In the process of human social development, the exploitation of underground resources, such as ores, coal, oil, and natural gas, plays a critical role in economic prosperity, cultural exchanges, and social progress. However, the underground exploitation of mineral raw materials has also led to several problems, including surface subsidence, aquifer destruction, geological disasters, and environmental damage. During the development and utilization of mineral resources, adverse phenomena such as casualties, ecological pollution, and resource waste have occurred, which do not align with the aims of safe, green, and sustainable development. To explore sustainable methods for developing and utilizing mineral raw materials, scholars are researching the mechanisms behind natural hazards and mining disasters caused by such exploitation. Assessing the safety of mining activities is critical, making a series of assessment methods a hot topic in this field. Moreover, monitoring and early warning methods, such as the collection of geophysical signals, are used to identify the precursor signals of natural hazards and mining disasters. Additionally, traditional supports are being improved to prevent these hazards. From understanding hazard mechanisms to hazard assessment, monitoring, and prevention, the goal is to achieve safe, green, and efficient exploitation of mineral raw materials.
To prevent and control natural hazards accompanying underground exploitation of mineral raw materials, scientific research and technologies, including mining theory, support methods, hazard mechanisms, monitoring and early-warning methods, and prevention and control technologies should be studied. Through this Research Topic, scholars will benefit from new theories, cutting-edge methods, and innovative technologies in these fields.
This Research Topic, titled “Natural Hazards Accompanying Underground Exploitation of Mineral Raw Materials”, aims to provide an opportunity for researchers around the globe to engage in a broader scientific and technological discussion on the underground exploitation of mineral resources such as ores, coal, oil, and natural gas. Discussion topics include, but are not limited to, basic experiments, modeling, numerical simulations, and field tests of the aforementioned research areas. Original research, case studies, and report and review articles are welcome.
Keywords: Natural hazards, Disaster prevention, Underground space utilization, Structural safety assessment, Underground Energy, Geophysics
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
