Impact of a Mining Facility on the Environment, on the Example of the Hard Coal Mine LW Bogdanka (Poland)

Abstract

The basic criterion for the proper functioning of industrial facilities is to maintain balance in the natural environment. Mining activity always has a negative impact on the elements of the environment: the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. It happens that mining areas are adjacent to protected and environmentally valuable areas. Hard coal mining causes long-term and often irreversible changes in nature. That is why it is so important to conduct consistent reclamation of degraded areas. When undertaking mining activities, companies are required to identify and describe the anticipated impacts on the natural environment. The environmental impact assessment should include data on the impact on soil, air, water, landscape and humans.
The article eyvaluates the impact of hard coal mining on the natural environment using the multi-criteria AHP method and the Leopold matrix. A significant impact of the analyzed impacts was found in the case of occupation, landfill and reclamation activities. On the other hand, no negative impact of the hard coal mine on protected areas was recorded, which is a consequence of the plant's long-term pro-ecological activities.