Abstract
The presented research aimed to evaluate the spatio-temporal distribution of ground movements caused by groundwater head changes induced by mining. The research was carried out in the area of one of the copper ore and anhydrite mines in Poland. To determine ground movements, classical surveying results and the persistent scatter Satellite Radar Interferometry (PSInSAR) method were applied. The mining operation triggered significant subsidence, reaching 1.4 m in the years 1944–2015. However, subsidence caused by groundwater pumping was about 0.3 m. After mine closure, an ongoing groundwater rebound was observed. Hence, land uplift occurred, reaching no more than 29 mm/y. The main part of the investigation concerned developing a novel method for uplift prediction. Therefore, an attempt was made to comparatively analyze the dynamics of ground movements correlated with the mine life and hydrogeological condition. These analyses allowed the time factor for the modeling of land uplift to be determined. The investigation also revealed that in the next six years, the uplift will reach up to 12 mm/y. The developed methodology could be applied in any post-mining area where groundwater-rebound-related uplift is observed.
Highlights
The underground mining of mineral and ore deposits is widespread across the world
Similar uplift is observed in areas where the extraction of freshwater from underground reservoirs has been stopped in the last few years, including Thessaloniki in Greece [19], Taiwan [20], and Bangkok in Thailand [21]
Vertical Ground Movement Velocity Observed by persistent scatter Satellite Radar Interferometry (PSInSAR)
Summary
The underground mining of mineral and ore deposits is widespread across the world. Currently, the most frequently mined minerals are hard coal, iron ores, bauxite, phosphate, and gypsum [1]. Land uplift is especially dangerous for underground and surface infrastructure This is because ground movements cause tensile forces, which have a significant negative impact on the strength of technical infrastructure and buildings. Similar uplift is observed in areas where the extraction of freshwater from underground reservoirs has been stopped in the last few years, including Thessaloniki in Greece [19], Taiwan [20], and Bangkok in Thailand [21] In all these areas, the phenomenon causes financial losses for the local government, which are related to the current monitoring of land uplift and repair of the destroyed infrastructure. The presence of tectonic discontinuities, as well as a significant volume of excavation void, may lead to regional groundwater migration disturbances [10,11]
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