Assessment of the environmental and economic impacts of mining and elimination of negative impacts of mining activities

The impact of mining activities is significant in several areas in Slovakia. Among the most serious negative impacts of mining activities on the environment is the disturbance of surface stability caused by the presence of open mined out areas underground, which can cause damage to construction objects, linear structures, risk of accidents and danger to life during the movement of people. The paper analyses the environmental impacts of gypsum mining and the establishment of the excavated area during mining activities. Attention was paid to a mining company that operates an anhydrite and gypsum mine, which is the second largest mine in Europe. The current methods of mining and proposals for new methods of foundation were presented. We have analysed the process of founding excavated spaces when mining is increased, with the financial impact and determination of the additional costs of founding the excavated space. We proposed the provision of a foundation with a financial assessment of the costliness of the process. The paper concludes with options for effectively eliminating negative impacts in mining operations.