Disposal of the Abandoned Mine Workings of Uranium Mines – Case Study of Rožná I Mine, Czech Republic

working openings is important in terms of maintaining long-term
stability. The paper describes the process of closing the mine
workings in the uranium deposit Rožná using unconsolidated
backfill. Before backfilling, it is vital to carry out preparatory work
underground for ecological, technological or economic reasons. The
mine workings backfilling using unconsolidated backfill is preceded
by calculations to determine the quantity of the backfill. The stability
of the mine workings opening is achieved using a closing sinking
platform made of reinforced concrete. The abandonment procedure
is framed within the legislation of the Czech Republic, grounded in
the handbook by the National Coal Board of Great Britain (NCB,
1982), and has been gradually amended according to the experience
with disused mine workings. The Czech legislation dealing with mine
abandonment is very advanced and may be applied to modify foreign
legislation. The abandonment procedure based on Decree 52 (1997)
proposed in this paper is complemented by safety features such as
micropilots in the sinking platform or shaft lining check-up before
the backfill. The proposed method is applicable in mines with
analogous specific conditions, such as mines free of gas hazards and
coal dust. The paper concludes with an analysis of risks likely to
occur due to incorrect mine closures.