This paper presents a methodology for determining the uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength of heterogeneous material composed of dacite (D) and altered dacite (AD). A zone of gradual transition from altered dacite to dacite was observed in the rock mass. The mechanical properties of the rock material in that zone were determined by laboratory tests of composite samples that consisted of rock material discs. However, the functional dependence on the strength parameter alteration of the rock material (UCS, intact UCS of the rock material, and m_i) with an increase in the participation of “weaker” rock material was determined based on the test results of uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength. The participation of altered dacite directly affects the mode and mechanism of failure during testing. Uniaxial compressive strength (σ_ci^UCS) and intact uniaxial compressive strength (σ_ci^TX) decrease exponentially with increased AD volumetric participation. The critical ratio at which the uniaxial compressive strength of the composite sample equals the strength of the uniform AD sample was at a percentage of 30% AD. Comparison of the obtained exponential equation with practical suggestions shows a good correspondence. The suggested methodology for determining heterogeneous rock mass strength parameters allows us to determine the influence of rock material heterogeneity on the values σ_ci^UCS, σ_ci^TX, and constant m_i. Obtained σ_ci^TX and constant m_i dependences define more reliable rock material strength parameter values, which can be used, along with rock mass classification systems, as a basis for assessing rock mass parameters. Therefore, it is possible to predict the strength parameters of the heterogeneous rock mass at the transition of hard (D) and weak rock (AD) based on all calculated strength parameters for different participation of AD.

The bucket-wheel dredge “Kovin I” for underwater coal mining with bucket-wheel type UCW-450 has been in operation for over 20 years. Based on analyzing the bucket-wheel dredger performance, productivity, maintenance costs, and reliability, a rational decision was made: to rehabilitate the most essential parts of the dredge, including the bucket wheel and the gearbox. However, the selection and construction of the excavator parts were performed on the ground of available laboratory data for digging resistance. The data itself was determined by the testing methodology that did not include the influence of surrounding water pressure at a certain depth of mining. According to the previous findings, it was necessary to develop a specific research and testing program that would involve appropriate laboratory testing of the geomechanical parameters. These were to represent the influence of hydrostatic water pressure on the working environment—coal. Nevertheless, geomechanical laboratory research tests were initially modified to provide reliable data of cutting resistance, especially in the water under different hydrostatic pressures, fully simulating the “in situ” working conditions of mining, i.e., cutting.

A detailed analysis of the accident that occurred at the flotation tailings storage facility (TSF) at the inactive mine “Stolice” in 2014 is provided in this paper. All factors that caused the accident have been analyzed, with a review of the consequences of the accident, their accident class according to the Global Industry Standard on Tailings (GISTM), and the implemented measures to rehabilitate the TSF and the surrounding area after the accident. It has been concluded that the TSF had not been properly maintained even before the accident occurred and that the unfavorable weather conditions in Serbia in the May of that year contributed to the filtration disturbance and multiple tailings spillages from the TSF. It has been stated that the consequences according to the GISTM span from “low” to “significant”, with the group of environmental consequences having the highest rank (3). Although the accident occurred without recorded human casualties, with the damage being of a local nature, it is considered one of the most significant accidents at a TSF in Serbia in the last 20 years. The reconstructed TSF is considered stable now, with a low-to-medium risk of failure.