Starting from the general principles of material cutting, with applicability to coal and overburden excavation using bucket wheel excavators (BWEs), this paper proposes another method for calculating the drive power of the bucket wheel excavator by computer modeling. This approach required two steps. In the first step, the volume of the excavated material for one slewing movement of the boom and for a particular excavation geometry was determined, and the slewing time in the open pit coal mine was measured. In the second one, the values of the specific energy (SE) consumption for cutting were determined by laboratory tests on samples of material taken from the open pit mine. The proposed method allows for the estimation of the load of the bucket wheel drive motor by taking into account only the specific energy necessary for the cutting of the material, the excavated volume during one slewing, and the time required to excavate this volume, and not the wear coefficients of the teeth or bucket edge. This method is important for establishing the correlation between the height of the excavated slice and the slewing speed of the boom in order to optimize the drive power of the bucket wheel and thus improve energy efficiency, increase the performance of excavators, and reduce operating costs.

Dewatering involves reducing level of flooding of field by various technical measure. This paper studies the methods of dewatering involving reducing the level of flooding of field by various technical measure water from surface quarries with the help of horizontal drilling. Horizontal drilling does not cause discomfort at the level of exploitation works, transport and storage of deposits being a very efficient method. This has a great advantage both in terms of efficiency and the level of the environment because it eliminates land cover.

This paper explores the integration of two essential sustainability concepts—reuse and conversion—into primary and secondary school education. These concepts are key components of the circular economy and directly align with Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Reuse focuses on extending the life of products by utilizing them multiple times without reprocessing, whereas conversion involves transforming waste or unwanted materials into new products with added value. Through practical activities, such as creative reuse projects and innovative conversion initiatives, students can gain a handson understanding of how these principles help conserve resources, reduce environmental impact, and lower production costs. The paper highlights the significant role of education in promoting green thinking from an early age, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to make responsible choices that benefit both the economy and the environment. By fostering awareness and encouraging sustainable practices in schools, this approach aims to instill lifelong ecological responsibility in young learners, preparing them to address future environmental challenges. The analysis also draws comparisons between industrial applications of these concepts and their potential to inspire sustainable behavior among students.

This paper studies the Roșia Jiu quarry area in Romania. This research highlights the working method of hydraulic excavators and the values of particles released into the atmosphere by them. Improving technological equipment not only helps build a better world, but also restores and preserves the environment. The measurements were made during 2020, using DSM501A sensors, which were located at four points in the quarry, namely in the north, southeast and west of the quarry.

Navigable waterways are essential for transportation, trade, and regional development, yet they are increasingly affected by oil pollution generated by intensive maritime traffic and industrial activities. Oil contamination threatens aquatic ecosystems, reduces water quality, and affects biodiversity and economic activities dependent on river systems. This study proposes an innovative and sustainable solution for oil spill mitigation through the development of a solarpowered autonomous or semi-autonomous boat designed to collect oil from the water surface and convert the recovered waste into biodiesel.The proposed system integrates floating collection arms, an oil–water separation unit, a filtration system, and a hybrid solar-electric propulsion system that enables energy-efficient and environmentally friendly operation. The concept is tested for potential deployment on the Danube River, one of Europe’s most important navigable waterways, particularly in areas affected by oil pollution from commercial vessels.The system performance is evaluated based on oil recovery efficiency, separation and filtration performance, and improvements in water quality parameters. Results indicate that the system could recover up to 80–90% of surface oil, while separation and filtration processes may achieve efficiencies above 95% and 98%, respectively. In addition to reducing pollution, the recovered oil can be processed into biodiesel, supporting circular economy principles and contributing to sustainable waterway management.