The successful exploration of dimension stone mainly depends on the quality, size, and shape of extractable blocks of dimension stone. The investigated area is in the Pelješac Peninsula (Croatia), in the External Dinarides orogeny, built from thick carbonate succession, characterized by relatively small deposits of high-quality dimension stone. These conditions demand challenging geological investigations in the “pre-quarry” phase to find optimal quarry location. The size and shape of dimension stone blocks are mainly controlled by fracture pattern systems. In the rugged, covered terrains, it is very hard to obtain a satisfactory amount of fracture data from the surface, so it is necessary to collect them from the underground. Borehole camera technology can visualize the inner part of the rock mass and measure the fracture characteristics. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) the digital borehole camera technology provides a quick, effective, and low-cost geological survey of fractured rock mass; (2) statistical fracture distribution parameters, P₁₀, fracture spacing, Volumetric Joint Count (J_v) based on borehole wall survey can reflect the integrity of rock mass, providing a solid decision-making base for further investment plans and dimension stone excavation method.

Open-pit mines of mineral raw materials play a key role in the development of society and economy. However, their construction and operation often have a significant environmental footprint, which includes physical, chemical and biological changes in the natural environment. This paper investigates the environmental impacts of open-pit mining and emphasizes the importance of integral use of the affected area in order to minimize negative impacts and at the same time promote their beneficial functions. The paper presents examples of rehabilitation and repurposing of open-pit mines and the possible multifunctional use of space. Key words: open-pit mining, environmental footprints, integral use of space, rehabilitation and repurposing