A short review on the surficial impacts of underground mining

Abstract

Subsidence in terrains is one of the most serious geological hazards because they can effect slopes and damage engineering structures, settlement areas, natural lakes, and allow infiltration of contaminant into the groundwater. Causes of underground mining activities such as subsidence, slope deformation, etc. are very important problems in most countries and these types of impacts are very well known in coal, metal and other types of mining. The main aim of this article is to provide technical documentation of environmental impacts related to underground mining, to discuss significant impacts on the environment and land-use during and/or after underground mining projects. Identification, measuring and mitigation of the effect of underground mining activities for practitioners is also aimed in this short review article. This short review article will also be important in order to better understand the nature and magnitude of displacements that can affect surface infrastructure.   Key words: Underground mining, subsidence, collapse, slope deformation, surface.