Development of Methodological Approaches to Environmental Evaluation of the Influence of Man-made Massifs on the Environmental Objects

Man-made wastes generated as a result of development of mineral deposits negatively affect the components of the environment and the health of the population, therefore the object of research is environmental safety of the functioning of mining enterprises.To analyze the impact of man-made massifs on the environment, the Leopold matrix is used, which is formed for a typical bulk man-made massifs (rock dump and sludge depository) at various stages of their life cycle. For the complex multifactorial evaluation of the consequences of the influence of rock dumps and sludge depositories on the components of the environment, Harrington's logistic function is used.Environmental consequences of waste disposal of mining enterprises in rock dumps are investigated. The most dangerous types of impact on the components of the environment during the operation of rock dumps are geomechanical changes in the relief, pollution of aquifers and the atmosphere. The total impact on environmental objects during the exploitation of man-made massifs in the form of rock dumps is estimated at 115 points, and after completion of their operation, significantly less - in 66 points.An evaluation of environmental condition of the areas adjacent to the sludge depositories of waste from mining and processing of minerals is made. The greatest danger to the components of the environment during the operation of sludge depositories is the contamination of aquifers and anthropogenic eutrophication of surface water bodies. The total impact on environmental objects during operation of slurry storage is estimated at 107 points, and after their operation – 98 points.A methodological approach to the environmental evaluation of mining sites is developed, which includes the following stages:– collection, processing and systematization of information on volumes and component composition of waste;– compilation of checklists of environmental consequences of waste disposal at various stages of the life cycle of man-made massifs;– environmental evaluation of danger levels of man-made massifs;– identification of environmental components that are most affected by waste sites;– development of environmental decisions and effectiveness evaluation of their implementation.The implementation of the proposed methodology will make it possible to comprehensively evaluate the environmental risks of certain technological links of mining enterprises, and develop ways to minimize them. This will reduce the levels of environmental pollution and increase the comfort of living in the mining regions