Surface Coal Mining Research Articles

Recovery of compaction resources in internal dump of gently inclined composite coal seam open-pit mine

In the production and construction process of a slowly inclined composite coal seam surface mine in China, the problem of coal compression by the non-working slope is common, but the research on coal recovery is usually conducted for the end slope compression problem. Due to the small economic and reasonable stripping ratio in the early stage of infrastructure construction in an open-pit mine, the buried deep coal seam has not yet been mined and is covered by internal dumping. In recent years, with the gradual increase of the economic and reasonable stripping ratio, the mining of coal seam covered by internal dumping site has become feasible. This paper puts forward the mining scheme for this problem. In this paper, a mathematical model is established, and the trench between the inner dump and the non-working side is used as the working platform for coal seam mining. The relationship between stripping height, working line length and mining width of coal seam is studied. The variation law of production stripping ratio, remining amount, repeated stripping amount and mining width is further analyzed. At the same time, the influence of production stripping cost on the economic and reasonable stripping ratio is studied, and the relationship between transportation cost and discharge distance is established, so as to indirectly determine the relationship between mining width and economic and reasonable stripping ratio. Finally, it is found that the relationship between mining net income and mining width is first proportional and then inversely proportional. Taking an open-pit mine as an example, through the quantitative analysis of economic indicators, the net income of coal mining under different mining widths is calculated. The results show that when the mining width is 271 m, the economic benefit of the inner row mining is the highest, and the net income reaches 2021.4575 million yuan. At this time, the production stripping ratio is 5.25, which is less than the economic and reasonable stripping ratio of 6.95. The practical significance of the results is to improve the overall economic benefits and recovery rate of mining enterprises, and ensure the safe, green and efficient mining of mines.

Surface coal mining in drylands: A multiscale comparison of spatiotemporal patterns and environmental impacts between Inner Mongolia and Mongolia

Surface coal mining (SCM) poses a great threat to the environment. Previous studies have explored the speed and scale of SCM in the Mongolian Plateau, but landscape-based analysis is needed for creating actionable knowledge required for environmental policy-making. Thus, taking a landscape ecological approach, here we compared the spatiotemporal patterns and major environmental impacts of SCM between Inner Mongolia of China and Mongolia during 1975–2015 at multiple administrative levels. We found that the SCM area increased by nearly 40 times in Inner Mongolia and 11 times in Mongolia during the 40 years. The annual increase rate in terms of both area and number was greater in Inner Mongolia than in Mongolia during 1975–2010, but the order was reversed during 2010–2015. At the prefectural or aimag level, the SCM distribution exhibited considerable variations. In 2015, 44 % of the total SCM area was located in Baotou, Wuhai, and Ordos of Inner Mongolia and Ömnögovi of Mongolia in 2015. The spatiotemporal patterns of SCM were characterized by increases in patch size, shape complexity, clustering, and landscape fragmentation. We estimated that the surrounding ecosystems disturbed by mining were 14.72 times larger than the SCM sites themselves in Inner Mongolia and 21.10 times in Mongolia. More threatened species were potentially affected by SCM in Inner Mongolia than in Mongolia. The variations in the scope and speed of SCM between Inner Mongolia and Mongolia may be attributable to multiple factors, including the distribution of coal mines themselves, economic investments, and national and local policies. Our study provides scientific support for promoting China-Mongolia bilateral collaboration for curbing SCM expansion and mitigating its environmental impacts on the plateau.

Development of Best Practice Guideline for the management of hot holes in surface coal mines

Surface coal operations in which mining activities are conducted above old underground workings experience hot holes after drilling. In a coal mine, hot holes are defined as shot holes, which after being drilled have an in-hole ambient temperature of 40°C or above or show a temperature increase of 3°C or more during monitoring. Hot holes and other cavities, such as cracks, pose health and safety risks to workers, such as exposure to hot air and high concentrations of noxious gases released from these holes. In addition, workers may be exposed to premature detonation of explosives caused by in-hole temperature increases and chemical reactions. To this end, Coaltech Research Association commissioned a project to develop a Best Practice Guideline for the management of hot holes. This paper is a compilation of the activities conducted in the development of the Best Practice Guideline between 2021 and 2022. The activities included a review of standard operating procedures and hot-hole temperature-measuring and -monitoring devices, and the assessment of current hot-hole procedures at selected mines. The results indicated that management of hot holes requires a focus on pre-emptive risk assessment of mining blocks, identification of hot holes using the correct temperature-measuring devices, and continuous monitoring of hot holes from the time of drilling until just before blasting. Hot-hole management accessories, such as polyvinyl chloride sleeves, were found to be effective in insulating the hot-hole emulsion from the rock mass temperature, thus preventing the potential for premature detonation.

Assessing Land-Cover Change Trends, Patterns, and Transitions in Coalfield Counties of Eastern Kentucky, USA

Surface coal mining and reclamation have greatly reshaped eastern Kentucky’s landscape affecting its socioeconomic, environmental and climatic aspects. This study examined the land-cover changes, trends and patterns in Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry, and Pike counties from 2004 to 2019. Using a random forest classifier, land cover was categorized into seven major classes, i.e., water, barren land, developed land, forest, shrubland, herbaceous, and planted/cultivated, majorly based on Landsat images. The Kappa accuracy ranged from 75 to 89%. The results showed a notable increase in forest area from 5052 sq km to 5305 sq km accompanied by a substantial decrease in barren land from 179 sq km to 91 sq km from 2004 to 2019. These findings demonstrated that reclamation activities positively impacted the forest expansion and reduced the barren land of the study area. Key land-cover transitions included barren land to shrubland/herbaceous, forest to shrubland, and shrubland to forest, indicating vegetation growth from 2004 to 2019. An autocorrelation analysis indicated similar land-cover types clustered together, showing effective forest restoration efforts. As surface coal mining and reclamation significantly influenced the landscapes of the coalfield counties in eastern Kentucky, this study provides a holistic perspective for understanding the repercussions of these transformations, including their effects on humans, society, and environmental health.

Application of the VIKOR Method for Selecting the Purpose of Recultivated Terrain after the End of Coal Mining

Surface mining of coal has a negative impact on the environment that needs to be prevented, reduced, controlled, monitored by applying the management of technological processes of technical and biological recultivation after the end of exploitation works. The paper deals with the problem of multi-criteria decision-making in the process of selection of indicators that have an impact on the choice of purpose of recultivated terrain after the end of coal mining. The considered reclamation solutions represent possible alternatives. Degraded areas need to be returned to their original purpose, they should be in the function of environmental protection of the natural environment and settlements near this location. In addition, various criteria and sub-criteria that affect the choice of the most favourable solution were defined and analyzed. The final decision on land use after exploitation was made based on mathematical calculations using the multi-criteria VIKOR method.

Study on particle size and density segregation law in the separating process of poor quality coal with high gangue content under the action of composite force field

ABSTRACT Thin-seam mining frequently captures a significant proportion of gangue and interbedded coal in surface coal mines. Consequently, raw coal has a broad range of particle size distributions and a high percentage of components with intermediate densities, which are complex and challenging to separate. This study aims to determine the method of product division and the segregation law of particle size and density of raw coal during the separation process using a vibration and airflow composite force field. A difference in the particle size segregation of the coal particles was evident. Particle-size segregation primarily occurs in the separation area. Large-particle-size coal has a wide distribution range, spreading over the entire bed and fully utilizing the bed to achieve separation. The material becomes increasingly displaced into the separation area as its particle size decreases, thereby weakening the separation effect. Large coal particles can undergo density segregation in the vertical direction, with low-density material placed in the upper layer. This ensures that low-density material is incorporated into the refined coal product. Regardless of density, the coal tended to tilt more toward the bottom layer as the particle size decreased. This results in a poor density stratification effect with refined coal products mixed with gangue and an increase in the mismatch content. The extent of fine coal discharge was determined to be two-fifths of the entire length of the discharge side. This ensures that the majority of refined coal is recovered and that there is no excessive gangue mixing with the refined coal output. Achieving a 55.54% yield, refined coal lowers its ash content by 16%, increases its calorific value by 1400 kcal/kg, and effectively separates coal with a high gangue concentration.

Use of lidar for monitoring vegetation growth dynamics in reclaimed mine lands in Kentucky

Surface coal mining in the Appalachian region has led to a significant forest disturbance over time. Evaluating the effectiveness of current reclamation practices in promoting vegetation growth on reclaimed mine sites is a key to understanding how much vegetation has changed in those sites since reclamation. This study employed statewide airborne lidar data to assess changes in lidar vegetation structural metrics on reclaimed mine lands in the Lower Levisa Watershed of Eastern Kentucky between 2011 and 2019 and compare vegetation growth at various reclaimed sites reclaimed in different decades. Eighteen inactive surface mines were selected for the study and categorized into four groups based on the release of their reclamation bonds in different decades. Lidar point cloud data were processed in ArcGIS Pro using filtering and segmentation algorithms to calculate various vegetation attributes from the point clouds, including maximum vegetation height (Hmax), mean height (Hmean), standard deviation of height (HSD), canopy cover (CC), and height percentiles (10, 50 and 75), which were represented as lidar metrics. The process of generating the lidar metrics involved creating Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and Digital Surface Models (DSMs), calculating Canopy Height Models (CHMs), creating LAS height metrics and generating point statistics rasters to derive these metrics. Change maps for each metric were visually assessed over time, and circular plots with a radius of 12 m were established within each site for further statistical analysis. Significant changes in lidar vegetation metrics were observed between 2011 and 2019 with significant differences among sites reclaimed at different time periods. There was an overall increase in Hmean from 2011 to 2019, with values ranging from 2.4 to 3.8 m. Sites reclaimed in the 1980s experienced an average decrease in canopy cover of −0.5%, while those from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s demonstrated increases of 4.9%, 10.1%, and 18.1%, respectively, suggesting that canopy growth rates are higher in younger sites compared to older ones. Vertical variability of the vegetation also increased over time, as indicated by increasing HSD values. Utilizing statewide airborne lidar data allowed for a comprehensive and detailed assessment of vegetation dynamics on reclaimed mine lands. The findings of this study serve as a foundation for future research endeavors focused on vegetation recovery assessment and success in reclaimed mine lands using lidar data.

Dynamics of carbon sequestration in vegetation affected by large-scale surface coal mining and subsequent restoration

Surface coal development activities include mining and ecological restoration, which significantly impact regional carbon sinks. Quantifying the dynamic impacts on carbon sequestration in vegetation (VCS) during coal development activities has been challenging. Here, we provided a novel approach to assess the dynamics of VCS affected by large-scale surface coal mining and subsequent restoration. This approach effectively overcomes the limitations imposed by the lack of finer scale and long-time series data through scale transformation. We found that mining activities directly decreased VCS by 384.63 Gg CO2, while restoration activities directly increased 192.51 Gg CO2 between 2001 and 2022. As of 2022, the deficit in VCS at the mining areas still had 1966.7 Gg CO2. The study highlights that complete restoration requires compensating not only for the loss in the year of destruction but also for the ongoing accumulation of losses throughout the mining lifecycle. The findings deepen insights into the intricate relationship between coal resource development and ecological environmental protection.

Vegetation resilience assessment and its climatic driving factors: Evidence from surface coal mines in northern China

Vegetation resilience is a key concept for understanding ecosystem responses to disturbances and is essential for maintaining ecosystem sustainability. However, assessing vegetation resilience remains challenging, especially for areas with significant disturbances and ecological restoration, such as surface coal mine ecosystems. Vegetation resilience assessment requires a combination of disturbance magnitude, recovery magnitude, and recovery time. In this study, we propose a vegetation resilience assessment method by integrating disturbance magnitude, recovery magnitude and recovery time. Forty-six surface coal mines in northern China were analysed as the study areas. A geographical detector model was used to explore the influence of climatic factors on vegetation resilience. The results indicated that the vegetation resilience curves included three shapes, inverted U-shaped, S-shaped, and monotonically decreasing, and the different disturbance-recovery relationships of the curves indicated that natural and social factors jointly changed the ecological restoration process. The vegetation resilience of the 46 surface coal mines varies widely, ranging from 0.87 to 7.22, showing a spatial decreasing trend from east to west. The explanatory power of different climatic factors on vegetation resilience by indirectly affecting hydrothermal conditions varies, with the effect of atmospheric pressure being the most significant and the superposition of the two climatic factors enhancing the effect on vegetation resilience. This study enriches the understanding of vegetation resilience assessment and provides important information to guide the differentiation of ecological restoration and resource development of surface coal mines in different regions.

Probability distributions of geotechnical properties for heterogeneous lignite mine spoils

ABSTRACT During surface coal mining, large amounts of overburden waste materials, known as spoils, are excavated and dumped, creating massive heaps. The sustainable management of these areas is a global priority, but a comprehensive geotechnical characterization has not yet been achieved due to limited research on the spoils’ geotechnical properties. This study conducts an advanced statistical analysis of lignite mine spoil materials from a large heap in Greece to determine suitable probability distributions. Five distributions - normal, lognormal, Weibull (2 and 3 parameters), and Gamma - were evaluated, considering the high variability of spoil material properties. The lognormal and Weibull distributions were found to best fit most geotechnical parameters, except for cohesion, which showed an uncommon distribution. In some cases, the normal distribution can be used for a simplified analysis. The findings can guide the analysis of spoil materials, as advanced numerical and stochastic methods are essential for robust geotechnical design.

Research on chlorine salt antifreeze road dust suppressants for open-pit coal mines

In addressing the significant challenge of trucking road dust emanating from open-cast coal mines, the prevalent method of conventional water sprinkling for dust removal on transport roads has proven suboptimal. This inadequacy is attributed to the pronounced mobility of truck transport roads, substantial dust loads, and extensive open dust sources. Particularly in cold mining regions, the use of water in winter exacerbates the issue by causing icy road surfaces, thereby increasing the risk of truck skidding and overturning, posing a severe hazard to both mine safety and the well-being of truck drivers. A pragmatic imperative exists to devise a solution that effectively addresses both anti-freezing and dust suppression in open-pit coal mine roads, while minimizing corrosive impact. Against the backdrop of Hebei Open-pit Coal Mine in Huolin, Inner Mongolia, this study focuses on the development of a chloride salt antifreeze-type road dust inhibitor tailored for open-pit transportation roads. The proprietary anti-freezing dust suppressant achieves a freezing point as low as −36.4 °C, exhibiting corrosion efficiency merely at 56.5% of that of water. Notably, the effective dust suppression duration surpasses that of water by a factor of 150, resulting in a 53% reduction in dust suppression costs. This innovation is specifically applicable to high-cold and arid surface coal mines in northern regions and similar mining contexts. It offers technical support for the establishment of environmentally sustainable practices in surface coal mines, representing a pivotal step toward the realization of green mining initiatives.

Wetland Creation and Reforestation of Legacy Surface Mines in the Central Appalachian Region (USA): A Potential Climate-Adaptation Approach for Pond-Breeding Amphibians?

Habitat restoration and creation within human-altered landscapes can buffer the impacts of climate change on wildlife. The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) is a coal surface mine reclamation practice that enhances reforestation through soil decompaction and the planting of native trees. Recently, wetland creation has been coupled with FRA to increase habitat available for wildlife, including amphibians. Our objective was to evaluate the response of pond-breeding amphibians to the FRA by comparing species occupancy, richness, and abundance across two FRA age-classes (2–5-year and 8–11-year reclaimed forests), traditionally reclaimed sites that were left to naturally regenerate after mining, and in mature, unmined forests in the Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia, USA). We found that species richness and occupancy estimates did not differ across treatment types. Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and Eastern Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) had the greatest estimated abundances in wetlands in the older FRA treatment. Additionally, larger wetlands had greater abundances of Eastern Newts, Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), and Green Frogs (L. clamitans) compared to smaller wetlands. Our results suggest that wetland creation and reforestation increases the number of breeding sites and promotes microhabitat and microclimate conditions that likely maximize the resilience of pond-breeding amphibians to anticipated climate changes in the study area.

A multi-criteria decision framework to evaluate sustainable alternatives for repurposing of abandoned or closed surface coal mines

Surface coal mines, when abandoned or closed, pose significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Repurposing these sites is crucial for sustainable land use and responsible resource management. This study presents a comprehensive decision framework tailored to the Indian mining context, utilizing a hybrid approach combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) methodology. The proposed framework assesses and ranks alternative repurposing options by considering a multi-criteria evaluation, including ecological, economic, social, and regulatory factors. AHP is employed to determine the relative importance of these criteria, reflecting the unique priorities and perspectives of stakeholders involved in the repurposing process. TOPSIS then identifies the optimal alternatives based on their overall performance against the established criteria. This hybrid methodology contributes to informed decision-making in the sustainable repurposing of abandoned surface coal mines in India. It aids in identifying the most viable and environmentally responsible alternatives, promoting efficient land use and resource conservation while addressing the challenges associated with abandoned mine sites. The methodology’s applicability extends globally to industries facing similar repurposing challenges, facilitating the transition toward a more sustainable and responsible land reclamation and resource management approach. The methodology is implemented using real mine data and demonstrates the analysis for evaluation among multiple alternatives such as solar parks, fish farming, eco-resorts, forestry, and museums. In our study, eco-resorts show more promise based on the significant potential for local economic development, provision of local employment, long-term revenue generation, potential for upskilling local youth in management, gardening, construction, and animal husbandry, and serving as a site for exhibitions of various arts and crafts.

Quantifying the spatiotemporal patterns and environmental impacts of surface coal mining in the Xilingol Steppe, Inner Mongolia

Quantifying the spatiotemporal patterns and environmental impacts of surface coal mining in the Xilingol Steppe, Inner Mongolia

Response of ecosystem services and environmental dynamics in large open-pit coal mines: A case study in semi-arid areas

Surface coal mining in semi-arid regions has detrimental impacts on the structure and function of surface ecosystems, thereby impeding the attainment of regional sustainable development goals. Moreover, the impact of climate change on ecological restoration in semi-arid mining areas is an inevitable consideration. To elucidate the response of ecosystem services in mining areas to regional climate change, topography, soil, vegetation and socioeconomic development, this study selected six large-scale surface coal mines located in semi-arid regions of China as research objects. In this study, we aimed to assess the main ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and flow regulation) provided by these mines. In addition, we analysed the spatial and temporal evolution and interrelationships of these ecosystem services. Furthermore, we explored the underlying mechanisms between ecosystem services and environmental factors. The results showed the following: (1) Geospatially, there was a gradual decrease in carbon sequestration and flow regulation from northeast to southwest in the mining areas. However, the soil conservation exhibited an upward trend. Throughout the research period, the carbon sequestration change rate in the six mining areas displayed an initial downward and subsequent upward trend, the rate of soil conservation exhibited a gradual upward trend, and the flow regulation decline rate followed a downward trend. (2) Change rate of carbon sequestration and soil conservation in the six mining areas showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), with the strongest correlation observed in the Shengli Mining Area (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). (3) Ecosystem service changes in the mining areas were primarily driven by initial conditions (95.0%), followed by meteorological factors (4.2%). Three ecological restoration models were proposed for the different regions based on driver analyses. The findings of this study offer scientific evidence that can be used to inform ecological management, enhance ecological security, and promote regional sustainable development in mining areas.

Time series procession for monitoring land disturbance caused by surface coal mining in China

Surface mining has been subject to increased criticism and pressure due to its potential to cause environmental damage. China accounts for more than half of world coal consumption, and this continued demand for coal, combined with low costs, has accelerated surface coal mining worldwide. However, it isn't easy to understand the impact of surface mining in China. Therefore, combined with POI, the Exposed Coal Frequency Index (ECFI) was constructed without any mining information in China. A LandTrendr algorithm was used to identify past mining disturbances and reclamation events (1986–2021). While examining these events, surface destruction due to coal mining in China was revealed. Based on the results, (1) the detection accuracy of statistical surface mining sites by province reaches 91.8%, while the detection accuracy of disturbance and reclamation events exceeds 72.59 %. Also, by comparing the mine data, our results provide more accurate information regarding both time and spatial consistency. (2) 253.61 km2 of surface mining sites were identified in 14 provinces or autonomous regions during 1986–2021. Of these, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shanxi and Xinjiang ranked in the top four occupying 89.0% of the total mining site. (3) China has cumulatively disturbed 545.84 km2 and reclaimed 169.41 km2 including more comprehensive human activities. In the last 12 years, large-scale mining and reclamation have accounted for 51.63% and 75.17% of the cumulative area, respectively. (4) Generally, reclamation in China can be completed within four years. In contrast, reclamation time intervals and the proportion of reclamation varied widely between mining areas. Clearly, this study provides the most accurate data on surface coal mining disturbances in China, which will be beneficial for future studies in spatial geography related to mining. It also includes more policies and management creation for mines.

Using mining waste for CO2 sequestration: exploring opportunities through mineral carbonation, nature-based solutions, and CCUS

ABSTRACT Using mining waste for CO2 sequestration presents a promising solution for managing waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of established CO2 sequestration methods that can be applied to mining waste eligible for such application. Three techniques were considered: 1) passive mineral carbonation; 2) a nature-based solution (NBS); and 3) carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Passive mineral carbonation involves exposing mining waste rich in Ca and Mg silicates to atmospheric CO2. NBS explores the reclamation of disposal areas, estimating the carbon sequestration by topsoil, organic amendments, and revegetation. CCUS presents some storage possibilities with CO2 injection into waste piles and utilisation by incorporating waste and CO2 into cement products. Furthermore, an innovative proposal for injecting CO2 into surface and underground coal mining waste disposal areas was described as a potential action. The strategies presented in this article can be considered to offset CO2 emissions from mining projects while also contributing to waste management and more sustainable production.

Stream Chemistry and Forest Recovery Assessment and Prediction Modeling in Coal-Mine-Affected Watersheds in Kentucky, USA

Kentucky is one of the largest coal-producing states; surface coal mining has led to changes in natural land cover, soil loss, and water quality. This study explored relationships between actively mined and reclaimed areas, vegetation change, and water quality parameters. The study site evaluated 58 watersheds with Landsat-derived variables (reclamation age and percentage of mining, reclaimed forest, and reclaimed woods) as well as topographic variables (such as elevation, slope, drainage density, and infiltration). Water samples were collected in spring (n = 9), summer (n = 14), and fall (n = 58) 2017 to study changes in water quality variables (SO42−, alkalinity, conductivity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Al3+, and Fe2+, Fe3+) in response to changes in land cover. Pearson correlation analyses indicated that conductivity has strong to very strong relationships with water quality variables related to coal mining (except Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, elevation, slope, and drainage density) and land cover variables. In addition, separate regression analyses were performed, with conductivity values based on samples collected in the fall. First, conductivity responses to mining percentage, reclamation age and topographic variables were examined (adjusted R2 = 0.818, p &lt; 0.01). Next, vegetation cover change parameters were added to the same model, which yielded slightly improved R2 (adjusted R2 = 0.826, p &lt; 0.01). Finally, reclamation age and mining percentages were used to explain the quantity of reclaimed forested areas as a percentage of watersheds. The model was significant (p &lt; 0.01), with an adjusted R2 value of 0.641. Results suggest that the quantity (area as a percentage) of reclaimed forests may be a predictor of the mining percentage and reclamation age. This study indicated that conductivity is a predictable water quality indicator that is highly associated with Coal-Mine-Related Stream Chemistry in areas where agriculture and urban development are limited. Water quality is not suitable for various purposes due to the presence of contaminants, especially in mined sites. These findings may help the scientific community and key state and federal agencies improve their understanding of water quality attributes in watersheds affected by coal mining, as well as refine land reclamation practices more effectively while such practices are in action.

Instream barriers contribute to population isolation of a small‐bodied, benthic, headwater‐specialist fish (Percidae)

AbstractGenetic differentiation in aquatic systems is often driven by geographic distance (isolation by distance) due to the linear and hierarchical distribution of populations, but habitat fragmentation often exacerbates this effect by decreasing population connectivity, leading to isolation by resistance. Stronghold populations of the Kentucky Arrow Darter (Etheostoma spilotum) in the South Fork Kentucky River system within the Daniel Boone National Forest of eastern Kentucky, USA have a high population structure not explained by distance alone. Higher than expected levels of genetic differentiation among proximate populations were hypothesized to be driven by land‐use change, but this was not previously tested. Here we use a riverscape genetics approach to test for the effects of natural landscape features including slope, elevation and stream size, and anthropogenically altered habitat features, including specific conductance (conductivity), culverts and forest cover, on population connectivity and genetic diversity of E. spilotum. We found isolation of populations among all tributary systems and a strong, positive relationship between genetic and geographic distances as expected. However, high conductivity levels due to surface coal mining best explain the population structure observed. We also found signatures of low genetic diversity overall and indicators that culverts may limit upstream movements of E. spilotum. This study provides a novel fine‐scale view of the effects of instream and landscape features on connectivity among, and genetic diversity within populations of an imperilled, small‐bodied, benthic fish.

Discomfort survey of dumper operators exposed to whole-body vibration in opencast coal mines

Exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) can lead to pain and discomfort of the heavy earthmoving machinery operators. In this paper, WBV measurement of 110 dumper operators has been conducted in three opencast coal mines, followed by a discomfort survey. Vibration measurement revealed that the mean frequency-weighted daily rms acceleration, A(8), for the operators was 0.87 m s−2. The discomfort survey was conducted to determine whether body regions of discomfort relate to their kinds of task performed by the dumper operators and also to prioritize areas for ergonomic intervention. Overall discomfort was evaluated corresponding to five regions of human body in the present survey. The results of the survey revealed that maximum operators had discomfort in their lower back region (65%) followed by leg region (53%). The industrial application of discomfort analysis is to identify the human body regions susceptible to vibration hazards. The discomfort indices are also correlated with vibration magnitude and some of the contributing factors of WBV for better understanding the vibration risks faced by the dumper operators for effectively managing the impacts of vibration in surface coal mines.