APPLICATION OF GEOPHYSICAL METHODS DURING INVESTIGATION OF ABANDONED MINE WORKINGS IN THE LOCALITY STRIBRNE HORY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

References: 15th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2015, www.sgem.org, SGEM2015 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7105-33-9 / ISSN 1314-2704, June 18-24, 2015, Book1 Vol. 3, 783-790 pp

ABSTRACT
Existence of abandoned, mostly very old, mine workings can endanger civil engineering works or agricultural activities in many areas. It is difficult to predict their behaviour over time. The heterogeneity of materials of natural and/or anthropogenic mine workings can subsequently lead to either deformations or fracturing of rock massif threatening the existence of stable ground level including structures in terms of their statics. The survey in the studied locality of Stříbrné Hory was initiated due to the observation of cave-in of a medieval silver mine working. There are several mine workings documented in the area of interest on old mining maps. The objective of the survey was to verify presence of other mine workings in vicinity of the cave-in. The complex of direct and indirect methods can be utilized for discovery of actual position of mine workings. Within the design of investigation techniques, allowing uncovering of abandoned underground mine workings quickly and efficiently, the survey with GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) was included as an indirect, non-destructive method of survey. In the paper, methodology of geophysical measurements and their results are presented. They helped to clarify the directions of prolongation of probable mine workings.

Keywords: GPR, ground penetrating radar, ERT, electrical resistivity tomography, old mine workings.