Mining geohazards-land subsidence caused by the dewatering of opencast coal mines: The case study of the Amyntaio coal mine, Florina, Greece

Mining activities impact the nearby environment, causing the so-called mining hazards. The land subsidence phenomena caused by the dewatering of the mines are listed among the mining-induced catastrophic geohazards slowly affecting extensive areas around the opencasts. These large-scale geo-hazards are related to both hydrogeological and geotechnical factors, and they cause irreversible damages. The research presented aims to clarify all the components of the phenomenon and to establish the proper modelling procedure for the study of its mechanism. The site under investigation is the area extending at the west-northwest of the Amyntaio opencast coal mine at Florina Prefecture, Northern Greece. The overexploitation of the aquifers for the protection of the slopes turned the opencast to a large-diameter well, draining the surrounding area. The extensive land subsidence phenomena extend 3-4 km around the mine causing severe damages in two villages. The established results can be used for monitoring and predicting the impact of the particular mining hazard on the natural and human environment, without precluding further exploitation and mining of the energy resources.