Ecological aspects of choosing a recultivation scenario in mineral mining

The use of land resources in the production cycle of a mine is inevitably accompanied with land disturbance and its obligatory restoration after cessation of mining operations. Selection of reclamation activities is based on the peculiarities of land disturbance and on the ecological and economic feasibility of restoration of lands up to their usability in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents. The ecological and economic analysis of Gorlovka I anthracite deposit was carried out using the methods of field and laboratory research. The scope of the analyses embraced geological structure, self-restoring capacity of nature, social needs in the locality and some reclamation scenarios. The most territory of Gorlovka 1 field represents the manmade post-mining terrain. The highest elevations of +257.0 m (abs.) are recorded at overburden dumps overgrown with weeds, birch and pine growth. The alternative reclamation options considered show that least ecological impact is achievable in a scenario which ensures: a) the use of the vegetation self-recovery mechanism; b) filling the open pit with water from underground and surface springs to create a recreation and fishing area for the surrounding settlements. A feature of the considered variant of the open pit void flooding in Gorlovsky 1 field is the diversion of a part of the river to the pit void. Based on the implemented research and the comparative analysis of the reclamation alternatives based on the cost minimization criterion, the economically feasible and environmentally acceptable scenario of restoring the natural ecosystems disturbed by mining operations is justified. The economic preference of the reclamation scenario in water management is shown.

Kornilkov S. V., Antoninova N. Yu., Shubina L. A., Slavikovskaya Yu. O. Ecological aspects of choosing a recultivation scenario in mineral mining. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(5—2):218—230. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_52_0_218.

Kornilkov S. V., Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Chief Researcher
Antoninova N. Yu., Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of the Mining Ecology Laboratory, geoeco@ igduran.ru;
Shubina L. A., Researcher at the Mining Ecology Laboratory;
Slavikovskaya Yu. O., Cand. Sci. (Economic), Senior Researcher at the Mining Ecology Laboratory, natal78@list.ru;
Institute of Mining Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia.

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