Search Results (195)

This paper proposes algorithms for optimal placement of base stations (BSs) and central stations (CSs) in mining quarries to ensure reliable radio communication for automated machinery. The BS placement is modeled as a minimum dominating set problem, solved using integer linear programming with cutting-plane methods. The CS placement is formulated as a nonlinear programming problem, addressed via a minimum circle covering algorithm. Applied in a 200 km² quarry, the approach achieves full coverage with nine BSs and one CS, minimizing costs and ensuring robust performance. Comparative analyses show superior optimality, scalability, and adaptability, offering a scalable framework for industrial communication infrastructure. Full article

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) refers to the formation of calcium carbonate driven by microbial metabolic processes, such as ureolysis. As an emerging biocementation technique, MICP has garnered attention for various applications in environmental and civil engineering. This study evaluated the feasibility of MICP implementation in a limestone mine. Ureolytic bacteria were isolated from an active limestone quarry at Mt. Buko, Saitama, Japan. Located at an elevation above 1000 m, the site represents a low-temperature environment with an average annual temperature of ~10 °C. The representative isolates, Rhodococcus sp. strains L6 and L8, exhibited tolerance to key environmental factors relevant to MICP applications in the limestone-rich settings, including alkaline pH, high calcium levels, and elevated urea concentrations. Additionally, both strains were psychrotolerant, maintaining growth and urease activity at temperatures as low as 5 °C. Notably, both strains induced calcite crystal formation at 10 °C and 5 °C, although the reaction was slower at 5 °C. Furthermore, strain L6 demonstrated the ability to induce MICP on limestone surfaces, effectively sealing rock fissures. These findings suggest that indigenous microbes retain metabolic activity in the limestone mine and are well suited for MICP applications. Full article

Blast-induced airblast poses a significant environmental and operational issue for surface mining, affecting safety, regulatory adherence, and the well-being of surrounding communities. Despite advancements in machine learning methods for predicting airblast, present studies neglect essential geomechanical characteristics, specifically rock mass strength (RMS), which is vital for energy transmission and pressure-wave attenuation. This paper presents a capuchin search algorithm-optimized multilayer perceptron (CapSA-MLP) that incorporates RMS, hole depth (HD), maximum charge per delay (MCPD), monitoring distance (D), total explosive mass (TEM), and number of holes (NH). Blast datasets from a granite quarry were utilized to train and test the model in comparison to benchmark approaches, such as particle swarm optimized artificial neural network (PSO-ANN), multivariate regression analysis (MVRA), and the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM) equation. CapSA-MLP outperformed PSO-ANN (RMSE = 1.120, R² = 0.904 compared to RMSE = 1.284, R² = 0.846), whereas MVRA and USBM exhibited lower accuracy. Sensitivity analysis indicated RMS as the main input factor. This study is the first to use CapSA-MLP with RMS for airblast prediction. The findings illustrate the significance of metaheuristic optimization in developing adaptable, generalizable models for various rock types, thereby improving blast design and environmental management in mining activities. Full article

Blasting operations in surface mining pose a risk of flyrock, which is a critical safety concern for both personnel and infrastructure. This study presents the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and photogrammetric techniques to improve the accuracy of blast design, particularly in relation to controlling burden values and reducing flyrock. The research was conducted in a basalt quarry in Lower Silesia, where high rock fracturing complicated conventional blast planning. A DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise UAV was used to capture high-resolution aerial imagery, and 3D models were created using Strayos software. These models enabled precise analysis of bench face geometry and burden distribution with centimeter-level accuracy. The results showed a significant improvement in identifying zones with improper burden values and allowed for real-time corrections in blasthole design. Despite a ten-fold reduction in the number of images used, no loss in model quality was observed. UAV-based surveys followed software-recommended flight paths, and the application of this methodology reduced the flyrock range by an average of 42% near sensitive areas. This approach demonstrates the operational benefits and enhanced safety potential of integrating UAV-based photogrammetry into blasting design workflows. Full article

Mining activities in a quarry significantly interfere with the landscape, weaken its ecological functions, disrupt the continuity of habitats and change its natural character. The aim of this study is to present a robust, transparent, and participatory methodological framework centered on the Reclamation Quality Index, which enables a comprehensive and repeatable assessment of reclamation quality. At a time when the restoration of functional, ecologically stable and long-term sustainable landscapes is increasingly important, there is a need for reliable tools to assess the quality of restoration. This article presents an original methodology for the evaluation of quarry reclamation, which combines scientific precision with practical applicability. The proposed Reclamation Quality Index is built on multidisciplinary foundations and uses the Delphi methodology, through which expert knowledge and weighted preferences enter the evaluation process. A tool designed in this way makes it possible to quantify the quality of land restoration, identify the benefits of individual interventions, support effective planning, and strengthen the strategic management of post-mining transformation. At the same time, the Reclamation Quality Index creates space for the application of the principles of ecological stability and integration of the landscape as a living, dynamic system in the process of restoration. With its structure and philosophy, the methodology represents a prospective approach to the evaluation and planning of the post-extraction landscape. Its application goes beyond academia, as it can serve as a support for environmental policymaking, landscape planning, and assessing the quality of restoration in practice. Full article

This study presents a discrete event simulation model to minimize operating costs in quarry mining processes by determining the optimal allocation of backhoes and dump trucks, which are the primary mining equipment. The modeling focuses on four principal vehicle types (24-ton dump truck, 2.0 m³ backhoe, 41-ton dump truck, 4.64 m³ backhoe) commonly deployed in quarry mining. The simulation replicates the sequential mining stages involving soil removal, rock ripping (weathered rock or weathered soil), and blasting operations. This methodology is applied to a case study of mining process planning under resource constraints, incorporating real-world quarry conditions in South Korea. Results demonstrate that optimizing the number of equipment units reduces construction costs and shortens the construction period by decreasing dump truck waiting times. When the number of backhoes is limited to 10 during operations, findings indicate an increase in costs and a gradual decline in net profit. Additionally, the interaction between the 24-ton and 41-ton dump trucks is shown to influence the optimal allocation strategy. The simulation-based optimization executes iterative experiments for each scenario, yielding statistically robust results within a 95% confidence interval, thereby supporting informed decision-making for managers. Full article

Macrophytes are important components of aquatic ecosystems performing essential ecological functions. Their species composition and density reflect the ecological status of water bodies. The optimal ratio of morphological types of macrophytes is an important condition for preventing eutrophication. The aim of the study is to analyse the species composition, distribution, and density of macrophytes in the Vyzhyvka River (Ukraine) in a seasonal aspect (2023–2024) under constant physical and chemical characteristics of water. To assess the seasonal dynamics of water quality, changes in indicators in three representative areas were analysed. The MIR method of environmental indexation of watercourses was used to assess the ecological state of the river. The water quality in the Vyzhyvka River at all test sites corresponds to the second class of the “good” category with the trophic status of “mesotrophic”. This is confirmed by the identified species diversity, which includes 64 species of higher aquatic and riparian plants. Among the various morphological types of macrophytes, submerged rooted forms account for only 10.56% of the total species composition. To ensure a functional balance between submerged and other forms of macrophytes, a scientifically based approach is proposed, which involves the use of mineral raw materials of local origin, in particular, mining and quarrying wastes rich in silicon, calcium and other mineral components. The results obtained are of practical value for water management, environmental protection, and ecological reclamation and can be used to develop effective measures to restore river ecosystems. Full article

It is vital to stabilize pillar dams in underground reservoirs in coal mine goafs to protect groundwater resources and quarry safety, practice green mining, and protect the ecological environment. Considering the actual occurrence of coal pillar dams in underground reservoirs, acoustic emission (AE) mechanical tests were performed on dry, naturally absorbed, and soaked coal samples. According to the mechanical analysis, Quantitative analysis revealed that dry samples exhibited the highest mechanical parameters (peak strength: 12.3 ± 0.8 MPa; elastic modulus: 1.45 ± 0.12 GPa), followed by natural absorption (peak strength: 9.7 ± 0.6 MPa; elastic modulus: 1.02 ± 0.09 GPa), and soaked absorption showed the lowest values (peak strength: 7.2 ± 0.5 MPa; elastic modulus: 0.78 ± 0.07 GPa). The rate of mechanical deterioration increased by ~25% per 1% increase in moisture content. It was identified that the internal crack development presented a macrofracture surface initiating at the sample center and expanding radially outward, and gradually expanding to the edges by adopting AE seismic source localization and the K-means clustering algorithm. Soaked absorption was easier to produce shear cracks than natural absorption, and a higher water content increased the likelihood. The b-value of the AE damage evaluation index based on crack development was negatively correlated with the rock damage state, and the S-value was positively correlated, and both effectively characterized it. The research results can offer reference and guidance for the support design, monitoring, and warning of coal pillar dams in underground reservoirs. (The samples were tested under two moisture conditions: (1) ‘Soaked absorption’—samples fully saturated by immersion in water for 24 h, and (2) ‘Natural absorption’—samples equilibrated at 50% relative humidity and 25 °C for 7 days). Full article

Quarrying is a key driver in economic growth but also poses significant environmental impacts, particularly on groundwater resources. With approximately 4000 active quarries and diverse hydrological and hydrogeological conditions across Italy, the need for effective regulations that ensure both sustainable extraction and groundwater protection is paramount. This study analyzed the European directives, national legislation, and regional quarrying plans governing extractive activities, with a particular focus on groundwater protection. By analyzing the Italian quarries and their main hydrogeological characteristics, the most prevalent hydrogeological scenarios associated with quarrying activities across the country have been identified. The findings reveal significant gaps in the current regulatory framework, characterized by fragmentation and inconsistency across regions. Critical concerns across the quarry lifecycle (planning, excavation, and reclamation) are not comprehensively addressed, and mandatory monitoring and safeguard requirements are lacking. A more structured regulatory approach could incorporate key parameters identified in this study, particularly quarry size and groundwater level depth relative to the excavation plan. Additionally, hydrogeological vulnerability must be considered to guide risk assessment, particularly for alluvial and limestone hydrogeological complexes, which host a substantial number of Italian quarries and require stricter safeguards due to their high susceptibility to contamination and hydrodynamic alterations. Full article

Significant morphological transformations resulting from open-pit mining activities always present major problems with site safety and slope stability. This study investigates an active marble quarry in Dinar, Türkiye by combining geospatial analysis and photogrammetry based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Acquired in 2024 and 2025, high-resolution images were combined with dense point clouds produced by Structure from Motion (SfM) methods. Iterative Closest Point (ICP) registration (RMSE = 2.09 cm) and Multiscale Model-to-Model Cloud Comparison (M3C2) analysis was used to quantify the surface changes. The study found a volumetric increase of 7744.04 m³ in the dump zones accompanied by an excavation loss of 8359.72 m³, so producing a net difference of almost 615.68 m³. Surface risk factors were evaluated holistically using a variety of morphometric criteria. These measures covered surface variation in several respects: their degree of homogeneity, presence of any unevenness or texture, verticality, planarity, and linearity. Surface variation > 0.20, roughness > 0.15, and verticality > 0.25 help one to identify zones of increased instability. Point cloud modeling derived from UAVs and GIS-based spatial analysis were integrated to show that morphological anomalies are spatially correlated with possible failure zones. Full article

Ammonia is a critical compound for numerous industrial processes; however, the conventional methods for its production present substantial environmental challenges. Co-producing biofuels and ammonia from biomass through anaerobic digestion offers a promising alternative to address these concerns. This study presents a theoretical assessment of the co-production of biomethane and ammonia from microalgae and cyanobacteria, utilising water from abandoned mine and quarry pit-lakes—specifically focusing on the Alessandria district as a case study. The analysis is based on the average values reported in the literature for the anaerobic digestion of selected biomass types. The results highlight Arthrospira platensis, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella spp., and Chlorella pyrenoidosa as the most promising species due to their superior yields of both ammonia and biomethane. This work aims to promote new opportunities for repurposing disused mining pit-lakes, contributing to the development of sustainable pathways for the integrated production of biofuels and ammonia. In this context, exploring integrated biorefinery systems within a bio-based economy represents an auspicious direction for future research, potentially enhancing the process efficiency and reducing costs. Full article

Abandoned pits and quarries in Ontario, Canada, are on the rise due to industrialization, leading to ecosystem disruption and soil contamination with pollutants such as cadmium, cobalt, nickel, and barium, which may leach into nearby water systems. Current rehabilitation processes are slow to initiate, and therefore, the site remains in a contaminated condition for years. Phytoremediation, which involves using plants to remove contaminants from soils, is receiving increased attention for cleaning up decommissioned mines. This type of rehabilitation is normally practiced in situ by hand-planted and managed vegetation chosen for the specific purpose of contaminant removal. This study investigated the phytoremediation potential of indigenous plants as local seed sources to rehabilitate decommissioned quarries in Ontario. This study also investigated the potential of native plants to naturalize in the disturbed areas, thus providing a natural clean-up of the contaminants. Thus, if successful, this process will also initiate the re-establishment of native wildlife in the area. Through a literature review, 74 plant species were identified as capable of remediating 20 contaminants often found on the decommissioned quarry sites. The results may help ecosystem managers to adopt environmentally sustainable strategies to clean up contaminated sites such as decommissioned mines and quarry areas. Full article

The aim of the conducted research was to assess the impact of gypsum deposit development on changes in the radiation levels of the abiotic components of the environment. For this purpose, a study of the radioactivity of water, bottom sediment, soil, gypsum and loam samples was performed. Ground-based studies of the distribution of the values of the ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma radiation and radon flux density were also carried out. It was shown that due to the high solubility of gypsum, the degree of karstification of the territory increases under the influence of meteoric waters, and as a result of the intensification of anthropogenic impact, the degree of chemical weathering of rocks increases. This leads to a coordinated change in not only the chemical but also the radiation conditions. In particular, radioactive contamination of quarry waters and areas of increased radon flux density in soil air were established. In bottom sediments, the significant correlations of ¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U activity concentrations with carbonates, organic matter and soluble salts contents, as well as Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Mo, Cd, Co, Ti and V, indicate a significant role of the anthropogenic factor in the accumulation in bottom sediments. This factor is associated with both regional atmospheric transport (¹³⁷Cs) and the activity of the mining enterprise in the study area (²³⁸U and ²³⁴U). Full article

This study investigates the factors influencing the energy consumption and reliability of haul trucks in open-pit mines and quarries, where fuel costs and the environmental impact are significant. Traditional analysis of haulage systems often overlooks crucial aspects such as energy efficiency in the specific mining environment and the effect of road configurations on truck performance. As sustainability becomes increasingly important, reducing fuel consumption not only reduces costs but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. A key focus of the study is the link between haul truck reliability and overall efficiency. Frequent breakdowns increase maintenance costs, lead to unplanned downtime, and increase fuel consumption, all of which have an impact on the environment. Reliable transport systems, on the other hand, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainability goals. The authors analyze the energy consumption of trucks in relation to vehicle performance parameters and transport route characteristics. Discrete modeling of the transport system showed the impact of the operating environment on the variability of energy consumption and vehicle reliability. The study highlights the importance of understanding specific energy consumption in order to optimize the choice of transport system, as transport costs are a major cost of resource extraction. By analyzing the effect of road quality on vehicle performance, the authors suggest that improvements to the road surface can more easily improve vehicle reliability and energy intensity than changes to other road design elements. The study presents a quantitative analysis of the impact of haul road conditions on the operational efficiency of haul trucks in mining environments. Through discrete simulation models, two scenarios were analyzed. Total operational time decreased by 11.2% when road quality improved, demonstrating the critical role of surface maintenance. Additionally, breakdown times were reduced by 44%, maintenance by 15%, and empty travel by 9% in the optimized scenario. These findings underscore the necessity of maintaining optimal road conditions to prevent substantial efficiency losses and increased maintenance costs. Full article

Ground vibration is one of the most dangerous environmental problems associated with blasting operations in mining. Therefore, accurate prediction and controlling the blast-induced ground vibration are imperative for environmental protection and sustainable development. The empirical approaches give inaccurate results, as evident in the literature. Hence, numerous researchers have started to use fast-growing soft computing approaches that are satisfying in prediction performance. However, achieving high-prediction performance and detecting prediction uncertainty is crucial, especially in blasting operations. This study aims to propose a deep ensemble model to predict the blast-induced ground vibration and quantify the prediction uncertainty, which is usually not addressed. This study used 200 published data from ten granite quarry sites in Ibadan and Abeokuta areas, Nigeria. The empirical equation (United States Bureau of Mines-based approach) was applied for comparison. The comparison of the models demonstrated that the proposed deep ensemble model achieved superior performance, offering more accurate predictions and more reliable uncertainty quantification. Specifically, it exhibited the lowest root mean square error (22.674), negative log-likelihood (4.44), and mean prediction interval width (1.769), alongside the highest $R^{2 }$value (0.77) and prediction interval coverage probability (0.95). The deep ensemble model reached the desired coverage of 95%, demonstrating that uncertainty was not underestimated or overestimated. Full article