The technogenic impact of mining on the environment is analyzed and the transition to geotechnology with stowing to reduce the impact of mining operations is proposed. The results of the research work devoted to the justification of parameters of the development of salt deposits with stowing and the definition of the influence of stowing on the dynamics of deformation of the underworked rock massif are presented. The relevance of research aimed at creating a safe and efficient technology for the transition from systems with natural maintenance of stoping space to systems with stowing has been substantiated. The results of studies on qualitative and quantitative assessment of the state of the rock massif (by the finite element method using FLAC3D software), worked out by combines, are given and the dynamics of the impact of mining operations on the rock mass and the change in the maximum stresses during the hardening of the stowing in the chambers are revealed. The numerical modeling method is used to analyze the conditions of change in the state of the underworked rock mass, to establish the mechanisms of its deformation at various stages of development. It is recommended to use this approach for geotechnical assessment of the rock mass state in conditions of using development systems of different classes.

The possibility of replacing the traditional components of the filling mass with man-made waste and the need for the use of mechanical activation of the components of the filling composite in order to improve its rheological characteristics and the strength of the mass after solidification are proved. The demand for resource-reproducing technologies that allow the most complete use of the industrial mineral resource potential of the mining and processing enterprise, which will lead to a multiplicative ecological and economic effect, is confirmed. It is necessary to introduce the re-processing of man-made waste in order to further extract the useful component to a level that meets the standards of environmental safety and economic feasibility, which would create conditions for the actual sustainable development and give some perspectives for extending the operating time of mining regions. It is established that the sustainable development of the mining and processing region is impossible without a highly efficient exploitation of natural deposits and man-made georesources in combination with an integrated approach to the development of subsurface resources.

Human civilization brings the need for energy sources and construction materials. A large amount of materials are extracted from deep and open pit mines. Mining activities are inevitably related to the large direct impact on the local environment (dewatering, landscape). A lot of spoil material is produced in the course of mining production and further processing of extracted products. Various issues of the use of waste material from empty rocks, enrichment tailings and demolition works in civil engineering as a backfilling material should be analyzed. All factors must be considered depending on the amount of the material to be used for the construction of embankments or fillings, the cost of its processing before reuse and environmental cost of the transport. The implementation of sustainable technologies may reduce the costs for the mining waste disposal in dumps, as well as minimize the negative impact of mining enterprises on the region ecology and comfort of inhabitants. The same benefits can be observed on a smaller scale when construction waste material (debris) is considered. The work presents overall conditions for abandoned working in the deposits underground development in selected regions of Russia and some experiences gathered at numerous construction sites in Poland where the working of machines (rollers, impulse compactors) imposed vibrations on neighboring areas. In order to take into account the totality of all forms of the impact of geotechnology on the natural environment and neighboring human activities in the course of extraction of the minerals and to improve measures for the rational use of natural resources, a complete change in the concept of environmental protection is necessary. It is necessary to move from purely protective measures to the planned management of natural resources and to develop a mathematical model of the impact of geotechnology on the environment. It is also crucial to increase the role of environmental issues in mining and civil engineering education at universities and specialized institutions to form a new generation of mining engineers and civil engineers who will take into account all the aspects of sustainable and responsible work.

The article addresses the issue of mining and industrial waste stored in tailings and heaps in mining areas, and it explores the existing, as well as new, ways of reducing its harmful impact on the environment. On the basis of the Russian experience in mining industry in Ural, it presents a process which makes it possible to eliminate the amassed hazardous waste, retrieve the valuable material (metals) stored in it, and use the remaining waste as backfill in order to both: store it underground (and not on the surface) and prevent the disasters caused by the collapse of the abandoned shafts, thus prolonging the functioning of the mining areas. The process includes preliminary activation treatment of materials found in industrial waste in a disintegrator to protect the environment from toxic pollution. The promising results of the experiment have been discussed, taking into account the complexities of economic evaluation of the idea.

The analysis of the technogenic impact of mining on the environment was carried out. A transition to geotechnology with backfill is proposed in order to reduce the impact of mining operations. The paper presents the results of research aimed at finding the parameters of the technology for mining salt deposits with backfill and the determination of the backfilling influence on the dynamics of deformation of the undermined rock mass. The results of studies on the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the rock mass behavior (by the finite element method with the use of the FLAC3D software), extracted by the harvesters, are given. The research shows the influence of mining on the mass, changes in the maximum stresses during the cementing of the paste backfill in the stopes. It is recommended to use this approach in geotechnical assessment of the rock mass behavior in the conditions of using development systems of various classes.