Ranking of the most important groups of criteria for the selection of the underground mining method for coal deposits

The selection of the mining method for coal deposits is a very complex process that leads to the most important decision for future exploitation. This process is now implemented as a multi-criteria decision problem in which the best mining method is selected from many alternatives. In this paper, the most important groups of factors (groups of criteria) are considered to determine their influence on the mining method selection process. Six groups of criteria were considered: natural - geological conditions, technical conditions, economic conditions, technological (organisational) conditions, safety conditions and environmental protection. These criteria were ranked using the AHP method. The group decision method for ranking was applied by mining experts and managers of various underground mines in Serbia and Iran. The results show the importance of each group of criteria for selecting the best mining method for coal deposits and the differences between them. It also shows how important the process of ranking groups of criteria is for the selection of the best mining method.