This article presents a case study that demonstrates the applicability of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric data to land surface deformation monitoring in areas affected by underground mining. The results presented include data from two objects located in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in Poland. The limits of coordinate and displacement accuracy are determined by comparing UAV-derived photogrammetric products to reference data. Vertical displacements are determined based on differences between digital surface models created using UAV imagery from several measurement series. Interpretation problems related to vegetation growth on the terrain surface that significantly affect vertical displacement error are pointed out. Horizontal displacements are determined based on points of observation lines established in the field for monitoring purposes, as well as based on scattered situational details. The use of this type of processing is limited by the need for unambiguous situational details with clear contours. Such details are easy to find in urbanized areas but difficult to find in fields and meadows. In addition, various types of discontinuous deformations are detected and their development over time is presented. The results are compared to forecasted land deformations. As a result of the data processing, it has been estimated that the accuracy of the determination of XY coordinates and the horizontal displacements (RMS) in best case scenario is on the level of 1.5–2 GSD, and about 2–3 GSD for heights and subsidence.

Seismic phenomena threaten land-based buildings, structures, and infrastructure and can transform land topography. There are two basic types of seismic phenomena, namely, tectonic and anthropogenic, which differ mainly in epicenter depth, surface impact range, and magnitude (energy). This article shows how a land surface was changed by a series of seven rock mass tremors of magnitude M_L = 2.3–2.6 in March–May 2017. Their immediate cause was the “momentary” acceleration of void clamping, which was activated by local and short-term seismic phenomena caused by human activity. The induced seismic events resulted from the geological structure of the rock mass, which in the specific region of examination was classified as being highly prone to mining tremors. The authors focused on describing vertical surface displacements in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in the south of Poland. The surface deformations were identified using DInSAR technology, which allows quasi-continuous monitoring of large areas of land surface. The present research used freely available data from the Copernicus Program and seismic data from the European Plate Observing System.

The change in the European Union’s policy related to the energy transformation of Europe and the departure from fossil energy resources may contribute to the accelerated closure of many coal mines. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem of surface subsidence after the end of underground mining and the related suitability of post-mining areas for the re-use of the so-called problem of the reclamation of post-mining areas. In the case of areas suitable for re-use, it is necessary to determine the value of the final subsidence. It is also important to specify the time after which mining influences will no longer have a significant impact on the surface infrastructure and the environment. Analyses of the observed subsidence after the end of the mining operation indicate that this process may last from several months to several dozens or even several hundreds of years. It depends on the individual characteristics of the mining area, including the depth of exploitation, mining system, the behavior of the surrounding rock mass, etc. The article presents an in-depth analysis of residual subsidence and its duration using the proprietary forecasting method and the Gauss–Markov algorithm based on the example of the German Lohberg mine (Ruhr District), whose mining activity was completed in January 2006.

While the cessation of underground mining operations reduces immediate risks to surface structures, it does not fully eliminate long-term surface hazards, which can hinder the sustainable development of post-mining communities. This study presents a combination of analytical and practical methods to quantitatively assess these persistent hazards, focusing on three critical areas: the risk of surface instability from discontinuous phenomena at shallow road headings, the progression of subsidence after mining has ceased, and surface uplift due to rising mine water levels. By providing practical examples, this research highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and hazard assessment to support sustainable land use in former mining regions. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of post-mining environmental impacts, offering valuable insights into mitigating surface risks that can influence local sustainability efforts. This study supports the global drive toward sustainable development by addressing the long-term effects of resource extraction on land stability and community resilience.

Mining operations disrupt the structure of rock layers, leading to surface deformations and potential mining damage. This issue has been extensively studied since the 19th century using various analytical, geometric-integral, and stochastic methods. Since the 1990s, numerical methods have been increasingly applied to determine changes in the stress and strain states of rock masses due to mining activities. These methods account for numerous additional factors influencing surface deformation, offering significant advantages over classical approaches. However, modelling rock masses presents challenges, particularly in calibrating the mechanical parameters of rock layers, an area extensively researched with numerous publications. In this study, we determined the mechanical parameter values of rock layers at the advancing mining front using a custom Python script and Finite Element Method (FEM) numerical models. We also introduced a modification to evaluate the error of the estimated parameter values. Numerical analyses were conducted for the Piast–Ziemowit mine region in Poland, utilizing mining, geological, and surveying data. Our results demonstrate that accurate calibration of mechanical parameters is crucial for reliable predictions of surface deformations. The proposed methodology enhances the precision of numerical models, providing a more robust framework for assessing the impact of mining activities on rock layers.

The aim of the article was to verify the possibility of using open source digital image analysis software to determine the particle shape. Devices using laser diffraction or dynamic image analysis could be used to determine size and shape of particles. However, the laboratory devices for digital image analysis are relatively expensive. For this reason, it was decided to use open source digital image analysis software Fiji Is just ImageJ and mobile phone with a 12 Mpx camera. Coarse aggregates of basalt and granite were used in the study. Flakiness index (FI) and shape index (SI) were determined using two methods: in accordance with the European Standard and with the use of digital image analysis (reference method). Based on the obtained results it was found that there is an appropriate relationship between the European Standard method and the reference method.