from Kankberg mine, Sweden. The samples were measured for organic matter (OM) content, specific gravity, maximum water holding capacity (WHC), texture, pH and electric conductivity. The contents of Al, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in the samples were measured after pressure digestion in aqua regia, the C and S contents with elemental autoanalyzer and the N content with Kjeldahl method. The samples were classified as silt loam with moderate WHC (36.0%) and alkali pH (8.7 in water and 8.9 in 1 M KCl). The samples did not contain OM, C and N while the S content was relatively high (0.1%). The concentrations of toxic metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were low. The studied materials can be used for different types of land reclamation including nature restoration, forestry or agriculture as their texture is favorable and they do not contain excessive amounts of toxic metals. Negative properties of these materials include their high pH, high S content and lack of N. The pH of wastes is high particularly for planting forest tree species that are better adapted to low soil pH. However, this problem may be overcome by oxidation of S present in the wastes which is likely to decrease their pH. However, considering high initial pH of the wastes and relatively high amounts of base cations this process should not lead to excessive acidification. Low N content indicates that extensive N fertilization will be required during reclamation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to point out to conception of remediation approaches in the mining landscape after ending of mining. Remediation is technically and financially very demanding. According authors of some scientific studies comparing the results of the technical and biological reclamation with a spontaneous succession showed the advantages of spontaneous succession. Therefore the current trend in landscape ecology promotes procedures without technical remediation, which limits the progressive succession. On the territory of Middle Spiš, which are includes Rudňany was long period area of intensive mining mainly iron and copper ores. In the 90 years there was an attenuation ores mining and ultimately the closure of the mines. The structure of the landscape is largely influenced by mining activity both on the surface, where there are remarkable anthropogenic surface man-made landforms - mine landforms, but also below the surface where they formed the so-called mining basement. The process of remediation takes place differentiated, namely by various remediation procedures (or the remediation is missing) which are the cause of transformation of utilisation of the landscape and of change its physiognomy. An essential means of research was the study of maps and archival materials and as well long-term field research. Comparison of results from different time periods, we came to the conclusions and recommendations which are presented in article. On the basis of the latest trends of the expert studies, in the current period the greatest emphasis gives on the aesthetic value of the former mining spaces in the landscape, which has educational potential and the potential for tourism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is inventarization, mapping and valorization of coal mining waste dumps, which occur in the area of Gliwice city (southern Poland, NW part of USCB), for the needs of reclamation and management of examined objects and defining potential recovery of coal from the dumps. Valorization of post-mining waste dumps has been done using original methodology, considering problems of reclamation, management, accessibility of the dumps as well as environmental hazards. On three valorized post-mining waste dumps, occurring in the boundaries of Gliwice, there were disposed mining wastes from two underground coal mines: Gliwice and Sośnica-Makoszowy. None of dumps is endangered by self-ignition and fires, but one dump is partially burned. Two objects represent tabular dumps, which have been reclaimed using mixed type of biological reclamation: tree reclamation and grass cultivation. One dump is partially taken apart. All dumps have good accessibility. One dump is partially burned, what reduces possibilities of recovery of coal from waste material. Two other dumps could be considered as potential anthropogenic deposits, but in one case a limiting factor is relative small surface of the dump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Czech Republic, the production of energy using fossil fuels - particularly coal - is still a major proportion of total production. The energy sector is and will remain one of the most important areas of the Czech economy, ensuring supply of electricity and heat to the population and industrial enterprises. In the power and heating plants is burned primarily domestic brown coal mined in opencast mines in the north-western part of the Czech Republic, namely, Usti Region. For combustion of biomass in the Czech Republic only less energy resources, which are located closer to the advanced agricultural or forestry activities. This is associated with high production of solid residues from incineration. One part of the project "Methodology of sustainable agricultural management in anthropogenic damaged landscape" is also to propose the use of products of combustion of coal and biomass a as a method of reclamation and revitalization of anthropogenic soil profiles and to restore areas after brown coal mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarised course of activities in trachyandezit (Latit) quarry (tephrite) in Braňany location starting from mining working permit phase until termination of activities and subsequent redevelopment and reclamation of quarry residual pit. Redevelopment and reclamation of territory after mining is one of the main activities of Severočeské doly a.s. The paper provides data on the Braňany opencast mine, namely the geography, environmental situation, climatic, hydrologic, geological and hydrogeological conditions of the relevant area. The existing basic water management system of the Braňany Mine is described as well as the proposal of the technical approach concerning disposal of sediments, which pose major effects not only on the chemistry of mine water, but, in particular, on the dump site stability. It is necessary to realize that mining companies spend several million crowns every year to eliminate mining activity, which is an indispensable part of the social and cultural life in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the treatment of terrain and the following forestry reclamation in the Ervěnice area situated near the city Most at the foot hills of Ore Mountains. It considers the impal of using secondary energy products for the reclamation of this previously mined area on ground water, surfac ewater, air and noise. The area had previously been used as sands and gravel waste disposal and in the last years efore there clamation there had been some natural restoration of the biotopes on the brought sands ubstrates; however this was with out any sufficient preparations and with out any clearing of under-layers. The suitability of using available secondary energy products in the area is examined and the conditions for executing the technical part of there clamation are set. Further more, the already executed part of the reclamation is evaluated - this includes the ensuring of drainage of the area by building anessential drainageditch, the treatment of terrain with gradual delivery and subsequent compaction of individuall years and finály the final forestation of the treated part of the area. The conclusion suggests further reclamation procedures in the set area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mining causes undesirable terrain subsidence due to caving in of the overlying rocks into the already excavated space. Subsidence deforms the terrain, damages structures on the surface and water flows, which results in the formation of inaccessible wetlands and swamps, and these areas need to be reclaimed. The problem of large flooded areas as a result of mining activities also concerns an area known as "Kozinec", which is located between Karviná and Doubrava in the Czech Republic. That territory has long been affected by mining in the Mining Plant 1. In "Kozinec", the subsidence reached up to 7 metres. Since this site has great natural value, it seemed desirable to reclaim the area. As early as in 2009, work on individual projects involving reclamation activities began. The projects also included proposals of islands and peninsulas that would be placed in the flooded area. Individual projects are designed so that sustainable development is maintained within the entire territory after the completion of reclamation projects. It is, therefore, a measure for the preservation of the environment for future generations in the least altered form. The article, deals with the design of the reclamation of the area influenced by the mining activity. The paper includes visualization of the designs of individual landscaping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining technical reclamation as the main technological process for the development of ore deposits with the open method, as well as the cost optimization of reclamation, taking into account possible technical solutions have been considered in the paper. The investigation proves that the time gap between the soil disturbance and reclamation should be minimal, that is, reclamation must be carried out not at the final stage of mining, but in the process of mineral mining. The reclamation time is directly related to the efficiency of field development. Mining companies should take measures of early environmental renovation of disturbed lands at the initial stage of operation and their return to economic use. All these measures will reduce the negative impact on the environment of disturbed areas and reduce the payment for land disturbance and environmental pollution. For field deposits working out by the stages and separately open pit, overburden from the worked-out space should be placed in the mined-out space. Separate removal of the topsoil should be applied. Outside dumps should be placed in areas not suitable for use. The base of the dumps should be in the regular shape of an ellipse or rectangle, to reduce the area of occupied land. It is necessary to take the method of formation of the dump or heap, which ensures the reduction of the mining and planning operations during its subsequent reclamation. The results of this investigation can be used to improve the efficiency and reliability of design solutions for the open ore deposits development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution deals with a future development of an area affected by brown coal mining. The area consists of Chomutov, Most, Teplice and Ústí nad Labem districts located in the northern Bohemia at the foot of the Ore Mountains. Even though the land is severely damaged by the coal mining, the future potential can be sustainable there. Due to good experience with reclamation and restoration processes, the area is constantly renewed and integrated back to the surrounding landscape. It is important to concentrate on renewable energy sources after the brown coal mining in the Most basin will end in 2055. Thanks to the geographical position near the Ore Mountains, the monitoring area can generate energy from wind turbines. The newly restored landscape could also be a good place for energy crops cultivation. Geothermal energy has a future potential in this area too, due to good geological conditions. Transformation to renewable energy sources will ensure better living for the residents dwelling in the monitoring districts. It is important to deal with the issue of energy resources as soon as possible. The significance of sustainable development lies in three basic pillars, ecological, economic and social, that must be taken into an account together. An inclusion of sustainable development rules into decision making processes is necessary to ensure better conditions for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this paper was to determine the water content of post-mining waste deposited in the workings of opencast filling sand mine CTL Maczki-Bór in Sosnowiec. A 3D model of the mine was created as part of the paper, i.e. a spatial arrangement of the layers forming it. Among others, three main layers were constructed: elevation map in the area of working, the ordinates map of groundwater table with the mapping of the open-pit drainage system, and a map of the bottom of the open pit reclaimed with waste rock. Based on the obtained layers, two maps were plotted: the depth of the Quaternary water table and the thickness of post-mining waste which is under constant influence of groundwater. The maps obtained from the processing of data in ArcGIS allowed the evaluation of the water content of the deposited waste. Particularly important from the point of view of assessing the impact of the facility on the ground and water environment was to obtain information about the spatial distribution of watered waste, as well as its thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processes controlled by automatic regulation make possible to process the coal flotation sludge stored in sedimentation ponds near the mines in the region of Ostrava-Karviná. Sludge was previously formed as unusable waste during coal preparation in flotation, and it represents a significant environmental burden for the landscape. In the last several years, lagoons have been extracted by floating suction dredgers, and the value of this raw material is increased on the homogenization line, or it is added to the flotation feedstock at the Jan Karel preparation plant in Karviná. The preparation process is controlled by automatic regulation according to the set of desired ash contents in the output products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the proposal for remediation and reclamation of quarry operations in the Czech and Slovak Republic, and it is the subject of the implementation of the reclamation works in areas affected by mining. This proposal is an example of solving the reclamation works, including the calculation of the cost of remediation and reclamation of agricultural land and forest land. Remediation and reclamation includes all work intended to eliminate landscape damage as well as damage caused to the land of natural and legal entities due to mining activities (Act No. 44/1988 Coll. On the protection and utilization of mineral resources (the Mining Act), as amended). These works include the reclamation of land under special regulations on protection of agricultural and forest land. The ultimate goal of reclamation work is the creation of terrain relief under the plan of remediation and reclamation, which is supposed to be environmentally balanced and economically valuable environment required by social needs. Therefore, in addition to land and forests, the result of reclamation work is new quality of lithosphere, hydrosphere, relief, pedosphere, atmosphere, etc. Besides the improvement of ecological and socioeconomic conditions, improving territorial and technical conditions also represents an important result of the reclamation work. They are both crucial for assessing proposals of individual types of reclamation under the current plan for opening, preparation and mining. In particular, the need for careful selection of proposal and implementation requires the population in the affected areas, as well as the need for industrial and agricultural production. Proposals will be supported by calculations according to indicative orientation prices in the pricelist for reclamation issued in 2016 by the organization Cenekon s.r.o. Bratislava. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to point out the negative impact of tailings ponds on the landscape and on their reclamation. The existence of the tailings ponds in the mining area poses a complex problem, which affects the environment, violates the landscape, and causes health problems to the nearby residents. Reclamation is technically and financially demanding. Remediation of tailings ponds is determined according its location and the method the storage and as well the composition of sludge as well as to other factors. The domain of the region of Middle Spiš was the activity in the ore mining especially in the past. As a result the landscape structure in this territory underwent a significant transformation. The most significant change was stricken the relief of the landscape. On the basis of the mining arose man-made forms of relief. The significantly of them are tailings ponds. These include also the flotation tailings pond at the village Markušovce which was created as a result of an accumulation the sludge from ore processing. At present time tailings pond is as anthropogenic bearing of barite on which is on-going mining of the waste from flotation ore for the industry e. g. of the extraction of crude petroleum (rinsing of drilling rigs). We consider this is a very effective way to minimize negative impacts on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The region of Upper Silesia is practically the only area where underground extraction of hard coal is undertaken, both in Poland and the Czech Republic. This activity results in area degradation. In recent years in Upper Silesia (on both sides of the border) an intensive activity has been carried out, the aim of which is to restore biological processes in these areas, neutralise the existing toxicity and regulate the hydrographic conditions. These problems have been reflected in the provisions of formal and legal requirements which are binding in European Union, i.e. they apply to all EU member states. The article presents the influence of coal waste heaps on the surrounding water structures. Two selected water reservoirs, formed as a result of mining activity on the territory of Poland and the Czech Republic, have been compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opencast mining is very common in the Czech Republic, regrettably, however, it has very little positive impact on the environment. It negatively affects the landscape, agriculture, forestry, villages, towns, transport structures, and historical monuments. This article describes the issue of coal mining and its impact on the environment in the area that is affected by mining. It evaluates the environmental impacts of the city environment and its surroundings, especially the increased dustiness and noise. It refers to the dominant sources of noise and dust within the operation of the Bílina quarry, and in the conclusion, it suggests possible measures to eliminate these negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term intensive mining activities result in the irreversible changes in landscape. The mining landscape is a specific type of landscape, which has specific features in terms of its geology, geomorphology, and environment. Dumps, ponds, undermined areas, and caving zones are some of the negative consequences of mining activities in mining landform. The remediation of each form needs to be considered separately, as it may be technically and financially demanding. This paper deals with the occurrence of unique group of plants at reclaimed mine dumps. Mine dumps are usually located on or near the mine site. Waste rock from the underground mining is stored on the mine site. Dumps are stony, with a high content of skeleton, and low content of essential nutrients and water. The limiting factor is the high heavy metal content. The emergence of the so-called ecological islands on reclaimed mine site is an interesting phenomenon. The dumps with high heavy metal concentration are colonised by a specific species plants. Some of the species (immigrants) unable to adapt have for many decades been excluded from the vegetation. Ultimately, a small group of plants is able to grow under the given phytotoxic conditions. These plant communities called heavy metal tolerant plants have evolved into unique species habitats found nowhere else. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining companies in the Czech Republic as well as in the Moravian-Silesian region, which lies in the border area neighboring with Poland, are focusing to implement remediation and reclamation plans for areas influenced by both - underground and surface mining and quarrying. Their proposals are based on studies and fulfill all current legislation norms. During the last decades of the 20th century and early 21st century we can notice higher ecological concerns, lesser bureaucratic interference into the proposals and also higher emphasis on the complexity of reclamation work. There are naturally few problems presented which need to be solved and resolved. These are mainly: updating legislation for area of reclamation activities, securing the long term concepts, assuring sufficient amount of funds for reclamation. The other problematic area can be also removal of old environmental buildings and damages occurred before privatization of the mining companies. The list could continue with suggestions for improvements as better management of already completed reclamation projects, professional integration of personnel involved in sanitation and rehabilitation on non-governmental and execution level. Coal mining activities in the Czech-Polish area are mostly spreaded in Ostrava-Karvina region, which is formed by Upper-Silesian Coal Basin. Following overview of mining areas in use till 21st of October 2013 is based on the database of the National Mining Administration of the Czech Republic. Those areas are: Darkov, Dolní Suchá, Doubrava u Orlové, Karviná - Doly I, Karviná Doly II, Lazy, Louky, Petfvald and Stonava. In the present circumstances of the world prices of coal we can state that for long term -mining cannot secure permanent job opportunities and is only temporary asset for the region. Mining activity has its negative impacts which are health issues and ecological concerns but it also brings positive effects as economical development of the region. Underground mining in Ostrava-Karvina minesis mainly carried out by controlled caving, therefore what occurs is process of deposition of the convex forms of reliefs. In addition surface declines in the excavated areas. In the border landscape there are morphologically formed ecotopes which are in the early stages without the life, but fairly soon come to live with variety of fauna and flora. Restoration of landscapes, influenced by the negative effects of mineral extraction can be achieved by two basic methods -- spontaneous and controlled rehabilitation or Biotechnical rehabilitation - what will be also described in the proposed paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining companies have a statutory obligation to provide remediation and reclamation of land affected by mining, and to create a financial reserve for this purpose. The creation and use of reserve funds is subject to approval and inspection by the District Mining Authorities. However, no regulations specify the methodology for creating reserve funds. Therefore, each of the mining companies has the opportunity to choose their own way of creating a financial reserve. In this context, our article describes methods for creating financial reserves of the particular mining company GEMEC Union for remediation and reclamation after surface coal mining. After the description of the Žacléř mining area where the quarries are located, we chronologically compare coal mining in two quarries (Žacléř Quarry II and Žacléř Quarry A-A -- internal company names). We present the principles of the creation and use of financial reserves for remediation and reclamation, first in general, according to the current legislation, and then specifically, using an analysis, and compare the use of reserves at the particular quarries in the Žacléř mining area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution is focused on evaluation of radiation risks of heaps that remained after uranium mining for visitors in popular mountain areas in Czech Republic. Majority of these heaps is located in Krkonoše Mountains National Park. This mining was realized in from 1949 to 1959 by Czech state enterprise Jáchymovské Doly for Soviet Union. There is a concern that these heaps should contain remains of high activity uranium ore because of by the used mining technology as there was no environmentally oriented mines reclamation. The main task of this contribution was to measure radiation levels of remained heaps and then define methodology for determination of risk factors for inhabitants and visitors. Second task was focused on measuring of volumes of heaps as this information is associated with the level of the risk level from possible radiation. Measurement was performed in the grid of equidistant points where every point was measured by scintillation counter for the radiation level of the surface together with measuring by Geiger-Müller counter that was used for measuring radiation level in the biological height for human body. Results from measuring clearly displayed that majority of heaps contains uranium ore in places where it was probably stored after mining. Methodology for evaluation of radiation risk was created based on regulations from Radiation Protection of the State Institute for Nuclear Safety especially for inhabitants and for radiation workers. Authors proposed 4 levels of radiation risk based on this input. As none of the sections achieved a maximum risk value of measured ppm U on the surface and because these heaps are either accessible with difficulties due to the complex mountainous terrain it is not expected that these heaps will present any danger to environment or inhabitants. Calculated volumes of heaps based on laser scanning displayed a potentially large amount of useable rock material for road works and similar maintenance works that are allowed in the Krkonoše Mountains National Park. Authors made proposals for reclamations of remained heaps. The only limitation for this intent will be environment protection regulations that are valid in the national park. Unfortunately the largest remained heaps are located in the second protected zone of the Krkonoše Mountains National Park. Finally, the paper includes a note about the radionuclide analysis of outgoing mine water from these abandoned mining works [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the reclamation of the Olšany mining area to suit new trends in the reclamation of land affected by mining activities. The introductory section briefly describes the basic data on the Olšany Quarry and characteristics of the deposit. The solution itself is the proposal of technical and biological reclamation of the concerned deposit, and evaluation of the submitted proposal. The key part of the article consists of the economic balance quantifying the costs necessary to carry out reclamation in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural environment of the Czech Republic is altered by many influences. The most important involve direct human interventions in the geological environment, mainly by the mining of mineral resources. The results of mining activities are the mining landforms that are of different sizes, shapes and rock structures. Their appearance is conditioned by the character of the raw material, the technological methods used for mining, and, in the case of sites that are currently close to termination, also by landscape management after the conclusion of mining activities. These specific conditions are taken into account in land reclamation projects, which depend on the economic and social needs of the region affected by mining. This paper evaluates changes in reclamation projects in mining areas, with a particular focus on the period of the 1990s, which is associated with a more comprehensive approach to the landscape and the environment. The paper offers an overview of interesting projects in the Czech Republic which are used at schools and for the popularisation of scientific disciplines. At the end, we offer a list of interdisciplinary topics that can be implemented in various mining shapes areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elimination of the environmental burdens currently represents one of the most serious problems. Thermally active spoil heaps have a detrimental effect on the environment. The article deals with the possibilities how to suppress thermal activity and subsequent recultivation of the spoil heaps which occur in connection with coal mining and coal preparation. The report describes the sanation of the spoil heaps of the Tuchlovice, Schoeller and Katerina coal mines. Based on the knowledge gained during the implementation, there are designed series of interconnected activities of the recultivation process which minimizes the risk of failure of proposed sanation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining and quarrying in the affected territories often results in negative impacts and interventions on the landscape and the environment. This article aims to cover the content of the available legislation standards in the Czech Republic which are related to the area of devastation and consequent obligations to redevelopment and reclamation of the landscape. One of such areas is the territory on the border of Poland and Czech Republic, which was affected by mining activities in the coal mines. The article will be used as a part of promotion of operational programme of the cross-border the Czech Republic-Poland cooperation called „Education of Specialists in the Field of Keeping Post-mining areas in Polish-Czech Border Region”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practically, the only area in Poland where mining is carried out by the borehole method is the region of Upper Silesia. This activity results in the degradation of areas. In recent years in Poland (particularly in Upper Silesia) intensive activity has been undertaken to restore biological processes in these areas, regulate the air and water relations, neutralise the toxicity of deposits and give the area a shape convenient for the planned works. Since environment protection does not have a long tradition in Poland, some of the activities undertaken to reclaim the post-mining areas are frequently random and deprived of any specific scientific bases. These problems have been reflected in the records of formal and legal requirements at the level of the union; therefore, they apply to all EU member states. Using an example of one of the mines located in this territory, problems caused by the exploitation of hard coal as well as proposals of solutions to restore these areas „to life” have been presented. General goals and directions of post-mining areas management have been presented as well as the results of conducted research, in which, using a selected example, young people pointed to the directions of degraded areas transformations which they found particularly attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper compares the development of reclamation methodologies of lignite mining areas in the Czech Republic and Germany. Attention is particularly paid to hydroreclamations, which are one of the best from the current landscape management perspective. The paper provides a detailed outline of the development of the legislative framework of reclamations in the Czech Republic and the German Republic, active share of the mining companies - phase of reclamation cycles and civil society. It also summarizes the challenges and problems associated with hydroreclamation in the compared countries and based on the comparison, best practices and approaches to reclaimed areas will be recommended both in terms of amenities, such as the economic utilization of the upcoming grants from the EU, as well as the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur from the deposits located in the south-east of Poland was extracted by open pit and perforation methods. Once the extraction stopped, the reclamation of excavation sites and cavity areas started. One of the excavation sites, located in Machow, was reclaimed in water direction, creating the artificial reservoir with the depth of 42 m and surface 4.5 km² which is nowadays used to recreational purposes. The creation of water body, standardized as a bathing area, was possible thanks to isolation of the deposit layer and a proper selection of water used to fill up the reservoir. The conducted examination of the reservoir water made it possible to establish the type of the reservoir and its pollution balance. Currently, the reservoir water may be characterized as one with low contents of biogenic substances, insignificant salinity and lack of hazardous substances. The research performed indicated that the system is characteristic for typical dimictic lakes. The area devastated by mining activity was reclaimed. This reservoir is particularly important because of the lack of natural lakes in this region and small amount of places useful for water recreation. Yet, the impact of recreation can be dangerous for water quality in reservoir and cause acceleration of eutrophication processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the basic problem of biodiversity and growth of forest woody species and plant communities in Ostrava and Karviná which belong to industrial cities influenced by black coal mining. Presented contribution describes results of research focused on phytosociological and dendrological data in the area of interest. There was committed evaluation of plant communities in various stages of spontaneous succession during years 2009 and 2011. For the evaluation of growth a new method of measuring linear growth on reclaimed and unreclaimed spoil heaps had been applied. The results of this research prove that the highest species biodiversity is connected with areas not affected by technical-biological reclamation. The lowest biodiversity was found in the case of areas reclaimed technically and biologically with soiling. Research has shown the influence of environment on the development increment of trees. In the early stages of the spoil heaps thrived better pioneer woody species; other species have been shown to lower the initial increment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The industrial production produces large amounts of secondary raw materials which are unusable for primary production and it is necessary to find ways to use them. This article focuses on the design and secondary raw materials usage from wastewater which occurs while arising from pulp using by-products and excavation of soils. Here is also described semi-mobile unit provides by ourselves which enables the production of certified reclamation mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many areas damaged by mining processes had been afforested or reclaimed for agricultural use; however, the trends of the past decades incline to a more natural way of reclamation or to reclamation with the recreational function. The history of the damaged landscape is an aspect of reclamation that is often overlooked. Post-mining landscape reconstruction with the use of historical data, especially maps, is considered a subsidiarity related to reclamation. Comparison of historical maps, in this case of stable cadastre maps and land-use data going back to the years 1842-1843, are compared with recent maps, and the land-use data provides a picture of the changes in landscape in course of the last 160 years. Knowledge of the historical land-use acreages and an evaluation of the landscape stability should be taken into account during reclamation processes in order to establish functional landscape [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented contribution deals with the former ash pond study in the Třinec city, which is one of the most important industrial cities in the Czech Republic. The study was focused on the research of spontaneous succession ongoing in the study area almost 50 years and also focused on the evaluation of success in realized reclamation. There was designed a reclamation management based on the obtained information about the study area. The management was prepared according to the methodological procedures of directed succession. Individual management measures for the future care of the area were designed sensitively according to the locality integration in the surrounding landscape without disturbance of current spontaneous succession. Scientific benefit of the contribution is to draw attention to the possibility using methods of conducted succession for designing reclamation of former industrial sites, ash ponds or other nonfunctional and unused Brownfield sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa currently faces both a shortage of water as well as deterioration in the quality of the available water due to industrial activities such as mining and power generation. The CSIR-ABC process can be used for neutralization and desalination of sulphate- rich effluents. A mixture of BaSO4 and CaCO3 sludge is produced as by-product, which preferably needs to be separated prior to thermal treatment. The aim of this study was to separate calcium carbonate from barium sulphate through dissolution of CaCO3 in contact with CO2. Conclusions drawn from this work were: (1) The dissolution rate of CaCO3 is rapid; (2) CaCO3 has a high solubility of about 2 600 mg/l when in contact with CO2 at 1 atm., while BaSO4 is almost completely insoluble; (3) The solubility of CaCO3 increases with decreasing temperature and decreasing pressure; (4) Visual MINTEQ is a powerful tool that can be used to predict the solubilities of CaCO3 and BaSO4 when contacted with CO2; (5) CaCO3 can be separated from BaSO4 in and CaCO3/BaSO4 mixed sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance of a 1.2 m thick insulation cover constructed on the Xstrata Nickel Raglan Mine tailings storage facility was assessed in situ. The mine is located in the Northern part of the province of Quebec, Canada, in the continuous permafrost zone. The methods used in this study to quantify the performance of the insulation cover include oxygen consumption tests to assess the tailings reactivity and temperature measurements at various depths in the cover material and sulfide tailings. The oxygen consumption test consists of measuring the decrease in oxygen concentration in a sealed chamber and, using fundamental gas diffusion laws, to calculate the oxygen flux through the tailings surface, the oxygen consumption can be related to the tailings oxidation. Three stations were installed directly in the tailings without insulation cover and three under the 1.2 m insulation cover. Oxygen consumption reached a maximum value of 544 moles∙m-2·year-1 for the non-covered stations during August when the tailings temperature was 12.8°C. Oxygen consumption drops with temperature and is close to zero at about -4 °C. For the covered stations, oxygen consumption is low in August and tends to increase from September to the end of October, to reach a maximum value of 444 moles·m-2 ∙year-1. Tailings reactivity decreases in December when tailings temperature drops to approximately -5°C. These results show that, when the tailings are not preserved from freeze-thaw cycles, even with a granular insulation cover of 1.2 m, the sulfide contained in the tailings can oxidize. Moreover, the tailings can still oxide at subzero temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a numerical analysis of the effect of vertical sand layer and the length of impermeable barrier to achieve an optimum design of reactive drain pile in reclamation site. The reactive drain method is proposed to achieve simultaneously both the soft ground improvement and the remediation of contaminated pore water. It concludes that the consolidation rate is retarded according to the lengthening of impermeable barrier regardless of installation of vertical sand layer.