Environmental protection problems in the areas of former mines with emphasis on sinkholes: selected examples

Abstract

AbstractThe paper concerns an analysis of causes of sinkholes in the area of the former mines located in the Upper Silesia (Poland). The conducted statistical analysis allowed to determine the share of some types of shallow excavations in the formation of sinkholes. Analyses covered the period from 1966 to 2003 and records of more than 300 sinkholes. The research team determined—on the basis of the considerations—that the factor that poses the greatest threat and contributes to the formation of sinkholes during the operation of the mine is shallow goafs. Other such factors are dog headings that have not been decommissioned yet. It can be assumed that they will also generate a significant number of collapses in mines that are no longer in operation. The transition into the state of cave-in of old and shallow dog headings is often caused by loss of load-bearing capacity of a wooden roof support which biodegrades. Collapses linked to these excavations may be predicted with the use of tools such as the method presented in the paper.