The Challenges of Open-Pit Mining in the Vicinity of the Salt Dome (Be?chatów Lignite Deposit, Poland)

Marek Cała, Katarzyna Cyran, Joanna Jakóbczyk and Michał Kowalski
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Marek Cała: Faculty of Mining and Geoengineering, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland
Katarzyna Cyran: Faculty of Mining and Geoengineering, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland
Joanna Jakóbczyk: Faculty of Mining and Geoengineering, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland
Michał Kowalski: Faculty of Mining and Geoengineering, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-23

Abstract: The extraction of the Be?chatów lignite deposit located in the vicinity of the D?bina salt dome requires careful planning that considers the influence of mining projects on the slope and salt dome stability conditions. The instability problem is directly related to horizontal and vertical displacement, as well as the complex geological and mining conditions. These conditions are very unique with regard to the co-occurrence of the salt dome and lignite deposits in the same area, as well as the large scale of the pit wall slope. Thus, predicting rock mass behavior and ensuring the safety of mining operations are important issues. The presented analysis focused on the influence of long-term lignite extraction on the western pit wall slope of the Be?chatów field and the salt dome’s stability conditions. This study offers a comprehensive approach to a complex geotechnical problem defined by large-scale, complex geometry, and geological conditions. The rock mass behavior and stress conditions are simulated in numerical modelling. The results of the presented analysis will be useful not only for present mining activities but also for future developments related to post-mining and recultivation plans.

Keywords: open-pit lignite mine; salt dome; stability analysis; numerical modeling; lignite extraction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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