Mining design is usually evaluated with different multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods when it comes to large open pit or underground ore mines, but it is not used on quarry sites. Since Croatia is mostly mining stone, the implementation of such methods in decision making of the quarry mine design is imperative but left out. In this paper, the PROMETHEE II and AHP decision-making methods are implemented on the quarry site to find out the best final quarry design contour. By implementing the MCDM methods, the best quarry model was chosen based on 22 different criteria parameters out of three final quarry designs. The chosen model is not only financially sound but also has the least environmental impact.

In response to increasing energy demands, driven by the constant need for energy commodities, a strategic shift towards adopting alternative renewable energy is today's reality. In pursuit of enhancing the efficacy of renewable energy production, with a primary focus on solar energy, the idea of using mineral exploitation fields as prospective domains for solar power plant deployment has emerged. These sites span from tens to hundreds of hectares and are presenting opportune terrains for the installation of large-scale solar infrastructure. To underscore the potential for multifunctional spatial utilization and the augmentation of solar energy integration, this research undertakes a comprehensive analysis encompassing legislative frameworks and technological modalities governing the integration of solar power facilities within exploitation fields. Drawing upon this analysis, different variants and models for solar power plant installation are presented.

Drilling and blasting, which involve the application of explosive energy to fragment the rock mass, represent one of the most employed methods of extracting mineral raw materials in surface mines. However, blasting activities can generate potential hazards, the occurrence of which is influenced by various factors. These factors can be categorised into three primary groups: natural factors (mining-geological conditions in the deposit), technical-technological factors (depending on the rock mass extraction technology) and the human factor (related to operator expertise and procedural adherence). The consequences of such events may lead to significant material damage, including harm to mining machinery, surrounding infrastructure, and even pose risks to human health and safety. On the example of the "O2" quarry, the factors that influenced material being propelled outside the safety zone defined by verified mining documentation were observed. A comprehensive risk assessment was subsequently performed to identify the underlying causes of these deviations, highlight procedural deficiencies, and prevent further incident events, i.e., for risk mitigation.

To mitigate risks to human health, environmental integrity, biodiversity, and property, the reclamation of mining sites is imperative. The previous Mining Act delineated two categories of reclamation: planned reclamation, conducted concurrently with mining operations, and unplanned reclamation, executed when planned reclamation was neglected or when unauthorized exploitation of mineral resources occurred. The revised Mining Act integrates inactive mining sites into the reclamation framework. These sites are characterized by the permanent cessation of mining activities without adequate safety measures to safeguard human health, property, biodiversity, and environmental quality, and they remain listed in the Register of Mining Sites. For inactive mining sites, two reclamation strategies are outlined: reclamation without exploitation and reclamation with exploitation. This study scrutinizes the inactive mining sites of solid mineral resources in the Republic of Croatia, as documented in the Unified Information System of Mineral Resources. Additionally, an overview of the updated Mining Act is presented, highlighting the newly established reclamation protocols for inactive mining sites and outlining the requisite procedures for their implementation.

This paper introduces a novel method for determining the optimal exploitation contour, that is, the point of transition from surface to underground exploitation of dimension stone. Exploitation of dimension stone is primarily carried out using surface mining from the main plateau, but it can also be done by underground or combined methods. The decision regarding the mining method—surface, underground, or combined—is made before mining operations commence. This occurs during preliminary, pre-investment, and investment studies. The choice of mining method primarily depends on natural, technological, environmental, and economic factors, which together form a group referred to as techno-economic factors that influence the decision in varying proportions. Using the novel method for comparing techno-economic factors, the optimal transition point (OTP) from surface to underground exploitation of dimension stone deposits was determined. The position of the OTP from surface to underground mining of dimension stone is not a constant value; it changes over time and space according to techno-economic factors.

The aim of the research is to assess the technical, environmental, and legal suitability of mining areas for dual purposes: both mineral exploitation and solar energy production. A comprehensive analysis of the Croatian legislative framework in the areas of mining, energy, spatial planning, and environmental protection was carried out. Spatial, environmental, and technical suitability were assessed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in combination with a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model (MCDM) applying the TOPSIS method. A total of 565 exploitation fields were analyzed based on twenty technical, environmental, and legal parameters. Three installation variants (Variant 1, Variant 2, Variant 3) correspond to different phases of mining operations, and three energy use models (Model 1, Model 2, Model 3) were proposed. The results confirm that exploitation fields represent a valuable but underutilized resource for the development of renewable energy sources, i.e., solar power plants installation.