Geomorphology of old and abandoned underground mines: Review and future challenges

Abstract

Abandoned underground mines remain insufficiently investigated landforms, which leads to underestimating their importance within world landscapes. Even though they stand as distinct and widespread geomorphic forms, research devoted to them is underpublished in comparison with natural caves. Because many mines with disturbed entrances remain hidden, various methods of their detection are reviewed, which are essential to prevent loss of life and damage due to their eventual collapse. The most prominent manifestations of the presence of abandoned underground mines are dynamic deformations along with slower subsidence. Even small related movements of the rock mass are detectable. Interest in monitoring and modelling the motions of such processes is growing. In response to the increasing number of documented mines worldwide, their reclamation, remediation or rehabilitation are being initiated as part of efforts to restore land devastated by mining activities; complex reclamation problems can be addressed by multidisciplinary expert teams. However, it is important to note that abandoned underground mines and their particular geomorphic forms are considered to be a source of great geodiversity and hence also biodiversity. The various possibilities of future research connected with abandoned underground mines as geomorphic forms are outlined.

Stability-Level Evaluation of the Construction Site above the Goaf Based on Combination Weighting and Cloud Model

“…For example, the InterContinental Shimao Wonderland Hotel in Shanghai is the first natural ecological hotel built on an abandoned goaf site in China [7], the Dawang Mountain Mine Pit in Changsha has been turned into an ice and snow theme park and a water park according to its geological conditions and regional development characteristics [8], and the Jiaozuo Seam Mountain National Mine Park is a comprehensive mine park that focuses on displaying the landscape of coal mining relics [9]. When a building is built over a goaf, the internal rock strata will produce secondary deformation under the action of building load stress, which will lead to residual deformation on the surface and damage to the building [10,11], including road damage and house cracking, as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, the study on the stability of the construction site above a goaf is the basis for the reuse of land resources above abandoned goafs [12,13].…”

“…Sustainability 2023, 15, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 18 according to its geological conditions and regional development characteristics [8], and the Jiaozuo Seam Mountain National Mine Park is a comprehensive mine park that focuses on displaying the landscape of coal mining relics [9]. When a building is built over a goaf, the internal rock strata will produce secondary deformation under the action of building load stress, which will lead to residual deformation on the surface and damage to the building [10,11], including road damage and house cracking, as shown in Figure 1.…”

Surface Deformation Monitoring and Risk Mapping in the Surroundings of the Solotvyno Salt Mine (Ukraine) between 1992 and 2021

“…The monitoring of mining-induced surface subsidence is costly and often not feasible by onsite measurements [12]. The analysis of remotely sensed imagery archives is one of the most promising tools to map and track historical displacements [13].…”

Impact of past mining on public safety: seismicity in area of flooded abandoned coal Gardanne mine, France

“…( e.g., F.T. Lee and F. Abel Jr. 1983;Didier 2008;Schuchová & Lenart 2020). Mining failures that can potentially have a severe impact on the surface and lead to ground instabilities (such as sinkholes, collapses of underground mining works or pillar failures,), are often accompanied with the seismic activity which is hence considered as a precursory signal of potential failures.…”