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.

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.

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.