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Selected Papers from the 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2016) | Viewed by 29973

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Prof. Dr. Ivica Ristović

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Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
Interests: mining; mechanization; environment; secondary raw materials; treatment and recycling of industrial and mining wastes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection will be held on June 2015 in Vrdnik, organized by the Faculty of Mining and Geology in Belgrade—Center for Environmental Engineering.
Previous conferences were very successful, and scientist and companies from many countries gathered to exchange information and research results. The objective of this conference is to bring together engineers, scientists, and managers working in the mining industry, research organizations, and government organizations, on development and application of best practice in the mining industry with respect to environment protection.
The attendance of representatives from almost all Serbian mines is expected, as well as a significant participation of professionals from mines, institutes, and universities from Europe, Russia, Asia, Canada, and America.
The framework of the conference offers wide possibilities for program presentations: advertising in the Conference Proceedings, exhibitions in premises available at the conference, presentations displayed on illustration boards or videotapes, oral presentation, etc.

Prof. Dr. Ivica Ristović
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Sustainable development in mining industry
Surface mining and Environmental protection
Underground mining and Environmental protection
Clean coal technology
Clean energy
BAT technologies in mining industry
Mine closure
Air pollution
Soil contamination, remediation and recultivation
Mining water and waste water management
Environmental impact assessment
Life cycle assessment
Environmental management system
Environmental policies
Public health and the environment
Ecology and ecosystem management
Environmental aspects of the exploitation and usage of energy resources
Environmental protection in field of exploitation, preparation and transportation of oil and gas
Carbon capture and storage
Emission markets (ETS, carbon, GHG, SOx)
Natural renewable resources
Biomass

Published Papers (6 papers)

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2035 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Project Management Process on Environmental Management System Improvement in Mining-Energy Complexes

by Jelena Malenović Nikolić, Dejan Vasović, Ivana Filipović, Stevan Mušicki and Ivica Ristović

Energies 2016, 9(12), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9121071 - 16 Dec 2016

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4949

Abstract

Aims and background: Mining and energy complexes in Serbia are recognized as a major source of a large number of pollutants. Serbia’s environmental performance reports clearly indicate that large mining and energy complexes are the dominant source of air pollution. It is difficult to determine which of them remarkably threaten the quality of the environment, as all the basic elements of the environment (air, water, and soil) are threatened, not just one. Mining and energy complexes significantly reduce the quality of the immediate environment, as the distance areas throughout water and air pollution propagation. Additional motivation for this study lies in the fact that large mining and energy complexes are particularly interesting because they are located in the immediate vicinity or large rivers (mostly the Danube), which are protected in many national and international legislation acts (particularly the Danube). The basis for the preservation of environmental quality is an effective environmental management system (EMS) in mining and energy complexes. The aim of this study is to promote and elaborate the possibility for improving the mining and energy complex environmental protection/management system by applying the basic principles of sustainable development. Methodology: Project management methodology is selected as a tool. Project management is based on the application of a network planning technique (Critical Path Method), because of its suitability for representing the logical structure of environmental protection system. The survey was conducted in the area of the city of Kostolac. The examined area included mining and energy complexes in Kostolac, which incorporate three surface mines (Ćirikovac, Klenovik, and Drmno) and two thermal power stations (TE “Kostolac A” (100 MW) and TE “Kostolac B” (2 × 348.5 MW)). The PSR model (Pressures, State, Response) was used for the organization of the interactions within “society–environment” system as the basis for indicator selection. Results: Procedures to identify and determine the significance of the environmental aspects should be established by executive staff in mining and energy plants and complexes. Identification of environmental aspects is the first part of the planning system of environmental management and the activities related to them. The accomplishment of critical path activities represents the basis for improving the environmental protection system in mining and energy complexes. Discussion: Application of sustainable development principles depends on the country’s energy potential and the application of the adopted environmental policy regarding mining and energy complexes. Strict enforcement of existing laws and regulations presents an opportunity to rectify many shortcomings while providing economic benefits, restoring the usable value of ravaged land, and preserving air and water quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection)

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1663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of a Method for Intelligent Multi-Criteria Analysis of the Environmental Impact of Tailing Ponds in Northern Kosovo and Metohija

by Gordana Milentijević, Blagoje Nedeljković, Milena Lekić, Zoran Nikić, Ivica Ristović and Jelena Djokić

Energies 2016, 9(11), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9110935 - 10 Nov 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5002

Abstract

The technological process of exploitation of mineral resources and processing of mined ores to cater to the market results, among other things, in a large amount of tailings deposed on tailing ponds. Because of the chemical composition of the material, the increasing amount of waste, and the mismanagement of recovery and reclamation of ponds, these ponds have become a significant element of negative impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Economics was behind the discharging of this material, resulting in tailing ponds created in inappropriate areas. There is an ongoing process of depositing tailings on old tailing ponds, although no special attention has been paid to the subsequent effect on the environment. Application of intelligent multi-criteria analysis AHP and PROMETHEE has been performed in this paper for the purpose of ranking the degree of negative impact on the environment of tailing ponds. Analysis is performed for five tailing ponds of MMCC (Mining Metallurgy Chemical Combine) “Trepča”, whereby two of the ponds are active and three inactive. The ponds are in relatively close proximity to the municipalities of Zvečan and Kosovska Mitrovica, to the north of Kosovo and Metohija, Republic of Serbia. In order to achieve the most objective results, the AHP and PROMETHEE methods were applied. By using these methods for calculations, the following ranking for the flotation tailing waste deposits was obtained, regarding their environmental impact: Žitkovac, Tvrđanski Do, Bostanište, Gornje Polje and Žarkov Potok. This result can contribute to the decision-making process of a prioritizing strategy for rehabilitation and remediation of these five flotation tailings. The analysis illustrates that application of intelligent multi-criteria analysis is a useful environmental management tool to be included in the decision-making process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection)

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13602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Development of Dewatering Predictions of the Velenje Coalmine

by Željko Vukelić, Evgen Dervarič, Jurij Šporin and Goran Vižintin

Energies 2016, 9(9), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9090702 - 31 Aug 2016

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4186

Abstract

The complex hydro-geological situation, particularly in terms of groundwater, has been a constant threat to the mining carried out at the Velenje colliery since its inception. Of particular interest to the authors are the difficulties presented to the colliery by the adjacent sand aquifers, as the water pressure within these sands directly impacts mining safety, and the aquifers themselves are most directly affected by dewatering. In order to monitor water levels and estimate dewatering at the Velenje wells, multi-layered modelling using 3D Finite Difference Method (FDM) has already been carried out. However, FDM is not optimal due to its greater dependence on cell size than on water flow. In 2017 in Velenje, a series of wells will be terminated as a result of mining and mining-induced subsidence, leading to dewatering and danger of flooding. As part of a plan to address this by replacing dewatering structures, a series of drive-in filters will be implemented around the entry and exit point tunnels of a longwall face. Because FDM seems to be inadequate for purposes of optimising this process, the Finite Elements Method (FEM) was applied in this case. Based on such an application of FEM, a prediction of the optimisation of drive-in filters was carried out by the authors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection)

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2064 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Some Models for Determination of Parameters of the Soil Oscillation Law during Blasting Operations

by Suzana Lutovac, Dragan Medenica, Branko Gluščević, Rade Tokalić and Čedomir Beljić

Energies 2016, 9(8), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9080617 - 04 Aug 2016

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3892

Abstract

In order to evaluate and control the seismic effect of blasting, as well as its planning, it is required to determine the soil oscillation law, with the strike/mining facilities to be protected. One of the most commonly used equations is that of M.A. Sadovskii, defining the law of alteration in the oscillation velocity of the soil depending on distance, the explosive amount, and conditions of blasting and geologic characteristics of the soil; all of this being determined on the basis of test blasting for the specific work environment. In the Sadovskii equation two parameters, K and n appear and they are conditioned both by rock mass characteristics and blasting conditions. The practical part of this study includes experimental investigations performed in the Veliki Krivelj Open Pit in the Bor District located in Eastern Serbia and investigations carried out during mass mining in the Kovilovača Open Pit near Despotovac, Eastern Serbia. Thus this paper offers several modes for determination of parameters K and n in the Sadovskii equation. To determine the parameters in the Sadovskii formula, in addition to the usual least square method, two more new models were applied. In the models the parameters K and n were determined by applying the quotient of the relative growth of oscillation velocities and reduced distances for Model 2. The link between the parameters K and n is determined by applying the trapezoidal formula for finding the value of definite integral for Model 3. In doing so, it was noted that all three models can be used to calculate the oscillation velocity of the rock mass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection)

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4001 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A WebGIS Decision Support System for Management of Abandoned Mines

by Ranka Stanković, Nikola Vulović, Nikola Lilić, Ivan Obradović, Radule Tošović and Milica Pešić-Georgiadis

Energies 2016, 9(7), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9070567 - 21 Jul 2016

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5627

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a WebGIS application aimed at providing safe and reliable data needed for reclamation of abandoned mines in national parks and other protected areas in Vojvodina in compliance with existing legal regulations. The geodatabase model for this application has been developed using UML and the CASE tool Microsoft Visio featuring an interface with ArcGIS. The WebGIS application was developed using GeoServer, an open source tool in the Java programming language, with integrated PostgreSQL DB and the possibility of generating and publishing WMS, WFS and KML services. The WebGIS application is publicly available, based on an appropriate central database, which for the first time encompasses all available data on abandoned mines in Vojvodina, and as such may serve as a model for similar databases on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection)

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15678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Coal Burst Source Locations in the Velenje Colliery

by Goran Vižintin, Maja Kocjančič and Milivoj Vulić

Energies 2016, 9(7), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9070507 - 30 Jun 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5394

Abstract

The Velenje coal mine (VCM) is situated on the largest Slovenian coal deposit and in one of the thickest layers of coal known in the world. The thickness of the coal layer causes problems for the efficiency of extraction, since the majority of mining operations is within the coal layer. The selected longwall coal mining method with specific geometry, increasing depth of excavations, changes in stress state and naturally given geomechanical properties of rocks induce seismic events. Induced seismic events can be caused by caving processes, blasting or bursts of coal or the surrounding rock. For 2.5D visualization, data of excavations, ash content and calorific value of coal samples, hanging wall and footwall occurrence, subsidence of the surface and coal burst source locations were collected. Data and interpolation methods available in software package Surfer^®12 were statistically analyzed and a Kriging (KRG) interpolation method was chosen. As a result 2.5D visualizations of coal bursts source locations with geomechanical properties of coal samples taken at different depth in the coal seam in the VCM were made with data-visualization packages Surfer^®12 and Voxler^®3. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 5th International Symposium on Mining and Environmental Protection)

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