Classification of underground mining works within the Tg. Ocna salt mine from the point of view of gas emissions

According to the new classification method, salt mines and underground work or areas where methane has not been observed but for which methane has been observed in boreholes found in rock massifs are considered to be fire mines / mine areas or mining work. This new classification allows only the effective areas of exploitation to be maintained in the wire regime, the rest of the salt mine being considered non-wire. The purpose of this paper is to determine the rate of methane (explosive gas) and carbon dioxide (oxidizing gas) in the mining operations of the Tg-Ocna salt mine, given its classification.

Creating Tourism Destinations of Underground Built Heritage—The Cases of Salt Mines in Poland, Portugal, and Romania

Salt mines, a significant category of local, regional, national, and/or European underground heritage, are becoming attractive tourism destinations. This paper examines three cases of salt mining in different European countries, namely Wieliczka in Poland, Campina de Cima in Portugal, and Turda in Romania. They are analyzed in the context of history, typical attributes of their attractiveness, and new uses after the salt extraction was or is going to be stopped, in order to detect their unique values as important assets for both Underground Built Heritage (UBH) and Salt Heritage Tourism (SHT). The results of their comparison show that despite a positive impact related to their protection as cultural and industrial heritage, there are also some negative aspects related to increasing costs of their maintenance and adaptation of salt mines to new functions and to meet the tourism needs. By putting in place measures to enhance the awareness of their values and for activating the local community, the three mines are showcases for the economic outputs for their sites and regions, as well as for increasing knowledge regarding UBH.

The Application of a Sonic Probe Extensometer for the Detection of Rock Salt Flow Field in Underground Convergence Monitoring

Special regulations have been laid down to establish the principles and requirements for the safety and serviceability of old mining workings which are adapted for tourism. To comply with these regulations the measurements were taken in the Bochnia Salt Mine, which has been in use for 800 years. The presented work demonstrates the use of a sonic probe extensometer in connection with the obtained results of displacement measurements in intact rocks surrounding the gallery. There were also test measurements carried out for determination of the real accuracy of the instrument. The presented study of deformations detected by electromagnetic extensometer measurements is presumed to be the first time that research has been made in salt mines operating in rock mass affected by tectonic stress. The paper presents the process of rock salt flow into the gallery observed over a period of 3 years. It is an unprecedented depiction of salt deformation subjected to natural stresses. One of the more surprising results presented here is the discovery of the occurrence of a specific distribution of strain around the measured gallery. The results of measurements showed that the southern part of the intact rock mass surrounding the passage is more compressed (strain rate 3.6 mm/m/year) than the northern one (strain rate 1.6 mm/m/year). This illustrates the presence and influence of additional tectonic effects resulting from the Carpathian push. These observations represent a new kind of research into tectonic stress and tectonic activity in underground measurements.

3D MODELING AND PRODUCTION SCHEDULING OF KHEWRA SALT MINES

In this study, AutoCAD based 3D Modelling of production scheduling, visualization of mining, and geological features in Khewra Salt Mines are showing. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), photogrammetry and GIS Softwares are used to generate 3D surface modelling of Khewra Salt Mining Area. Khewra Salt Mines is the oldest and largest mine of sub-continent in the Salt Range with huge salt reserves from industrial quality to piece grade. Being a state-of-the-art mine consisting of 17 levels, 70 chambers with hundreds of tunnels, a layman pattern of development and manual mining procedure is followed with handy-made planes and maps. Hundreds of levels and cross-section maps were unified to a single 3D Model, presenting all mining features like tunnels, chambers, levels, inclines, and geological deposition of different salt seams with their thickness and qualities, overburden, and surface feature. The quantity of salt excavated since the beginning of mining is calculated for corroboration, and the remaining amounts of different qualities of salt are determined from the model. 3D topographic Modelling can also be used for area, volume calculations, and planning of remedial actions for rainwater inundations inside the mine.

Thar Desert and its Natural Resources: A Case Study of the District Tharparkar in Sindh Province of Pakistan

The research study aims to display natural resources of Thar Desert area ofdistrict Tharparkar in Sindh. It is being studied over the years that DistrictTharparkar is totaled as a richest district in natural resources, such as coal,granite, salt mines, china clay, livestock, range land forest and mushrooms.The topography of the District 99% area covered in the desert which is knownas the part of Thar Desert. The Thar Desert existed into two countriesPakistan and India. The discovery of Thar Coal Reserves is one of thesignificant developments in the history of Sindh province of Pakistan whichplaced country at 7th among world top 12 richest coal reserves countries dueto its economic worth. On the basis of the previous studies; it is expected thatThar coal reserves having the potential to solve the energy crisis of Pakistan.The availability of granite is 26.05 billion tons found into 8 to 10 differentcolors in the area of Nagarparkar. Moreover, China clay extracted at 12 to 14different locations and around 2000 people employed in the different fields.Thar Desert of Pakistan has around 120 salt lakes and around 400 laborerswere employed to harvest salt. The Rangeland forests in the desert area of thedistrict represents the main source of livelihood is livestock and the areas arehighlighted the most densely populated in livestock in Sindh province ofPakistan.

Origin, distribution, and perspective health benefits of particulate matter in the air of underground salt mine: a case study from Bochnia, Poland

The composition and distribution of airborne particles in different locations in a salt mine were determined in terms of their origin, the distance from the air inlet, and the adaptation of post-mining chambers and corridors for tourists and general audience. The composition of aerosols in air was also evaluated from the perspective of human health. Air samples were collected on filters by using portable air pumps, in a historical underground salt mine in Bochnia (Poland), which is currently a touristic and recreation attraction and sanatorium. The particulate matter (PM) concentration was determined using the gravimetric method by weighing quartz filters. The content of carbon, water-soluble constituents, trace elements, and minerals was also determined. A genetic classification of the suspended matter was proposed and comprised three groups: geogenic (fragments of rock salt and associated minerals from the deposit), anthropogenic (carbon-bearing particles from tourist traffic and small amounts of fly ash, soot, and rust), and biogenic particles (occasional pollen). The total PM concentration in air varied between 21 and 79 μg/m3 (with PM4 constituting 4–24 μg/m3). The amount of atmospheric dust components coming from the surface was low and decreased with the distance from the intake shaft, thus indicating the self-cleaning process. NaCl dominated the water-soluble constituents, while Fe, Al, Ag, Mn, and Zn dominated the trace elements, with the concentration of majority of them below 30 ng/m3. These metals are released into air from both natural sources and the wear or/and corrosion of mining and tourists facilities in the underground functional space. No potentially toxic elements or constituents were detected. The presence of salt particles and salty spray in the atmosphere of salt mine, which may have anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties, is beneficial to human health. This study will allow for a broader look at the potential of halotherapy in underground salt mines from a medical and regulatory point of view.