ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES OF THE “OLD COPPER BASIN” AREA LANDSCAPE (NORTH-SUDETIC SYNCLINORIUM) IN THE LIGHT OF LIDAR-BASED GEOMORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND ARCHIVAL DATA

Abstract

While the history, techniques of exploitation and deposit parameters of the copper ores in the North-Sudetic Synclinorium have been the subject of numerous investigations, the transformations of the terrain in the so-called “Old Copper Basin” (Lower Silesia, SW Poland) have not been analysed in detail before. This paper is intended to complement this gap. The authors present the results of the detailed geomorphometric analysis of the post-mining forms related directly to the copper mining. The LiDAR-based, high-resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), which have been used in the analysis and description of the landforms, are currently considered as the most accurate and precise 3D-spatial data available in the numerical form. The following anthropogenic forms are distinguished in the study area: large- and small-scale ground deformations (depressions and small sinkholes), abandoned quarries, and forms associated with the exploitation and storage of the flotation wastes – post-flotation tailings and dumps. Our investigations have allowed visualization of the spatial distribution of the forms, estimation of their total volume as well as perspectives of their reclamation and protection.