The topic of residual subsidence is important in Europe as it defines possible surface deformation for closed mine areas. It has to be determined because of potential financial claims and damages of sensitive objects such as satellite dishes, precision mechanics objects, agriculture, forestry and hydrogeology, etc. Analyses of measured subsidence after the end of mining exploitation indicate that this process can last from several months to several dozen or even several hundred years, and the final surface subsidence is not known. It is dependent on the individual’s features of excavated medium, depth of exploitation, a system of exploitation, behaviour of surrounding rock masses, etc. In the article, the authors analysed the assessment of the subsidence process after the end of mining operations, based on the innovative method. This concerns the duration of the subsidence process and the size of the expected subsidence. The methodology was applied to the RAG Aktiengesellschaft company project where prognostic calculations were made for seven closed coal mines using unique results of precise height measurements carried out for more than 90 years by the German State Office for National Measurements (Landesvermessungsamt NRW) under the so-called levelling measurements net. These measurements are carried out every 2 years and serve to keep the altitude network in the whole state of Rhineland Westphalia up-to-date. The result of the prognosis for one case study, German mine Auguste-Victoria, is presented in the article.

The article presents a method of forecasting the deformation of the land surface over large fields of underground gas storage facilities located in salt caverns. The solution allows for taking into account many parameters characterising the operation of underground gas storage facilities, such as cavern processes (leaching, enlargement, operational, etc.), their depth, distribution, diameter, shape, and many others. The advantage of the applied method over other available options is the possibility of using it for large fields of caverns while keeping the calculations simple. The effectiveness of the method has been proven for predicted surface subsidence for the EPE field with 114 underground caverns. The hypothesis was compared with the measurement outcomes.

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.

This paper presents the authors' computational methods based on Knothe's theory. The methods enable the estimation of the reduction coefficient for effects which originate from mining operations performed via the application of a longitudinal structure which is sunk in to the ground. It could be, for example, a partition, which as a structural gap fulfils the function of an expansion grout, or via breaking the subsoil continuity (e.g. because of creating a peat-filled ditch or using a natural gap). Demonstrative calculations have been carried out in a few cases, i.a. to protect a structure situated in the vicinity of a planned tunnel. Additionally, some examples of the discontinuity zone which impact the obtained deformation values have been presented. The calculation method has been tested in case studies. The results of the calculations clearly show the positive influence of the applied geotechnical solutions on the minimisation of mining damage.

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.

Underground mining exploitation creates damage in surface building structure and in underground constructions as well. For this reason, many mining companies gave up carrying out excavations in safety pillar shafts. Currently, the situation on the market is changing. The continuous increase in excavation depth combined with an increase in exploitation costs resulted in many mining companies trying to find cheaper solutions. One of the methods is to carry out partial exploitations inside safety pillar shafts. Such exploitation is much cheaper than ordinary, because it decreases the exploitations depth, the length of transportation drifts, etc. The functionality of the shaft and its infrastructure have to be fulfil. The authors present a methodology for calculating the effects of mining on mine shafts using geometric integral methods. The paper presents the assumption of the first method developed by Bals (1939), a method based on the so-called Professor Knothe Theory (1951) and the German method of Ruhrkohle (Ehrhardt and Sauer 1961). Based on these methods, operational planning rules are given for mining in protective pillars during coal bed exploitation; additionally, the dimensioning method for shaft pillars is specified. Presented solutions are illustrated with examples from mining practice, where the continuous miner system was planned in the direct area of the mining shaft.