Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Advances in Space Research, cilt.73, sa.3, ss.1667-1681, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Dump sites with broken overburden layers in surface mines have the risk of instability due to their loose bulk structures. In this study, deformations at a dump site of the Kangal/Kalburçayırı open-pit coal mine and their long-term behaviours were revealed with InSAR data for a total period of 4.5 years. Firstly, 9-periods involving different time ranges were created considering the presence of LiCSAR products. Then, the deformation velocities of each period were calculated by LiCSBAS software using LiCSAR products. The area where high deformations were concentrated from the LiCSBAS result products was determined and divided into 4 zones for more detailed evaluations. At the final stage, the period-deformation velocity graphs were drawn separately for each zone with the data obtained using two different approaches from the deformation velocities of all periods, and long-term deformation behaviours were determined. More reliable future behaviour projections could be made considering the current increasing or decreasing trend of deformation behaviours. It was revealed that vertical deformations at the dump site had an increasing trend in the first periods and a decreasing trend in the later periods. Maximum vertical deformation velocities ranging between −111.4 mm/year and −178.0 mm/year in the first 4 months reached the highest values (ranging from −141.9 mm/year to −261.8 mm/year) at the end of two years and decreased to values ranging from −33.0 mm/year to −44.3 mm/year in the later periods. It was found that horizontal deformation velocities ranged between +0.5 mm/year and +55.4 mm/year in the east–west direction and between −7.0 mm/year and −56.8 mm/year in the west-east direction, were approximately 5 times lower than vertical velocities and did not have a constantly increasing or decreasing trend in any direction. It was observed that deformations exhibited a behaviour resulting from the structural property of the dump bulk material. The results of the evaluations showed that the risk of instability gradually decreased at the dump site. The methodology of this study can enable the determination of similar areas that may pose a threat in a short time, the prioritization of risky areas, the planning of more detailed studies, and taking the necessary measures in a timely manner.