Transformation of underground water levels in urban territory at the final stage of mining operations at the Chernovskoe brown coal deposit

The geological and hydrogeological conditions of the Chernovskoe brown coal field are considered. The research focuses on the analysis of changes in hydrogeological conditions in mined-out areas towards the safety and ecological security of settlements in the Chernovsky district of the Chita city. The article describes the mining stages in the Chernovskoe brown coal field. Coal mining was carried out alongside with mine pumping and rock mass drainage. Depression craters formed in the areas of operating mines, and sinks appeared above the mined-out areas. After closure of coal mines, the hydrogeodynamic, hydrogeochemical and geoecological conditions in the Chernovsky district changed. The characteristic features of the anthropogenic impact on underground and surface water after the termination of mine drainage are identified and described. The article summarizes new data on the topic under study, presents the occurrence conditions of aquifers, and describes the altered groundwater patterns. The mining-induced aftereffects in the territory of the mined-out brown coal deposit are characterized: flooding of the early mined-out adjacent territories; pollution of ground and surface water; formation of manmade reservoirs; deformation of the ground surface above underground excavations. The necessity of the groundwater protection measures in the territory of the Chernovsky district in Chita is substantiated.

Vasyutich L. A., Sidorova G. P. Transformation of underground water levels in urban territory at the final stage of mining operations at the Chernovskoe brown coal deposit. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(3-2):29-36. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_32_0_29.

Vasyutich L. A.¹, Cand. Sci. (Geol. Mineral.), Mining Geological Engineer, Assistant Professor, e-mail: lyudmila-vasyuti@mail.ru;
Sidorova G. P.¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), mining engineer-hydrogeologist, Professor of the Department of Applied Geology and Geological Exploration Technology, e-mail: druja@ inbox.ru.
¹ Transbaikal State University, Russia.

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