FEATURES OF GEOMORPHOLOGY STRUCTURE OF THE GNIVAN GRANITE QUARRY (VINNYTSIA REGION)

Abstract

The Hnivan granite quarry is located in Vinnytsia district of Vinnytsia region. Geomorphologically, territory belongs to the western edge of the Dnieper Upland. Geostructurally, the quarry is located on the western edge of the Ukrainian shield, within the Podilsky megablock. Since the beginning of development, 7 rock horizons have been fully opened. As of today, the 8th horizon is being developed, and the development of the 9th horizon is planned in the future. The Hnivan quarry is a deep polygonal trapezoidal quarry in plan with many steps in profile. Morphometric characteristics of the Hnivan quarry and dump complex: the maximum length from north to south (including dumps of overburden strata) is 1 800 m; the maximum length of the quarry pit from north to south is 1 400 m, the maximum width from west to east is 900 m. The absolute heights within the mining are 230–255 m, the absolute height of the mine floor is 130 m. The depth of the quarry pit is currently about 105 m. The bottom is 97 meters below the level of the Southern Buh river. Quarry landforms are divided into produced relief forms, caused by anthropogenic denudation and bulked relief forms, created as a result of anthropogenic accumulation. The produced relief of the Hnivan quarry is represented by the bottom and walls. The bottom has a complex geometric shape of an elongated polygon from north to south. It consists of the bottom of the seventh developed horizon and the eighth horizon, where mining operations are carried out. Between these horizons, there is a step 15 m high. The surface of the bottom is flat, there are no internal dumps. The walls of the quarry are characterized by a multi-step shape in profile. They are approximately the same in height, steepness and nature of the processes. The structure of the walls in the upper parts, which are represented by ledges of overburden horizons, is different. The ancient steps of the mine walls are significantly disturbed by weathering, water erosion and gravitational processes. The produced relief forms of the quarry are represented by overburden dumps and processing plant dumps. All of them are located outside the quarry and are external dumps. Dumps of overburden strata are recultivated - stable and artificially forested. This example of carrying out reclamation works of a part of the quarry and dump complex can be a model for the improvement of anthropogenically disturbed territories. Key words: granite quarries; geomorphological structure; excavated relief; heaped relief; Hnivan.