Post-Mining Multi-Hazard Assessment for Sustainable Development
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
A very interesting paper on threats in post-mining areas. A methodology was proposed that takes into account the interaction between hazards occurring in the areas of closed mines
I believe that the conclusions should be extended. 13 lines of summary is not enough for such a long article.
Author Response
Rev. 1:
A very interesting paper on threats in post-mining areas. A methodology was proposed that takes into account the interaction between hazards occurring in the areas of closed mines
I believe that the conclusions should be extended. 13 lines of summary is not enough for such a long article.
Response: Thank you for your comment, we improved the conclusion based on your comment and the comments of the two reviewers.
Reviewer 2 Report
The work is devoted to the analysis of various factors, both natural and man-made, to develop a comprehensive methodology for assessing the occurrence of emergencies in mine workings.
Liquidated, mothballed (isolated), abandoned, unexploited inclined workings of closed coal mines pose a great danger to the earth's surface and human life, which has been repeatedly noted in the works of various scientists. The danger lies in the unpredictable acceleration of the process of displacement of rocks over decommissioned and not properly liquidated mine workings of small inception and voids preserved in them due to their considerable length. Inclined opening mine workings during the entire life of a coal mine are the main transport routes connecting the earth's surface with small mining depths, and then with large ones. Due to the significant service life, these workings can be repeatedly repaired by reinforcing, often in separate sections, with the replacement of one type of lining with another, with the release of collapsed rocks, leaving behind the lining dome-shaped falls and voids, thereby violating the element of interaction of the "massif - lining" system. Various studies have established that each type of old mine workings is characterized by certain types and forms of damage on the earth's surface, predetermined by the type, purpose, span of the mine working, the fastening used, the mining system, the conditions of occurrence and maintenance, the operating time from the moment of carrying out, the method of repayment and strength. rocks of the underworked stratum.
The results obtained in the work will be useful for specialists in the field of mining.
However, there are the following issues that should be clarified:
1. The introduction should provide a more detailed analysis of emerging emergencies in mining conditions, and at the same time explain ways to eliminate various negative factors, in particular during the comprehensive disposal of tailings, which can be seen from the analysis of a number of works, such as: Golik V.I., Klyuev R.V., Martyushev N.V., Brigida V., Efremenkov E.A., Sorokova S.N., Mengxu Q. Tailings utilization and zinc extraction based on mechanochemical activation. Materials 2023, 16, 726. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020726.
2. Section 2.1 should have been more clear on the interactions between hazards and risks in mine workings. It is necessary to remove global information from the text (floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions), leaving more specific information. Based on this, and formulate more specifically the purpose of the work.
3. In the text of the article there is no reference to figure 1, there is only a reference to the literary source 21. If figure 1 is completely taken from this source, it should either be removed or added that new has been added to it.
4. Interesting and important data are presented in Figure 2, but there is no analysis of it; one could dwell in more detail on the research method used.
5. It is necessary for the hazards under consideration that occur in the conditions of mining regions (Table 1) to provide specific numerical data and conduct a comprehensive mathematical analysis with obtaining regression equations depending on a large number of influencing factors. Is it possible to use cluster analysis and the method of expert assessments to identify the most significant factors?
6. Conclusions should include concrete practical results. Now they are not fully represented in the work.
7. It is not entirely clear from the article whether the results obtained by the authors have been implemented on specific objects? Are there relevant patents for the results obtained?
8. It is necessary to dwell on the prospects for further comprehensive research on the subject under consideration.
Author Response
- The introduction should provide a more detailed analysis of emerging emergencies in mining conditions, and at the same time explain ways to eliminate various negative factors, in particular during the comprehensive disposal of tailings, which can be seen from the analysis of a number of works, such as: Golik V.I., Klyuev R.V., Martyushev N.V., Brigida V., Efremenkov E.A., Sorokova S.N., Mengxu Q. Tailings utilization and zinc extraction based on mechanochemical activation. Materials 2023, 16, 726. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020726.
Response 1: Thank you for your comment, based on your comment, we improved the introduction to better precise the context of the post-mining in Europe. Additionally, we discussed the problem of the tailing dams, presenting analysis of the failure of the collapse of tailing dame, page 19, and we added also an reference related to this topic.
- Section 2.1 should have been more clear on the interactions between hazards and risks in mine workings. It is necessary to remove global information from the text (floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions), leaving more specific information. Based on this, and formulate more specifically the purpose of the work.
Response 2: Thank you for the comment, based on your comment, we improved this section by adding the following text:
In the mining context, closed mining areas are generally affected by several mining or/and natural hazards. In this context, a multi-hazard assessment should be adopted as risk assessment method. The available data for the different single hazards should be analysed; compared, rankings and aggregations by experts to identify the potential interactions and the level of the interactions.
Also, in the See 3.1, we discussed the multi-hazard mine areas. Hopefully, that can answer the comment of the reviewer.
- In the text of the article there is no reference to figure 1, there is only a reference to the literary source 21. If figure 1 is completely taken from this source, it should either be removed or added that new has been added to it.
Response 3: Done, we added the reference of the Figure 1.
- Interesting and important data are presented in Figure 2, but there is no analysis of it; one could dwell in more detail on the research method used.
Response 4: Thank you for this comment, we added a description and analysis of the Figure 2. Please see page 5 of the revised version of the manuscript.
- It is necessary for the hazards under consideration that occur in the conditions of mining regions (Table 1) to provide specific numerical data and conduct a comprehensive mathematical analysis with obtaining regression equations depending on a large number of influencing factors. Is it possible to use cluster analysis and the method of expert assessments to identify the most significant factors?
Response 5: Thank you for the comment. This is a good idea, but the paper is very long, we plane to do that in a next step.
- Conclusions should include concrete practical results. Now they are not fully represented in the work.
Response 6: The conclusion was completely improved based on the suggestion of the reviewers. Please see the revised conclusion.
- It is not entirely clear from the article whether the results obtained by the authors have been implemented on specific objects? Are there relevant patents for the results obtained?
Response 7: Yes, the methodology was applied on a case study, from French coalmine, see chapiter 3 of the manuscript. Additional wok will be done to apply it on different case studies from European countries. However the application of the methodology needs a great effort: first to identify and analysis the singles hazards and then their potential interactions.
- It is necessary to dwell on the prospects for further comprehensive research on the subject under consideration.
Response 8: Thank you for the comment. We added to the conclusion perspectives for futures research and applications. The revised conclusion mentioned this excellent suggestion. Clearly, the community needs additional effort for developing the multi-hazard, multi-risk assessment for post-mining and regions.
Reviewer 3 Report
The document describes the importance of post-mining risk assessment and management in Europe, where most mines have been closed due to various economic, environmental, and societal factors. The closed mining sites pose various hazards, such as changes in water flow and surface instabilities, which can cause damage to people or infrastructure. The document highlights the need for better tools to assess the multiplicity of hazards and their interactions in land use planning and rehabilitation of former mining sites. The paper presents a methodology that considers the interactions between different hazards, including mining, natural, and technological, and evaluates the type and intensity of interactions between them. The methodology was applied to a coal mine to demonstrate its complexity and utility in improving risk management in closed mines.
Overall, the document effectively conveys the importance of post-mining risk assessment and the challenges involved in assessing and managing hazards in closed mining sites. The language used is technical but clear, and the structure of the document is easy to follow. However, it would be helpful to provide more details about the methodology used, such as the specific steps involved in the assessment and the criteria used to evaluate interactions between hazards. Additionally, it could be useful to provide more examples of the potential impacts of hazards in closed mining sites, such as how changes in water flow can affect local ecosystems or how surface instabilities can impact nearby communities. Including such details would make the document more informative and engaging for a wider audience.
1. Provide more background information: The document could benefit from providing more context on the factors that led to the closure of most mines in Europe. This could help readers understand the significance of the issue and why post-mining risk assessment and management is crucial.
2. Clarify the methodology used: While the document provides a general overview of the methodology used to assess the interactions between hazards, it could be helpful to provide more specific details. For example, what were the specific steps involved in the assessment process? What criteria were used to evaluate the type and intensity of interactions between hazards?
3. Use more concrete examples: The document mentions the potential hazards and impacts of closed mining sites, but it could be more effective to provide specific, concrete examples. For instance, you could describe how changes in water flow have affected a particular region, or how surface instabilities have impacted a nearby town.
4. Consider the audience: The document is technical in nature, which could make it difficult for some readers to follow. Consider explaining key terms or concepts in more detail or using analogies to make the material more accessible.
5. Conclude with a clear call-to-action: The document effectively describes the importance of post-mining risk assessment and management, but it could benefit from a clear call-to-action. What steps can policymakers or other stakeholders take to address the issue? What are the potential consequences of inaction? Providing a clear call-to-action can motivate readers to act on the issue.
Author Response
REV 3 :
- Provide more background information: The document could benefit from providing more context on the factors that led to the closure of most mines in Europe. This could help readers understand the significance of the issue and why post-mining risk assessment and management is crucial.
Response 1: Thank you for the comments, we improved the introduction to highlight the context of abandoned mines in Europe, hopefully that can answer the comment of the reviewer.
- Clarify the methodology used: While the document provides a general overview of the methodology used to assess the interactions between hazards, it could be helpful to provide more specific details. For example, what were the specific steps involved in the assessment process? What criteria were used to evaluate the type and intensity of interactions between hazards?
Response 2: Thank you for this comment. The methodology was revised and improved, the three steps of the methodology are described more in details giving the approaches and the tools used for assessing the multi-hazard in the context of the post-mining, this revision is the important revision of the paper. Thank you for that.
- Use more concrete examples: The document mentions the potential hazards and impacts of closed mining sites, but it could be more effective to provide specific, concrete examples. For instance, you could describe how changes in water flow have affected a particular region, or how surface instabilities have impacted a nearby town.
Response 3: Thank you for this comment. We gave several real case studies and the paper already mentioned the potential interaction configurations.
- Consider the audience: The document is technical in nature, which could make it difficult for some readers to follow. Consider explaining key terms or concepts in more detail or using analogies to make the material more accessible.
Response 4: Thank you for this comment. We tried to explain the maximum of specific term in the revised version. We are open to do better if the reviewer can give us more terms need additional effort.
- Conclude with a clear call-to-action: The document effectively describes the importance of post-mining risk assessment and management, but it could benefit from a clear call-to-action. What steps can policymakers or other stakeholders take to address the issue? What are the potential consequences of inaction? Providing a clear call-to-action can motivate readers to act on the issue.
Response 5: Thank you for this comment. We added in the conclusion the following text:
The multi-hazard assessment presents a real advantage for mining regions. However, the policymakers and stakeholders should create a collage of experts capable to assess the interaction of hazards. The potential consequences of assessing each single hazard separately can increase the cost of the mitigation of hazards, and in specific cases creating the catastrophic scenario with severe social and economic consequences
Additionally, we improved the conclusion of the paper.
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
In general, in my opinion, the work can be published in the journal.
Best regards, Roman Klyuev.
Author Response
RAS
