Positive and negative environmental effects of closed mines and its countermeasures

In order to scientifically address the environmental problems,effectively develop and utilize the drivaged roadways,the mined space,the ground facilities and the associated resources after closing a huge amount of mines, based on applied hydrogeology,engineering geology,environmental science and mining science,the positive and nega- tive environmental effects of closed mines have been comprehensively studied,also the targeted development and utili- zation and the countermeasures have been presented to draw on advantages and avoid harms. The research shows that the closed mines will lead to negative environmental effects including inferior coal mine water,groundwater and surface water pollution,harm of urban and rural water supply,secondary collapse and landslide of surface,influencing the stability of the high-rise building foundation,and building rupture. However,the closed mines also bring about positive impacts on storing crops,oil,municipal waste,and industrial “ three wastes”,planting,breeding,and controlling flood in flood season. Meanwhile, the closed mines can also be developed to be utilized as underground in-situ testing ground,military defense,sanatorium,underground city,tourism,education,leisure,and photovoltaic power station etc. Furthermore,the closed mines are also employed to generate electricity by making use of potential energy difference and electricity price difference,extract geothermal energy,coalbed methane,water and other associated resources. In this work,the countermeasures and suggestions were proposed such as:continuously organizing geological work at the end period of mine life,archiving the mining data,carrying out monographic study,monitoring geological environment, preventing geological hazards and environmental pollution,reinforcing mine water prevention in adjacent mines,formu- lating relevant regulations and technical standards for development and utilization of the closed mines,combining with local economic development,financing in multi-channel,taking reasonable measures to prevent the emergence of new negative ecological effects in the process of developing and utilizing the positive effects of closed mines.