Applied sciences

Archives of Mining Sciences

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Archives of Mining Sciences | 2025 | vol. 70 | No 3

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Abstract

The stability of the slope is closely related to the safety of mining operations, rational excavation planning, and the optimal utilization of the deposit. The stability of an open-pit mine is controlled by both geotechnical and geological factors. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the influence of complex geological conditions like karst, tectonics, and lithology on the stability of the northern slope of the Western Bielawy limestone open-pit mine in central Poland. The site, located within the Barcin-Piechcin-Pakość limestone deposit, exhibits complex lithological variability, karst features, and tectonic disturbances. An integrated approach, combining laboratory testing, detailed rock mass characterization, and numerical modelling, was employed to assess slope stability. A 3D numerical model of the northern slope was used to evaluate stability under the planned excavation geometry. Numerical simulations, conducted with FLAC 3D software, employed the Modified Shear Strength Reduction Method. The results showed that the initially planned slope geometry yielded a safety factor below acceptable thresholds due to weak, fractured claystones and weathered limestones. By modifying bench widths and reducing the slope angle, the safety factor was improved to meet the minimum required value of 1.30. The study demonstrates the necessity of integrating geological, geotechnical, and numerical methods for reliable slope stability assessments. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing excavation designs in carbonate formations affected by tectonic and weathering processes.
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Authors and Affiliations

Katarzyna Cyran
1
ORCID: ORCID
Michał Kowalski
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, al. Adama Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
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Abstract

The primary means of rail transport in inclined workings up to 45° are typically single- or double-drum rope winches. These winches are part of a transport system consisting of the winch itself, a rope with a diameter d and length Ll, a track system, and a return drum with a rope tensioning mechanism. A fundamental challenge in employing winches in a given working is accounting for their operational conditions, which include the route length Lu, its inclination αu, and the value of the hauled mass (weight) Gm, given a specified load transport velocity vpł. These factors influence the drive load parameters, such as the winding rope force FC, unwinding rope force FS, and drive motor power Np. Manufacturers of these devices provide their structural (Lumax), kinematic (vpj), and energy-related (Np) parameters. However, it is the responsibility of the prospective user to assess the suitability of a specific winch for the conditions present in their transport excavation. To address this need, an analytical model, algorithm, and computer program have been developed to dynamically determine the required parameters while considering the winch’s operating conditions.
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Authors and Affiliations

Krzysztof Krauze
1
ORCID: ORCID
Kamil Mucha
1
ORCID: ORCID
Tomasz Wydro
1
ORCID: ORCID
Ryszard Klempka
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Krakow, al. Mickiewicza30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
  2. Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Automatics, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering, AGH University of Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
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Abstract

In the mining environment of coal seams, in order to accurately quantify the gas sources in the goaf of the protective layer working face and effectively implement gas extraction and control, this paper conducts experiments on gas source identification in the goaf in the Pingdingshan mining area. By collecting desorbed gas samples from the parent coal seam, a detailed analysis of the gas components (including methane, ethane, carbon dioxide) as well as the values and distribution characteristics of stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes was conducted. Based on these data, we established a calculation model for gas source identification in the goaf based on stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes and component averages, achieving a quantitative calculation of gas sources from various coal seams as the goaf advances, and implementing depressurization gas extraction techniques for coal seams at a greater distance upward. The results show significant differences in the stable carbon and hydrogen isotopes of desorbed gases from the three coal seams, although the overall trend is relatively consistent. As the burial depth of the coal seam increases, the carbon isotope values of methane, ethane, and carbon dioxide, as well as the hydrogen isotope values of methane, all show a trend of becoming heavier. In addition, the main source of gas in the goaf of the protective layer comes from the downward adjacent coal seam, accounting for 81% of the total source, while the average contribution from the same coal seam is 12%, and the contribution from distant upward coal seams is 7%. By implementing depressurization gas extraction techniques for distant upward coal seams, we also identified the optimal window period for depressurization extraction in the C1 coal seam to be between 85 and 100 days.
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Authors and Affiliations

Zhiheng Chen
1
ORCID: ORCID
Junhua Xue
1
ORCID: ORCID
Jian Xiao
1
ORCID: ORCID
Renhui Cheng
1
ORCID: ORCID
Tongshuang Liu
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Xi’an University of Science and Technology, China
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Abstract

In mines, providing proper ventilation during emergencies is a key aspect of ensuring safety and protecting human lives. In the case of indirect intervention by taking extreme measures (the closure of the entire mine using fire covers), it is necessary to ensure an emergency passage of miners to the surface providing a sufficient amount of mine air for them. The speed of the air must not exceed the limit for the safe passage of people, and must not cause unstable fan operation. The modelling of this problem in this case is carried out on a simplified ventilation network, in which two interconnected pits at a depth of 1000 m are displayed. The input data and limit values correspond to the valid legislation of the Czech Republic, but the resulting proposed methodology is universal and applicable to any mine or underground space that is artificially ventilated, and the parameters of the ventilation network are known. The issue of safety is always the main and key element of underground mining or underground work, and this article provides a model example of how to approach it even in the most difficult situations.
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Authors and Affiliations

Pavel Zapletal
1
ORCID: ORCID
Jaroslava Koudelková
1
ORCID: ORCID
Vítězslav Urbanec
2
ORCID: ORCID
Martin Štemberka
2
ORCID: ORCID
Grzegorz Pach
3
ORCID: ORCID
Zenon Różański
3
ORCID: ORCID
Adam Niewiadomski
3
ORCID: ORCID

  1. VŠB–Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Mining and Geology, Czech Republic
  2. Czech Mining Authority, Prague, Czech Republic
  3. Silesian University of Technology, 2A Akademicka Str., 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
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Abstract

The key to safe and efficient mining of pseudo-inclined working face of steeply dipping coal seam is the stability control of the ‘support–surrounding rock’ system. Based on the comprehensive determination of the load characteristics of the support in the working face, the overall stability and internal component load characteristics of the parallelogram hydraulic support under the influence of different factors are analyzed. The results show that: (1) The working resistance of the column gradually decreases with the increase of the angle of seam; the working resistance of the balance jack, and the force of the front and back link all increase with the increase of the angle of seam. (2) The working resistance of the column and the working resistance of the balance jack increase, and the inclined and strike components of the constraint force of the hinge point of the top beam–shield beam change greatly. The top beam of the support is affected by the eccentric load, which affects the stability of the support and is prone to falling and sliding. (3) The parallelogram support also reaches the maximum stress at the connection between the column and the top beam, and the stress of the shield beam is relatively small.
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Authors and Affiliations

Tong Wang
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
Ke Yang
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
Yongping Wu
3
ORCID: ORCID
Panshi Xie
4
Xiaolou Chi
1 2

  1. Anhui University of Science and Technology, School of Mining Engineering, Huainan, 232001, China
  2. Anhui University of Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Mine Response and Disaster Prevention and Control in Deep Coal Mines, Huainan, 232001, China
  3. Xi’an University of Science and Technology, School of Energy Engineering, Xi’an 710054, China
  4. Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Western Mine Exploitation and Hazard Prevention, Ministry of Education, Xi’an 710054, China
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Abstract

Mining provides essential raw materials for various sectors but carries significant risks due to hazardous processes. Taking valuable minerals or other geological materials out of the earth is known as mining. Resources like coal and metals, placer, underground, and surface mining are essential, but they also have negative environmental effects, such as air pollution from blasting and water pollution. Air noise, frequently caused by industrial operations like mining and construction, can harm wildlife and human health. Transportation, equipment, and blasting activities are examples of sources. To reduce the negative effects of high noise levels on the environment, stress, and hearing loss, noise management and predictive models are crucial by establishing correlations between variables such as charge weight, distance, and geological conditions. Statistical predictor equations calculate blast-induced Air Overpressure (AOp). In India, DGMS regulations ensure mining and blasting operations minimise environmental impacts and keep AOp levels safe for nearby communities. In this study, SVR, RF, GB, BPNN, and an ensemble hybrid XGBoost–RF model were developed to predict blast-induced AOp and compared with traditional statistical prediction equations. The performance of these models was evaluated using four metrics: RMSE, MSE, MAE, and . The results showed high accuracy for machine learning models, with R² values up to 0.9991 for the ensemble hybrid model, compared to much lower values for classical statistical approaches. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of modern machine learning methods in predicting blast-induced Air Overpressure and highlight their superiority over traditional statistical models.
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Authors and Affiliations

Prashanth Ragam
1
Bonagiri Divya
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. VIT-AP University, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Inavolu, Beside AP Secretariat, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522237, India
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Abstract

Leonardite’s ability to stabilise marl, a challenging construction material, was confirmed through mechanical tests, including unconfined compressive strength, unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests, and chemical and microstructural analyses. Results confirmed that the strength improvement factor, cohesion improvement factor, and internal friction improvement factor significantly increased due to both the addition of Leonardite and the curing times. The addition of 15% Leonardite, along with curing periods of 7 to 14 days, resulted in considerable improvement factors ranging between 2 and 5, depending on the parameters investigated. Microstructural analysis confirmed that Leonardite could act as a filler, filling soil voids and reducing peaks associated with calcite content, which is responsible for the unfavorable behavior of marls. The formation of various functional groups and strong bands, such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl, as evidenced by FTIR analysis, was found to be responsible for improving the mechanical strength of samples containing Leonardite.
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Authors and Affiliations

Inan Keskin
1
ORCID: ORCID
Selman Kahraman
1
ORCID: ORCID
Amir Hossein Vakili
2
ORCID: ORCID
Ayhan Kocaman
1
ORCID: ORCID
Nurullah Tatar
1
ORCID: ORCID
Metin Turan
3
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Karabük University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Turkey
  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Zand Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
  3. Department of Agricultural Trade and Management, Faculty of Economy and Administrative Science, Turkey
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Abstract

This article presents the results of precise measurements of the volume flow rate of an air-methane mixture flowing out of a mine shaft and compares them with measurements at the air intakes to the shaft. Continuous measurement of the volume flux of the air-methane mixture in underground mine workings is a complex issue, and given the need to determine methane emissions by mining companies based on quantitative methane measurements in air discharged through ventilation shafts, it represents a current and important problem for both ecological and economic reasons. The development of measurement methods based on a purpose-built instrument was complemented by the creation of a multipoint system for measuring methane velocity and concentration using SOM 2303-type methane anemometers. With the cooperation of the mine, simultaneous measurements were taken in the collection duct of Shaft VI and at all four air intakes to the shaft. The results were presented as determined air and methane fluxes, followed by a comparative analysis of the volume flux measurements taken in the workings at the inlet to Shaft VI.
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Authors and Affiliations

W. Dziurzyński
1
ORCID: ORCID
P. Ostrogórski
1
ORCID: ORCID
P. Jamróz
1
ORCID: ORCID
P. Skotniczny
1
ORCID: ORCID
S. Trenczek
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Strata Mechanics Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 27 W. Reymonta Str., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
  2. Central Mining Institute – National Research Institute, Pl. Gwarków 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
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Abstract

Failures of tailings dams represent a critical environmental hazard, releasing mining by-products that cause long-term damage to nearby ecosystems. This research presents a detailed analysis using remote sensing techniques of the 2003 Sasa tailing dam disaster in North Macedonia. By utilising Landsat 5 imagery and Google Earth Engine (GEE), multiple spectral indices — including the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), Modified NDWI (MNDWI), and a turbidity proxy — were integrated to examine the immediate and spatial impacts on vegetation health, soil moisture, water presence, and sediment levels. The findings indicated significant ecological fluctuations along the river path, including vegetation stress, changes in soil moisture, water pooling, and turbidity. These effects displayed spatial gradients, diminishing further from the contamination pathway and forming distinct zones of influence. Certain intermediate areas showed anomalous disturbances, where sediment and hydrological changes impeded vegetation recovery. Pixel-level, buffer-based, and zone-based analyses — combined with Z-scores and correlation studies — revealed a complex post-disaster landscape. Weak correlation with topographic features suggested that localised conditions, rather than large-scale gradients, governed short-term ecological recovery. The study provides a framework for integrated, multi-index and multiscale environmental impact assessment, contributing to improved remediation strategies, disaster response planning, and sustainable management of post-mining landscapes.
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Authors and Affiliations

Vancho Adjiski
1
ORCID: ORCID
Václav Zubíček
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences, Goce Delcev University, Štip, North Macedonia
  2. Department of Mining Engineering and Safety, Czech Republic

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Archives of Mining Sciences (AMS) is concerned with original research, new developments and case studies in all fields of mining sciences which include:

- mining technologies,

- stability of mine workings,

- rock mechanics,

- geotechnical engineering and tunnelling,

- mineral processing,

- mining and engineering geology,

- mining geophysics,

- mining geodesy

- ventilation systems,

- environmental protection in mining,

- economical aspects in mining,

- mining machine science.

Papers are welcomed on all relevant topics and especially on theoretical developments, analytical methods, numerical methods, rock testing, site investigation, and case studies.


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Journals:

[1] L.B. Magalas, Development of High-Resolution Mechanical Spectroscopy, HRMS: Status and Perspectives. HRMS Coupled with a Laser Dilatometer . Arch. Metall. Mater. 60 (3), 2069-2076 (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/AMM-2015-0350

[2] E. Pagounis, M.J. Szczerba, R. Chulist, M. Laufenberg, Large Magnetic Field-Induced Work output in a NiMgGa Seven-Lavered Modulated Martensite. Appl. Phys. Lett. 107, 152407 (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4933303

[3] H. Etschmaier, H. Torwesten, H. Eder, P. Hadley, Suppression of Interdiffusion in Copper/Tin thin Films. J. Mater. Eng. Perform. (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-011-0090-2.

Books:

[4] K.U. Kainer (Ed.), Metal Matrix Composites, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (2006).

[5] K. Szacilowski, Infochemistry: Information Processing at the Nanoscale, Wiley (2012).

[6] L. Reimer, H. Kohl, Transmission Electron Microscopy: Physics of Image Formation, Springer, New York (2008).

Proceedings or chapter in books with editor(s):

[7] R. Major, P. Lacki, R. Kustosz, J. M. Lackner, Modelling of nanoindentation to simulate thin layer behavior, in: K. J. Kurzydłowski, B. Major, P. Zięba (Eds.), Foundation of Materials Design 2006, Research Signpost (2006).

Internet resource:

[8] https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/crystallographic-databases, accessed: 17.04.2017

Academic thesis (PhD, MSc):

[9] T. Mitra, PhD thesis, Modeling of Burden Distribution in the Blast Furnace, Abo Akademi University, Turku/Abo, Finland (2016).


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