The former exploitation perimeter of Urdari open-pit is located in the southern area of the Rovinari Mining Basin (subdivision of Oltenia Mining Basin), on the territory of Urdari commune, Gorj county, 40 km south of Tg. Jiu city, respectively 15 km west of Ţicleni town, in a hilly area, west of the Jiu River.
The remaining gap of Urdari open-pit was formed as a result of the exploitation activity of lignite deposit from the Dacian and Romanian formations from Oltenia, through a continuous mining technology. In Urdari open-pit, layer no. X of lignite was mainly exploited (layers no. XI and XII appeared sporadically in the upper exploitation’s tiers).
It is delimited as follows: to the north: by the inner dump of the open-pit; to the south: by Poduri Valley and Bujorului Glade; to the east: by Săscuia Valley; to the west: a hilly area with very rugged terrain.
Author(s) Details:
Florin Faur,
Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University of Petrosani, University Street, No. 20, 332006, Petrosani, Romania.
Izabela-Maria Apostu,
Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University of Petrosani, University Street, No. 20, 332006, Petrosani, Romania.
Maria Lazăr,
Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology, University of Petrosani, University Street, No. 20, 332006, Petrosani, Romania.
Recent global research developments in Geographical Context and Formation of Urdari Open-Pit Lake
1. Preliminary Results of Investigations Related to the Ecology of Urdari Open-Pit Lake:
o Urdari open-pit lake began forming around 2003-2004, following the cessation of productive activities and equipment withdrawal from the open-pit [1].
2. Consideration Regarding the Aquatic Ecosystems Developed in the Open Pit Lakes from Oltenia Mining Region:
o This study provides insights into the aquatic ecosystems of open-pit lakes, including Urdari Lake.
o The lake’s evolution is documented through images from 2013, 2017, and 2019.
o Continuous monitoring of vegetation in the studied area is recommended to enhance the inventory of phytocoenoses related to natural dynamics and human interventions [2].
For more in-depth information, you can refer to the full research papers linked below:
• “Preliminary Results of Investigations Related to the Ecology of Urdari Open-Pit Lake” [1]
• “Consideration Regarding the Aquatic Ecosystems Developed in the Open Pit Lakes from Oltenia Mining Region” [2]
References
1. Faur, F., Apostu, I. M., & Lazăr, M. (2022). Preliminary results of investigations related to the ecology of Urdari open-pit lake. In MATEC Web of Conferences (Vol. 354, p. 00060). EDP Sciences.
2. Faur, F., Apostu, I. M., & Lazăr, M. (2022). Consideration regarding the aquatic ecosystems developed in the open pit lakes from Oltenia Mining Region. Górnictwo Odkrywkowe, 63.