Proposal of a new Mining and Geology Impact Factor (MaGIF) index for the study of post-mining environment

Abstract

The Babina mine closed almost 50 years ago, and reclamation works for reforestation began shortly after. Despite various technical and biological measures, the area is still experiencing negative consequences from mining, exacerbated by its complex glaciotectonic structure. These phenomena have an impact on the post-mining environment. The presented study aimed to identify areas within a mining area of the Babina mine, where the former mining activities and geological structure had the strongest influence on the changes in flora and soil conditions between 1989 and 2019. The research also revealed previously undocumented mining excavations. The study used the Mining and Geology Impact Factor, combining OLS models and spatial statistics based on spectral indices. Eighteen explanatory factors described the geological-mining and topographic conditions, while five dependent variables represented changes in vegetation and soil over 30 years. MaGIF values ranged between 0.13 and 0.97. The highest values indicated a significant impact on soil and vegetation in six regions. Extrapolation of the index values identified three areas where past mining activities may have occurred outside of archival records. This study confirms the substantial environmental influence of previous mining and the glaciotectonic structure. The use of remote sensing and spatial analysis aids in identifying vulnerable areas and preventing potential environmental damage.