Environmental-geological problems of coal mine areas induced by coal exploitation in frangible eco-environment areas—A case study of the Daliuta coal mine area, Shenmu County, Shaanxi

1:50,000 mine geological-environmental survey was carried out in order to reveal the eco-environmental and geological problems induced by large-scale coal exploitation and its effects in the Daliuta area, Shenmu County, Shaanxi. Study shows that the ground subsidence area within the Daliuta coal mine area reaches about 47.12 - 53.36 km2. The effects of coal mine development on water resources are serious, but slight on agriculture. During the past 20 years, the land desertification has been decreased yearly in the Daliuta area and its main subsidence area. The major rivers were commonly polluted seriously by sulfides, fluorides and phosphorus. River bottom sediments were polluted seriously due to heavy metal accumulation. Soils in this area have a large environmental capacity, but the cumulative heavy metal pollution should not be neglected. The Shendong Company has implemented the building of the ecological function circle, coal gangue yard reclamation, open-cut mine reclamation, comprehensive utilization of mine water, and other measurements. Those measurements have improved the eco-environment of the mine significantly. In addition, the company developed a new model of the eco-environmental protection during coal exploitation in eco-environmentally frangible areas. Based on the successful experiences and lessons about eco-environmental protection during coal resource exploitation in the area, the authors put forward a number of suggestions about the countermeasures, such as the formulation of plans of environmental protection during coal exploitation in eco-environmental frangible areas, construction of mine parks and strengthening of research on eco-environmental changes.