Sustainable Water-Related Hazards Assessment in Open Pit-to-Underground Mining Transitions: An IDRR and MCDM Approach at Sijiaying Iron Mine, China
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1. Study Area (Sijiaying Open Pit Mine Case Study)
2.2. Overall Methodology Introduction
2.3. Data Collection
2.3.1. Parameters
2.3.2. Aspects
2.3.3. Questionnaire of Experts
2.4. Assessing Water-Related Hazard Mitigation and Sustainability Impacts in Open Pit-to-Underground Mining Transitions
2.4.1. Study Design and Parameter Identification
2.4.2. Expert Surveys and Factor Prioritization
2.4.3. Weighting Criteria via Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
2.4.4. Impact Assessment Matrix Construction
2.4.5. Final Impact Calculation
2.4.6. Validation and Strategic Recommendations
- TOPSIS Closeness Coefficient (): Measures proximity to ideal solutions.
- : Distance from positive ideal solution.
- : Distance from negative ideal solution.
- AHP Weighting: Normalized eigenvector of pairwise comparison matrix.
- Relative Impact (): Aggregated weighted scores normalized to percentage scale.
2.5. A Hybrid Spatiotemporal Approach to Assess Water-Related Hazards in Open Pit Mining
2.5.1. Parameter Categorization
2.5.2. Spatiotemporal (ST) Scenario Classification
2.5.3. Static and Dynamic Weight Calculation
2.5.4. Factor Scoring (0–10 Scale)
2.5.5. Final Sustainability Score Calculation
2.6. Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction for Water-Related Hazards in Mining
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Water-Related Hazard Mitigation and Sustainability Impacts in Open Pit-to-Underground Mining Transitions
3.2. A Hybrid Spatiotemporal Approach to Assess Water-Related Hazards in Open Pit Mining
3.3. Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction for Water-Related Hazards in Mining
4. Conclusions and Future Recommendations
4.1. Conclusions
4.2. Future Recommendations
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
SDGs | Sustainable Development Goals |
MCDM | Multi-Criteria Decision-Making |
AHP | Analytic Hierarchy Process |
TOPSIS | Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution |
ZFDAHP | Z-number Fuzzy Delphi Analytical Hierarchy Process |
GHG | Greenhouse Gas |
IoT | Internet of Things |
AMD | Acid Mine Drainage |
LCA | Life Cycle Assessment |
ST | Spatiotemporal |
CSR | Corporate Social Responsibility |
IDRR | Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction |
SCC | Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient |
AI | Artificial Intelligence |
GBV | Gender-Based Violence |
WA | Waste and Acid Mine Drainage (as per parameter groups) |
RI | Regional Impact |
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No. | Groups of Major Category Parameters | Major Categories of Parameters | Code | Parameters |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Environmental Factors | Environmental Pollution and Preservation | En | 1-Pollution caused by crushing (En1), 2-possibility of pollution in future (En2), 3-reduce greenhouse gas emissions (En3), 4-reduce soil contamination (En4), 5-reduce water contamination (En5), 6-reduce air contamination (En6), 7-preserve local animals (En7), 8-preserve local plants (En8), 9-rate of increase of pollutants compared to permissible environmental indicators (En9), 10-contaminants available (En10), 11-impact of mine reclamation (En11), 12-reuse of mined lands (En12). |
2 | Environmental Costs | EC | 13-Environmental cost of block transportation (EC1), 14-energy consumption during drilling and blasting (EC2), 15-environmental costs of ancillary tasks (EC3), 16-crushing emissions and associated costs (EC4), 17-Global Warming Potential (GWP) of mining activities (EC5), 18-cumulative environmental costs over mine life (EC6), 19-environmental cost minimization in mine planning (EC7). | |
3 | Climate Change | CC | 20-Greenhouse gas emissions (CC1), 21-carbon sinks destruction (CC2), 22-deforestation and land-use changes (CC3), 23-reduction of gases produced by machinery and facilities (CC4), 24-increase in atmospheric heat (CC5). | |
4 | Soil, Water, and Air | SW | 25-Topsoil quality (SW1), 26-deep soil quality (SW2), 27-terrestrial ecotoxicity (SW3), 28-freshwater ecotoxicity (SW4), 29-surface water quality (SW5), 30-underground water quality (SW6), 31-water table change (SW7), 32-air quality (SW8), 33-dust reduction (SW9), 34-noise reduction (SW10). | |
5 | Waste and Acid Mine Drainage | WA | 35-Overburden volume (WA1), 36-waste rock volume (WA2), 37-tailing volume (WA3), 38-waste management and reuse (WA4), 39-acidification due to sulfur (WA5). | |
6 | Biodiversity and Ecosystem | BE | 40-Deforestation (BE1), 41-migration or destruction of animal species (BE2), 42-restoration of biodiversity (BE3), 43-life below water (BE4), 44-ecotoxicity (BE5). | |
7 | Social and Community Factors | Community and Social | SC | 45-Improving the situation of local people (SC1), 46-reduce social problems (SC2), 47-job security (SC3), 48-reception of local people in the area (SC4), 49-revival of cultural and regional identity (SC5), 50-quality of life improvements (SC6), 51-social cohesion (SC7). |
8 | Safety and Health | SH | 52-Occupational health and safety (SH1), 53-occupational accidents (SH2), 54-fire and explosions (SH3), 55-dust, noise, and vibration (SH4), 56-toxic gas ventilation (SH5), 57-emergency rescue (SH6). | |
9 | Regional Impact | RI | 58-Landscape/topography degradation (RI1), 59-ground vibration (RI2), 60-noise impact on surrounding areas (RI3), 61-air overpressure (RI4), 62-geothermal effects of mining depth (RI5), 63-short-term impact (RI6), 64-medium-term impact (RI7), 65-long-term impact (RI8), 66-local scale (RI9), 67-regional scale (RI10), 68-national scale (RI11), 69-global scale (RI12). | |
10 | National and Global Level Impacts | NG | 70-Impact on global social justice concerns (NG1), 71-impact on Indigenous communities at a global level (NG2), 72-impact of mining on global human rights (NG3), 73-impact of mining on cultural heritage preservation (NG4), 74-global public health impacts of mining activities (NG5), 75-impact of global migration due to mining (NG6), 76-global labor rights in mining (NG7), 77-impact on sustainable development goals (SDGs) (NG8), 78-impact of global community protests on mining projects (NG9), 79-global collaboration for responsible mining practices (NG10). | |
11 | Post Mining Factors | PM | 80-Land rehabilitation (PM1), 81-biodiversity restoration (PM2), 82-reclamation planning (PM3), 83-proposed land use (PM4), 84-community engagement in post-mining plans (PM5). | |
12 | Long-Term Impacts of Mining | LT | 85-Depletion of non-renewable resources (LT1), 86-intergenerational equity (LT2), 87-sustainability of mining practices (LT3), 88-long-term environmental degradation (LT4), 89-social and economic impacts on future generations (LT5), 90-dependence on mining economies (LT6). | |
13 | Technical and Geological Factors | Technical | Te | 91-Production rate (Te1), 92-exploitation efficiency (Te2), 93-transportation continuity (Te3), 94-system reliability (Te4), 95-blasting efficiency (Te5), 96-height of extraction (Te6), 97-stockpile management (Te7), 98-flexibility in mining method (Te8). |
14 | Technological | TG | 99-Advanced mining technologies (TG1), 100-robotic transport (TG2), 101-automation in mining (TG3), 102-energy-efficient machinery (TG4). | |
15 | Geological | GG | 103-Type of ore reserve (GG1), 104-reserve depth (GG2), 105-grade distribution (GG3), 106-physical properties of mined lands (GG4), 107-compressive and shear strength (GG5), 108-groundwater level (GG6), 109-geomechanical aspects of ore body (GG7). | |
16 | Site-situation | SS | 110-Site location (SS1), 111-extent of mined lands (SS2), 112-topography of mined lands (SS3), 113-access to water resources (SS4), 114-repair shop area (SS5). | |
17 | Mechanical Equipment | ME | 115-Drilling equipment (ME1), 116-loading equipment (ME2), 117-transportation equipment (ME3), 118-equipment reliability (ME4), 119-maintenance status (ME5). | |
18 | Face Operation | FO | 120-Roof fall (FO1), 121-ventilation and toxic gases (FO2), 122-water inrush (FO3), 123-falling from height (FO4), 124-electrical hazard (FO5). | |
19 | Economic and Regulatory Factors | Financial and Economical | FE | 125-Capital cost (FE1), 126-operating cost (FE2), 127-return on investment (FE3), 128-reclamation cost (FE4), 129-taxes and government rights (FE5), 130-labor wages cost (FE6), 131-inflation rate (FE7). |
20 | Carbon Pricing and Financial Impacts | CP | 132-Carbon price variability across regions (CP1), 133-carbon tax impact on operational costs (CP2), 134-financial risk of carbon pricing (CP3), 135-carbon pricing effect on block sequencing (CP4), 136-carbon pricing integration in Net Present Value (NPV) calculations (CP5), 137-sensitivity of profitability to carbon price changes (CP6), 138-carbon tax-based cost adjustments for waste blocks (CP7). | |
21 | Infrastructure and Accessibility | IA | 139-Transportation infrastructure (IA1), 140-access roads (IA2), 141-utilities availability (IA3), 142-accessibility to site (IA4). | |
22 | Regulatory and Management | RM | 143-Compliance with regulations (RM1), 144-mining site security (RM2), 145-safety inspection (RM3), 146-environmental monitoring (RM4). | |
23 | Land and Energy Factors | Land Stability | LS | 147-Surface ground stability (LS1), 148-slope stability (LS2), 149-land disturbance (LS3). |
24 | Energy | EN | 150-Energy consumption (EN1), 151-fossil fuel depletion (EN2), 152-renewable energy generation (EN3). | |
25 | Sustainable and Green Mining | SG | 153-Integration of life cycle assessment (LCA) in mine planning (SG1), 154-use of renewable energy in mining operations (SG2), 155-sustainable haulage and transportation systems (SG3), 156-adoption of eco-friendly blasting techniques (SG4), 157-Minimization of ecological footprint in block sequencing (SG5), 158-long-term reclamation and biodiversity restoration plans (SG6), 159-incorporation of green technologies in mining equipment (SG7). |
No. | Aspect | Code |
---|---|---|
1 | Water quality monitoring systems (AMD, heavy metals) | A1 |
2 | Geotechnical/geomechanical stability of ore body and strata | A2 |
3 | Flood and drought risk management | A3 |
4 | Optimal transition depth determination | A4 |
5 | Crown pillar design and stability | A5 |
6 | Transition timeline and phased execution | A6 |
7 | Concurrency of open-pit and underground operations | A7 |
8 | Sediment control and erosion prevention | A8 |
9 | Spatial footprint minimization | A9 |
10 | Regulatory compliance and legal adaptability | A10 |
11 | Water recycling and reuse efficiency | A11 |
12 | Geological uncertainty (grade/tonnage variability) | A12 |
13 | Transboundary water resource agreements | A13 |
14 | Community water access equity | A14 |
15 | Aquatic ecosystem health monitoring | A15 |
16 | Waste and tailings valorization strategies | A16 |
17 | Real-time water quality monitoring systems (AMD, heavy metals) | A17 |
18 | Social license to operate (SLO) and stakeholder engagement | A18 |
19 | Alignment with SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) | A19 |
20 | Lifecycle assessment (LCA) of water contamination impacts | A20 |
21 | Energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption | A21 |
22 | Water resource management and aquifer protection | A22 |
23 | Cultural heritage preservation and Indigenous rights | A23 |
24 | Occupational health and workforce welfare | A24 |
25 | Resilience to water-related climate extremes (floods, droughts) | A25 |
Expert No. | Occupation/Position | Academic Degree | Work Experience (Years) | Field of Study/Expert Science Interests |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Geotechnology Professor | Doctor (Engineering) | 41 | Geotechnical stability; mining system design |
2 | Socio-Economic Vulnerability Expert | PhD (Development Economics) | 14 | Poverty cycles in mining-dependent communities; livelihood diversification strategies |
3 | Hydrologist and Water Governance Expert | PhD (Water Resource Management) | 18 | Groundwater sustainability in mining regions; community-led water allocation frameworks |
4 | Iron Ore Mining Engineer | PhD (Mining Engineering) | 15 | Iron ore extraction; hybrid mining methods |
5 | Environmental Scientist | PhD (Environmental Science | 12 | GHG emissions; biodiversity restoration |
6 | Water Quality and Contamination Expert | PhD (Environmental Chemistry) | 11 | Monitoring and remediation of water contamination; heavy metal pollution in mining regions |
7 | Renewable Energy Analyst | MSc (Energy Systems) | 8 | Energy efficiency; renewable adoption (SDG 7) |
8 | Environmental Health Researcher | PhD (Public Health) | 8 | Health impacts of water contamination; gender-specific vulnerabilities to mining-related hazards |
9 | Mining Policy Advisor | JD/PhD (Environmental Law) | 20 | SDG alignment; regulatory compliance |
10 | Social Sustainability Expert | PhD (Sociology) | 9 | Community engagement; cultural heritage; workforce welfare |
No. | Aspect | Code | Average Point | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Water quality monitoring systems (AMD, heavy metals) | A19 | 9.1 | 1 |
2 | Geotechnical/geomechanical stability of ore body and strata | A4 | 9.0 | 2 |
3 | Flood and drought risk management | A2 | 8.4 | 3 |
4 | Optimal transition depth determination | A17 | 9.4 | 4 |
5 | Crown pillar design and stability | A16 | 9.2 | 5 |
6 | Transition timeline and phased execution | A21 | 9.0 | 6 |
7 | Concurrency of open pit and underground operations | A22 | 9.0 | 7 |
8 | Sediment control and erosion prevention | A25 | 8.8 | 8 |
9 | Spatial footprint minimization | A15 | 8.6 | 9 |
10 | Regulatory compliance and legal adaptability | A20 | 8.6 | 10 |
11 | Water recycling and reuse efficiency | A18 | 9.6 | 11 |
12 | Geological uncertainty (grade/tonnage variability) | A13 | 8.2 | 12 |
13 | Transboundary water resource agreements | A23 | 8.0 | 13 |
14 | Community water access equity | A24 | 7.8 | 14 |
15 | Aquatic ecosystem health monitoring | A7 | 7.6 | 15 |
16 | Waste and tailings valorization strategies | A5 | 7.4 | 16 |
17 | Real-time water quality monitoring systems (AMD, heavy metals) | A12 | 7.2 | 17 |
18 | Social License to Operate (SLO) and stakeholder engagement | A1 | 7.0 | 18 |
19 | Alignment with SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) | A9 | 6.8 | 19 |
20 | Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) of water contamination impacts | A14 | 6.6 | 20 |
21 | Energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption | A10 | 6.4 | 21 |
22 | Water resource management and aquifer protection | A8 | 6.2 | 22 |
23 | Cultural heritage preservation and Indigenous rights | A6 | 6.0 | 23 |
24 | Occupational health and workforce welfare | A11 | 5.8 | 24 |
25 | Resilience to water-related climate extremes (floods, droughts) | A3 | 4.6 | 25 |
Rank | Aspect | Symbol | Closeness Coefficient | Impact Category | Impact on Sustainability | Recommended Action/Strategy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alignment with SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) | A19 | 0.912 | Very High Impact | Protects freshwater, reduces contamination, preserves aquatic ecosystems | Integrate SDG 6/14 into planning; enforce community-led governance |
2 | Optimal transition depth determination | A4 | 0.876 | Very High Impact | Minimizes groundwater contamination, stabilizes water tables | Use geotechnical–hydrogeological studies; predictive groundwater models |
3 | Geotechnical/geomechanical stability of ore body and strata | A2 | 0.864 | Very High Impact | Prevents structural failures causing water contamination | Implement real-time stability monitoring; reinforce critical zones |
4 | Real-time water quality monitoring systems (AMD, heavy metals) | A17 | 0.843 | High Impact | Detects AMD/heavy metals early, reduces water toxicity | Deploy IoT sensors and blockchain tracking |
5 | Waste and tailings valorization strategies | A16 | 0.821 | High Impact | Reduces leaching, supports circular economy | Partner to repurpose tailings; use AI for reuse |
6 | Energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption | A21 | 0.798 | High Impact | Lowers carbon footprint of water-intensive processes | Shift to solar/wind pumps; optimize energy use |
7 | Water resource management and aquifer protection | A22 | 0.785 | High Impact | Prevents aquifer depletion, ensures water security | Adopt closed-loop recycling; community-led protection zones |
8 | Resilience to water-related climate extremes (floods, droughts) | A25 | 0.763 | High Impact | Reduces climate vulnerability for operations/communities | Build adaptive infrastructure; drought-resistant sourcing |
9 | Aquatic ecosystem health monitoring | A15 | 0.742 | High Impact | Protects biodiversity (SDG 14) | Conduct biodiversity audits; restore riparian zones |
10 | Lifecycle assessment (LCA) of water contamination impacts | A20 | 0.721 | High Impact | Quantifies long-term risks for proactive mitigation | Perform LCAs; fund post-closure remediation |
Factor | Weight | Rank | Factor | Weight | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A19 | 0.104567 | 1 | A21 | 0.098871 | 6 |
A4 | 0.103454 | 2 | A22 | 0.098283 | 7 |
A2 | 0.102893 | 3 | A25 | 0.09769 | 8 |
A17 | 0.100615 | 4 | A15 | 0.097094 | 9 |
A16 | 0.100038 | 5 | A20 | 0.096495 | 10 |
Aspects | Feasible Solutions | Points Range | Average Points | Codes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alignment with SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 14 | Integrate SDG 6/14 metrics into mine planning; enforce community-led water governance. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 9.1 | A19 |
Partial adoption of SDG criteria with limited stakeholder involvement. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
Minimal SDG integration; no participatory frameworks. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Optimal transition depth determination | Use hydrogeological studies and predictive groundwater models. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 8.9 | A4 |
Limited modeling; reliance on historical data. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
Ad-hoc depth selection without technical analysis. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Geotechnical stability of ore body/strata | Real-time stability monitoring; reinforcement with grouting/rock bolts. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 8.8 | A2 |
Periodic inspections; partial reinforcement. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
No proactive measures; reactive repairs only. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Real-time water quality monitoring | Deploy IoT sensors for AMD/heavy metals; blockchain-enabled data tracking. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 8.4 | A17 |
Manual sampling with delayed reporting. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
No systematic monitoring; reliance on external reports. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Waste and tailings valorization | Partner to repurpose tailings into construction materials; AI-driven reuse strategies. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 8.3 | A16 |
Limited recycling; no circular economy partnerships. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
Landfill disposal; no valorization efforts. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Energy efficiency and renewable adoption | Shift to solar/wind-powered pumps; optimize energy use in water recycling. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 8.1 | A21 |
Partial renewable adoption; fossil fuel dependency. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
No renewable integration; high carbon footprint. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Water resource management/aquifer protection | Closed-loop water recycling systems; community-led aquifer protection zones. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 8.0 | A22 |
Partial recycling; limited community involvement. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
Linear water use; no aquifer safeguards. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Resilience to water-related climate extremes | Build flood barriers; adopt drought-resistant water sourcing (e.g., rainwater harvesting). | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 7.9 | A25 |
Basic infrastructure; limited climate adaptation. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
No adaptive measures; high vulnerability. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
Aquatic ecosystem health monitoring | Quarterly biodiversity audits; restore riparian zones with native vegetation. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 7.8 | A15 |
Annual audits; minimal habitat restoration. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
No monitoring; ecosystem degradation unchecked. | 1 ≤ S < 6 | |||
LCA of water contamination impacts | Perform LCAs for all phases; fund post-closure remediation programs. | 8 ≤ S < 10 | 7.7 | A20 |
Partial LCAs; limited remediation funding. | 6 ≤ S < 8 | |||
No LCAs; contamination risks unaddressed. | 1 ≤ S < 6 |
A19 | A4 | A2 | A17 | A16 | A21 | A22 | A25 | A15 | A20 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental | En | 0.04307 | 0.048019 | 0.076982 | 0.0635 | 0.022493 | 0.009908 | 0.056242 | 0.011889 | 0.045367 | 0.076182 |
EC | 0.04679 | 0.023523 | 0.069884 | 0.032937 | 0.049808 | 0.011238 | 0.024775 | 0.071738 | 0.063229 | 0.016074 | |
CC | 0.025192 | 0.039073 | 0.008973 | 0.058911 | 0.027666 | 0.050516 | 0.024068 | 0.041794 | 0.021467 | 0.02972 | |
SW | 0.010414 | 0.067675 | 0.026111 | 0.064323 | 0.050956 | 0.037226 | 0.021546 | 0.057643 | 0.029296 | 0.029395 | |
WA | 0.045063 | 0.011179 | 0.072773 | 0.066056 | 0.06299 | 0.059014 | 0.04405 | 0.072506 | 0.041629 | 0.08043 | |
BE | 0.027229 | 0.039192 | 0.06726 | 0.034168 | 0.031298 | 0.020319 | 0.055608 | 0.036356 | 0.058528 | 0.035594 | |
Social and Community | SC | 0.047677 | 0.029131 | 0.038245 | 0.032499 | 0.008609 | 0.02948 | 0.043641 | 0.028926 | 0.063129 | 0.0819 |
SH | 0.025663 | 0.053232 | 0.011532 | 0.063421 | 0.052632 | 0.010586 | 0.069667 | 0.013676 | 0.014708 | 0.012218 | |
RI | 0.08071 | 0.064028 | 0.066384 | 0.042677 | 0.009336 | 0.038303 | 0.054577 | 0.041887 | 0.053975 | 0.017347 | |
NG | 0.051201 | 0.050388 | 0.053673 | 0.011851 | 0.064673 | 0.029807 | 0.025332 | 0.045493 | 0.028694 | 0.040707 | |
PM | 0.065719 | 0.034964 | 0.064665 | 0.029723 | 0.047336 | 0.066818 | 0.061698 | 0.072049 | 0.018298 | 0.072043 | |
LT | 0.017652 | 0.018429 | 0.061126 | 0.032274 | 0.027446 | 0.013114 | 0.04363 | 0.008719 | 0.024349 | 0.019803 | |
Technical and Geological | Te | 0.016506 | 0.050045 | 0.036079 | 0.01292 | 0.072963 | 0.061904 | 0.050516 | 0.036909 | 0.013692 | 0.017326 |
TG | 0.040943 | 0.034164 | 0.014047 | 0.052698 | 0.035105 | 0.063532 | 0.046045 | 0.03867 | 0.028128 | 0.016531 | |
GG | 0.060441 | 0.035928 | 0.037324 | 0.008127 | 0.072621 | 0.065866 | 0.035691 | 0.008222 | 0.030224 | 0.009694 | |
SS | 0.062092 | 0.057775 | 0.07951 | 0.050827 | 0.014885 | 0.0587 | 0.016264 | 0.035832 | 0.056992 | 0.066887 | |
ME | 0.032491 | 0.01329 | 0.03162 | 0.010879 | 0.031919 | 0.062199 | 0.031588 | 0.045363 | 0.061409 | 0.058448 | |
FO | 0.041305 | 0.051388 | 0.01299 | 0.057873 | 0.065105 | 0.011325 | 0.049333 | 0.02391 | 0.02356 | 0.029401 | |
Economic and Regulatory | FE | 0.060386 | 0.007946 | 0.038904 | 0.051578 | 0.037779 | 0.053589 | 0.041304 | 0.054298 | 0.0621 | 0.029367 |
CP | 0.041539 | 0.057567 | 0.017893 | 0.017605 | 0.035312 | 0.057459 | 0.018633 | 0.062357 | 0.061591 | 0.053393 | |
IA | 0.049082 | 0.026175 | 0.017288 | 0.053032 | 0.069766 | 0.049066 | 0.028091 | 0.027723 | 0.057326 | 0.075595 | |
RM | 0.046511 | 0.04682 | 0.025756 | 0.035953 | 0.043073 | 0.014267 | 0.030906 | 0.030756 | 0.014422 | 0.061638 | |
Land and Energy | LS | 0.010291 | 0.033472 | 0.01946 | 0.031916 | 0.008641 | 0.025359 | 0.048111 | 0.056323 | 0.037658 | 0.018995 |
EN | 0.04297 | 0.053233 | 0.032633 | 0.046015 | 0.044216 | 0.059398 | 0.050183 | 0.043926 | 0.060685 | 0.030262 | |
SG | 0.009061 | 0.053366 | 0.018886 | 0.038236 | 0.013373 | 0.041008 | 0.028503 | 0.033032 | 0.029543 | 0.02105 |
Groups of Parameters | Parameters | Overall Technical Description |
---|---|---|
1. Waste (W) | WA1: Overburden volume, WA2: waste rock volume, WA3: tailings volume, WA4: Waste wanagement and reuse, WA5: acidification due to sulphur | Quantifies the volume of non-ore materials (overburden, waste rock) removed during mining operations, tailings generated from ore processing, and strategies for waste reuse. WA5 assesses sulfur-induced acidification risks from exposed sulfide minerals (e.g., pyrite) in waste dumps, which could lead to Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the semi-arid climate of Hebei. |
2. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and Heavy Metal Leaching | WA5: Acidification due to sulfur | Focuses on sulfur oxidation in waste materials, which generates sulfuric acid and leaches heavy metals (e.g., Fe, As) into groundwater and surface water. Critical for Sijiaying Mine due to its proximity to the Luanhe River Basin, where AMD could contaminate regional water resources. |
3. Biodiversity and ecosystem (B) | BE1: Deforestation, BE2: migration/destruction of animal species, BE3: restoration of biodiversity, BE4: life below water, BE5: ecotoxicity | Evaluates habitat loss from land clearing (BE1), impacts on endemic species (e.g., Hebei’s migratory birds), reclamation efforts (BE3), aquatic ecosystem health in local reservoirs (BE4), and toxicity from heavy metals (BE5) affecting soil and water organisms. |
4. Soil (S) | SW1: Topsoil quality, SW2: deep soil quality, SW3: terrestrial ecotoxicity | Measures physical/chemical degradation of topsoil (SW1) from mining activities, contamination of deeper soil layers (SW2) by leachates, and ecotoxicological risks (SW3) from metal accumulation (e.g., Fe, Mn) in agricultural soils near the mine. |
5. Surface Water Quality and Groundwater Resources (Wa) | SW4: Freshwater ecotoxicity, SW5: surface water quality, SW6: underground water quality, SW7: water table change | Assesses contamination of surface water (SW5) and groundwater (SW6) by suspended solids, heavy metals, and pH changes. SW4 evaluates toxicity to aquatic life in the Luanhe River, while SW7 tracks aquifer depletion due to mine dewatering in Hebei’s water-stressed region. |
6. Airborne Contaminants (A) | En1: Pollution caused by crushing, En2: possibility of future pollution, SW8: air quality, SW9: dust reduction, SW10: noise reduction | Monitors particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) from ore crushing (En1), fugitive dust (SW8) from haul roads, mitigation measures (SW9: water spraying, SW10: noise barriers). En2 addresses long-term risks of heavy metal-laden dust dispersion to nearby villages. |
7. Energy (E) | EN1: Energy consumption, EN2: fossil fuel depletion, EN3: renewable energy generation | Quantifies diesel/petrol use in heavy machinery (EN1), reliance on non-renewable resources (EN2), and adoption of solar/wind energy (EN3) to offset carbon emissions in Hebei’s coal-dominated energy grid. |
8. Climate Change (CC) | CC1: Greenhouse gas emissions, CC2: carbon sinks destruction, CC3: deforestation, CC4: reduction of gases from machinery, CC5: increase in atmospheric heat | Tracks CO₂/CH₄ emissions from machinery (CC1), loss of carbon sequestration from deforestation (CC2-CC3), mitigation via fuel-efficient equipment (CC4), and localized heat island effects (CC5) from exposed mine surfaces. |
9. Land Stability(LS) and Sediment Control | LS1: Surface ground stability, LS2: slope stability, LS3: land disturbance | Evaluates risks of landslides (LS1) in highwall slopes (up to 63° bench angles), slope failure (LS2) due to blasting vibrations, and land subsidence (LS3) from large-scale excavation in Hebei’s loess terrain. |
10. Post-Mining (PM) | PM1: Land rehabilitation, PM2: biodiversity restoration, PM3: reclamation planning, PM4: proposed land use, PM5: community engagement in post-mining plans | Defines strategies for backfilling pits (PM1), reintroducing native vegetation (PM2), converting mined land to agriculture/recreation (PM4), and involving local communities (PM5) in post-mining land-use decisions. |
11. Regional Impacts (RI) | RI1: landscape/topography degradation, RI2: ground vibration, RI3: noise impact on surrounding areas, RI4: air overpressure, RI5: geothermal effects of mining depth, RI6–RI8: short/medium/long-term impacts, RI9–RI12: local/regional/national/global scale impacts | Addresses blasting-induced ground vibrations (RI2) affecting nearby infrastructure, noise pollution (RI3) in rural Hebei communities, geothermal changes (RI5) from deep mining (500 m+), and multi-scale impacts (RI6–RI12) on regional ecosystems and national resource policies. |
Parameters | Temporal Scenario | Temporal Score (fₜ) | Spatial Scenario | Spatial Score (fₛ) |
---|---|---|---|---|
WA1: overburden volume, WA2: waste rock volume, WA4: waste management and reuse, SW1: topsoil quality, SW8: air quality, SW9: dust reduction, SW10: noise reduction, CC4: reduction of gases from machinery, LS1: surface ground stability, RI2: ground vibration, RI3: noise impact on surrounding areas, RI4: air overpressure | Short-term | 1 | Local | 1 |
WA3: tailings volume, WA5: acidification due to sulphur, BE2: migration/destruction of animals, BE4: life below water, BE5: ecotoxicity, SW2: deep soil quality, SW3: terrestrial ecotoxicity, SW4: freshwater ecotoxicity, SW5: surface water quality, SW6: underground water quality, SW7: water table change, LS2: slope stability, LS3: land disturbance, PM5: community engagement, RI1: landscape/topography degradation, RI5: geothermal effects of mining depth | Medium-term | 3 | Regional | 2 |
BE1: deforestation, BE3: restoration of biodiversity, EN1: energy consumption, CC3: deforestation, PM1: land rehabilitation, PM2: biodiversity restoration, PM3: reclamation planning, PM4: proposed land use | Long-term | 4 | National | 3 |
En2: possibility of future pollution, EN2: fossil fuel depletion, EN3: renewable energy generation, CC1: Greenhouse gas emissions, CC2: carbon sinks destruction, CC5: increase in atmospheric heat | Long-term | 4 | Global | 4 |
Impact Category | () | () | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Waste | 1 | 1 | 1 × 1 × 23.89 = 23.89 | 20.8% | 23.89% |
AMD | 3 | 2 | 3 × 2 × 11.40 = 68.40 | 9.9% | 11.40% |
Biodiversity | 4 | 3 | 4 × 3 × 5.70 = 68.40 | 9.9% | 5.70% |
Soil | 3 | 2 | 3 × 2 × 11.70 = 70.20 | 10.2% | 11.70% |
Water | 3 | 2 | 3 × 2 × 16.50 = 99.00 | 14.4% | 16.50% |
Air | 1 | 1 | 1 × 1 × 4.20 = 4.20 | 0.6% | 4.20% |
Energy | 4 | 4 | 4 × 4 × 3.30 = 52.80 | 7.7% | 3.30% |
Climate Change | 4 | 4 | 4 × 4 × 15.63 = 250.08 | 36.3% | 15.63% |
Land Stability | 1 | 1 | 1 × 1 × 2.60 = 2.60 | 0.4% | 2.60% |
Post-Mining | 4 | 3 | 4 × 3 × 0.36 = 4.32 | 0.6% | 0.36% |
Regional Impacts | 3 | 2 | 3 × 2 × 0.79 = 4.74 | 0.7% | 0.79% |
Total | 687.63 | 100% | 100% |
Parameter | Scenario Example | () |
---|---|---|
WA1, WA2, WA4 | Waste management plans partially applied | 5 |
WA3, WA5 | High AMD risk | 3 |
BE1, BE3 | Partial biodiversity restoration | 6 |
SW1, SW8, SW9 | Moderate air quality improvement | 7 |
CC1, CC2 | High GHG emissions | 2 |
No | Impact Category | (SE)static | (SE)dynamic | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Waste | 5.0 | 23.89% | 20.8% | 1.195 | 1.040 |
2 | AMD | 4.0 | 11.40% | 9.9% | 0.456 | 0.396 |
3 | Biodiversity | 6.0 | 5.70% | 9.9% | 0.342 | 0.594 |
4 | Soil | 7.0 | 11.70% | 10.2% | 0.819 | 0.714 |
5 | Water | 5.0 | 16.50% | 14.4% | 0.825 | 0.720 |
6 | Air | 7.0 | 4.20% | 0.6% | 0.294 | 0.042 |
7 | Energy | 5.0 | 3.30% | 7.7% | 0.165 | 0.385 |
8 | Climate Change | 3.0 | 15.63% | 36.3% | 0.469 | 1.089 |
9 | Land Stability | 8.0 | 2.60% | 0.4% | 0.208 | 0.032 |
10 | Post-Mining | 6.0 | 0.36% | 0.6% | 0.022 | 0.036 |
11 | Regional Impacts | 4.0 | 0.79% | 0.7% | 0.032 | 0.028 |
Total | 3.110 | 3.200 |
No. | Category of Parameters | Key Parameters | Code | Key Insights | Data Sources |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Environmental | Air Pollution | AP | PM2.5/PM10 emissions from mining activities degrade air quality in regions like Inner Mongolia and Shanxi. | 411 (air quality monitoring frameworks) |
2 | Water Resource Depletion and Contamination | WRD | Over-extraction of groundwater in arid regions (e.g., Xinjiang) worsens water scarcity, competing with agriculture. Acid mine drainage and heavy metals pollute water sources. | China Water Risk Report, WHO Water Quality Reports | |
3 | Land Degradation and Biodiversity Loss | LDB | Soil erosion, habitat fragmentation, and threats to endemic species in coal-rich areas (e.g., Shanxi) and ecologically sensitive zones (e.g., Yunnan). Low post-mining reclamation rates. | MEE Annual Report, UNEP Assessment on Chinese Mining | |
4 | Community-Based Water Monitoring and Flood Mitigation | CBW | Local communities (especially women) monitor water quality. Restored wetlands/forests near mines reduce flood runoff through nature-based solutions (NBS). | UN-Water Guidelines, IUCN Case Studies on NBS | |
5 | Social | Gender Inequities and GBV | GIG | Women bear disproportionate burdens (water collection, health risks) and face violence due to economic stress and displacement in mining areas. Limited decision-making power. | UN Women Reports, Human Rights Watch Reports |
6 | Health Impacts | HI | Respiratory diseases from air pollution; anxiety/depression in women due to water scarcity. Limited healthcare access in remote regions. | NBS Labor Reports, Lancet Planetary Health Studies | |
7 | Cultural Heritage Loss and Gender-Responsive Water Access | CHG | Mining near historical sites (e.g., Shanxi temples) sparks cultural conflicts. Water distribution systems prioritize women’s needs (proximity, safety). | Cultural Relics Bureau, WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme | |
8 | Governance | Regulatory Compliance and Green Mining | RCG | Weak enforcement of environmental laws and gaps in state-led “eco-friendly mining” policies (e.g., renewable mineral extraction). | MEE Compliance Audits, CMA Policy Briefs |
9 | Participatory DRR Policy Co-Design and Gender Quotas | PDC | Inclusive frameworks where women/marginalized groups shape water hazard strategies. Mandating 50% women in disaster committees ensures equity. | UNDRR Report on Participatory DRR, UN Women Policy Briefs | |
10 | Economic | Socio-Economic Inequality and Livelihood Diversification | SEL | Water hazards deepen poverty cycles for women/marginalized groups. Training women in eco-tourism/agroforestry reduces mining dependency. | World Bank Reports, ILO Studies on Green Jobs |
11 | Economic Dependency and Compensation Gaps | EDC | Local economies rely on mining jobs, creating market vulnerability. Financial redress for water scarcity impacts (e.g., crop failure) is rarely enforced. | China National Bureau of Statistics, World Bank Reports | |
12 | Geological/Technical | Land Instability and Water Table Disruption | LIW | Open-pit mining triggers landslides/subsidence and alters groundwater flow, worsening scarcity/contamination. | Geological Survey of China, China Institute of Water Resources |
13 | Seismic Risks and Participatory Risk Mapping | SRP | Blasting increases seismic activity in unstable regions. Communities use GIS tools to map flood/drought zones, integrating local/technical knowledge. | Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, ESRI Case Studies | |
14 | Gender-Sensitive Early Warning Systems | GEW | Flood/drought alerts accessible to women via SMS/local languages. Grassroots systems lack funding and gender-sensitive design. | GFDRR Guidelines, NGO Case Studies | |
15 | Community-Based | Participatory DRR Planning and Traditional Knowledge | PDT | Limited inclusion of women/marginalized groups in DRR decisions. Indigenous water management practices are often ignored. | UNDRR Reports, UNESCO LINKS |
16 | Community-Led Early Warning and Women-Led Water Governance | CEW | Grassroots flood/drought alerts underfunded; women manage water distribution/conflict resolution in mining villages. | NGO Case Studies, FAO Gender and Water Governance | |
17 | DRR Education for Marginalized Groups | DEM | Culturally relevant workshops prepare Indigenous communities for water hazards. | UNESCO DRR Education Toolkit | |
18 | Technological | AI and Mobile Tech for Water Monitoring and Data | AMT | AI predicts contamination/scarcity; apps collect sex-disaggregated data on water access/hazards for evidence-based DRR. | IEEE Journals, MIT Technology Review |
19 | Renewable Energy and Reclamation Tech | RET | Slow adoption of solar/wind energy reduces mining’s carbon footprint. Advanced techniques (e.g., phytoremediation) underused for post-mining land rehabilitation. | IRENA, IUCN Nature-Based Solutions | |
20 | Decentralized Water Treatment Tech | DWT | Community-managed filtration systems (e.g., bio-sand filters) address contamination. Women involved in maintenance. | Water Research Journal (MDPI) |
Hazard | Key Characteristics | Vulnerable Groups | Gender Impacts | Mitigation Strategies |
---|---|---|---|---|
Floods | Overflow due to rainfall, dam failure, poor drainage. | Low-income households, Indigenous communities | Women face caregiving burdens; limited evacuation access. | IoT flood early warning systems; wetland restoration; gender-inclusive early warning committees. |
Droughts | Water scarcity from over-extraction, climate shifts. | Farmers, women-led households | Women spend 3–6 h/day collecting water; girls drop out of school. | WQQM monitoring; rainwater harvesting; groundwater extraction caps. |
Contamination | Pollution by heavy metals, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). | Fishing communities, pregnant women | Higher miscarriages; loss of livelihoods. | AI water sensors; women-led monitoring; AMD remediation. |
Tailings Dam Failures | Toxic slurry release from dam collapses. | Downstream villages, Indigenous lands | Women displaced; GBV risks in shelters. | Satellite dam monitoring; women in safety inspections; community relocation. |
Groundwater Depletion | Aquifer loss due to mining withdrawals, aridification. | Small farmers, pastoralists | Women lose income; debt from water purchases. | WQQM water recycling; agricultural water quotas; drip irrigation cooperatives. |
Sedimentation | River siltation from soil erosion. | Fishing communities, urban populations | Women lose fish market income; time filtering water. | Reforestation; gender-sensitive sediment traps; erosion fines to community funds. |
Acid Mine Drainage | Acidic water leaching from mines. | Children, elderly, farmers | Skin diseases; impacts on breastfeeding. | Phytoremediation; women-trained AMD units; corporate remediation bonds. |
Waterborne Diseases | Cholera, dysentery, heavy metal poisoning. | Children, informal miners | Women care for sick; girls miss school. | Decentralized filtration; mobile clinics; sex-disaggregated health tracking. |
Stakeholder Group | Role/Responsibility | Interests/Motivations | Influence Level | Key Challenges |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mining Companies | Operational management, water use, tailings dam safety, CSR initiatives. | Profitability, regulatory compliance, resource access, community relations. | High | Profit vs. sustainability trade-offs; resistance to gender-inclusive policies. |
Local Communities | Provide local knowledge, participate in DRR planning, monitor water quality. | Safe water access, health, cultural preservation, livelihood security. | Medium | Underrepresentation in decision-making; lack of technical/resources. |
Government Agencies | Policy enforcement, licensing, disaster response coordination. | Economic growth, environmental compliance, social stability. | High | Corruption; fragmented policies; limited gender-sensitive DRR frameworks. |
NGOs and Advocacy Groups | Advocate for marginalized groups, conduct independent audits, promote inclusive DRR. | Environmental justice, gender equity, transparency. | Medium | Limited funding; restricted access to mining sites; reliance on corporate cooperation. |
Academia/Research | Provide technical expertise (e.g., WQQM systems), risk assessments, policy recommendations. | Data-driven solutions, sustainable mining practices. | Medium | Limited implementation power; dependence on industry partnerships. |
International Donors | Fund water management projects, enforce ESG compliance in mining investments. | Climate resilience, SDG alignment, risk reduction. | Medium | Bureaucratic delays; misalignment with local priorities. |
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Siddique, A.; Tan, Z.; Rashid, W.; Ahmad, H. Sustainable Water-Related Hazards Assessment in Open Pit-to-Underground Mining Transitions: An IDRR and MCDM Approach at Sijiaying Iron Mine, China. Water 2025, 17, 1354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091354
Siddique A, Tan Z, Rashid W, Ahmad H. Sustainable Water-Related Hazards Assessment in Open Pit-to-Underground Mining Transitions: An IDRR and MCDM Approach at Sijiaying Iron Mine, China. Water. 2025; 17(9):1354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091354
Chicago/Turabian StyleSiddique, Aboubakar, Zhuoying Tan, Wajid Rashid, and Hilal Ahmad. 2025. "Sustainable Water-Related Hazards Assessment in Open Pit-to-Underground Mining Transitions: An IDRR and MCDM Approach at Sijiaying Iron Mine, China" Water 17, no. 9: 1354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091354
APA StyleSiddique, A., Tan, Z., Rashid, W., & Ahmad, H. (2025). Sustainable Water-Related Hazards Assessment in Open Pit-to-Underground Mining Transitions: An IDRR and MCDM Approach at Sijiaying Iron Mine, China. Water, 17(9), 1354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091354