Spatial Decision Support System for Multi-Risk Assessment of Post-Mining Hazards

The closure of coal and lignite mines has the potential to result in long-term environmental risks and socio-economic issues. The concept described in this article aims to improve the hazard assessment and risk management of former mining regions in a European project funded by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel. A multidisciplinary approach integrates historic, geological, topographical, environmental and socio-economic aspects to support stakeholders at different decision-making levels in the risk assessment and possible mitigation. The individual hazards (post-mining, natural, and technical) are weighted using expert knowledge, their interaction analyzed, and then combined into a spatial multi-hazard index. Together with the other risk factors of social vulnerability and exposure a comprehensive, spatial risk map can be created automatically for individual regions using open-source components. In addition, GIS and statistical tools enable further analysis and visualization for decision-making by the relevant stakeholders. The methodology is validated through the examination of case studies conducted in various European countries within the scope of the project.