Jeremenko (Jeremenko water pit complex)

Location: The Moravian-Silesian Region, Ostrava area

Brief history

The digging of the ventilation shaft Jeremenko #2 and the mine shaft Jeremenko #1 took place from 1891 to 1896 and they were gradually deepened from 1914, 1917 to 1919 and 1942 to 1943. In 1943, digging began on a new mine shaft, Jeremenko #3 and was completed in 1961 to a total depth of 1 062 m. Mining for black coal was began towards the close of the 19th century and ended in 1992. The Jeremenko site includes areas without mining. At the initiation of constriction programs in 1991, the facility was part of the former Ostrava Mine in the Vítkovice mining district. The details of the site, its mines and area are included under the heading for the Ostrava area.

Type of activity

Underground mining of black coal using directional drilling without filling the mined-out space in horizontal and slanted coal seams.

Present-day conditions

Shaft Jeremenko #2 has been dismantled; shafts Jeremenko #1 and 3 serve as mine water pumping stations for the OMB. The gradual dismantling of useless surface structures is in progress. After mine water pumping is finished (estimated in 2028) the water shafts will be dismantled, as well as the areas useless surface structures.

The Environmental Problem and its Solution

Effects on the Landscape

Negative effects due to the mining methods used – changes to the hydro-geological state , i.e. depressions above the underground areas of the mined-out seams. The repair of these effects, in compliance with valid mining regulations is underway.

Mine Water

Neutral to slightly alkaline water of the standard natrium-chloride type with an increased level of radionuclides, mostly springs from a cover of Carbon stone (Baden), Quaternary aquifers and surface streams (direct infiltration through the Carbon window). Mine water discharge into the Ostravice River.

Mine Gases

There is a risk of escape of mine gases with a high concentration of methane. Passive and active prevention of mine gas escape is in effect (vacuuming and de-gassing stations and facilities for monitoring and redirecting mine gas).