The paper addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by post-mining regions, including environmental degradation, resource management, and socio-economic revitalization. Focusing on the city of Prijedor (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina), the study proposes a holistic approach to land reclamation that integrates geoscientific data, hydrogeological analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to identify optimal locations for spa and wellness development. The methodology combines fuzzy logic and evolutionary algorithms to process uncertain and multi-criteria datasets, such as aquifer characteristics, mineral water composition, geological formations, and infrastructure accessibility. The resulting model supports strategic planning by classifying zones based on their suitability for water resource exploitation and therapeutic use. Beyond ecological and economic considerations, the research highlights the importance of psychophysical health and complementary medicine. The envisioned transformation of former mining sites into “oases of wellness” includes facilities for yoga, meditation, reiki, and balneotherapy, promoting holistic regeneration of both land and community. This interdisciplinary framework exemplifies how AI-driven geoscientific strategies can foster sustainable development, turning degraded landscapes into centers of health, tourism, and environmental balance – honoring the past while shaping a resilient and innovative future.

One of the data science techniques is the data analysis, based primarily on various techniques and methods application in order to acquire, analyze, interpret and eventually visualize the data. The aim of these techniques is the translation of the raw data into the useful information. In this study, a comprehensive data analysis of accessible geological and hydrogeological settings of terrain in zones near “Zelenica” and “Gornje Polje” springs (alluvium of river Drina) near Loznica, has been performed. The lithologic-technical profiles of observation and of water-sampling objects have been analysed, and results, obtained by geophysical methods, subsequently interpreted. Besides, the grain size analysis test, aquifer tests, precipitations monitoring and water-level of Drina river monitoring at specified precipitation-/water-gauge were performed too. Obtained results are used as a starting point for creating the hydrogeological model (and hydrodynamic one afterwards) of the research area. The main tools used were Microsoft Excel software (for data preparation and analyzing) and Modflow code (for hydrogeological and hydrodynamic models creation).

To address the issue of groundwater vulnerability management and analysis, an algorithm was developed based on which the necessary research was conducted in the broader area surrounding the water source Novoselija used for water supply of the population in the city of Banja Luka (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). Within the GIS, as one of the spatial data techniques, the GOD method for vulnerability assessment was used. Data visualization within the GIS program package, combined with the aforementioned GOD method, enabled a clearer understanding of the spatial distribution of groundwater vulnerability in this area, which made it possible to delineate different zones: from negligible to extreme vulnerability. The high degree of the parameter has been determined in the zone of the actual water source and is associated with terrace and gravels sediments. In the alluvial sediment zone, located south of the water source, vulnerability has been assessed as extreme. In this area, there is certainly a potential risk of groundwater vulnerability to all pollutants, with a very rapid impact in most contamination scenarios. From the east and the west side, the aquifer in question is confined by flysch deposits of Cretaceous age, which are hydrogeologically characterized as conditionally “waterless” parts of the terrain, and within them, the vulnerability has been classified as negligible. The results of this research are also important for later delineation of the sanitary protection zone of the aquifer in question.

The primary objective of the protocol is to establish and develop several scientific methodological procedures applicable to the design and selection of a suitable mine dewatering management plan. A significant challenge and contribution of the research lies in the initial hypothesis, which posits the feasibility of organizing a multidisciplinary team to collaboratively determine the optimal solution for long-term mine dewatering. Protection against groundwater is a highly complex hydrogeological challenge, particularly in mining operations. Mines are inherently dynamic systems, constantly expanding both horizontally and vertically, from the very beginning of mining, also reaching significant depths. Given the inherent uncertainty in geologic systems, such as ore deposits, the entire dewatering process requires continuous “learning” and hierarchical problem-solving. Addressing these complexities involved forming a team of experts, leveraging their knowledge and experience, as well as several methodological procedures based on applied mathematics in geosciences and mining engineering, such as numerical modeling and simulation, fuzzy optimization and decision analysis. These circumstances necessitated continual adjustment to evolving operating conditions and prompted the development of a protocol for effective dewatering planning and mineral ore protection against groundwater. Such a protocol generates alternative mine dewatering solutions and considers their individual characteristics. Additionally, it defines and analyzes multiple criteria for evaluating the solutions and selecting a method that ensures optimal decision-making. The applied methods constitute a holistic system, represented by a single protocol, which includes an interdisciplinary approach to creating sustainable groundwater management strategies.

Surface mining of coal has a negative impact on the environment that needs to be prevented, reduced, controlled, monitored by applying the management of technological processes of technical and biological recultivation after the end of exploitation works. The paper deals with the problem of multi-criteria decision-making in the process of selection of indicators that have an impact on the choice of purpose of recultivated terrain after the end of coal mining. The considered reclamation solutions represent possible alternatives. Degraded areas need to be returned to their original purpose, they should be in the function of environmental protection of the natural environment and settlements near this location. In addition, various criteria and sub-criteria that affect the choice of the most favourable solution were defined and analyzed. The final decision on land use after exploitation was made based on mathematical calculations using the multi-criteria VIKOR method.

The selection of the optimal equipment for discontinuous haulage systems is one of the most important decisions that need to be made when an open-pit mine is designed. There are a number of influencing factors, including natural (geological and environmental), technical, economic, and social. Some of them can be expressed numerically, in certain units of measure, while others are descriptive and can be stated by linguistic variables depending on the circumstances of the project. These factors are characterized by a high level of uncertainty, associated with both exploration and mining operations. The experience, knowledge, and expert judgment of engineers and specialists are of key importance for the management of mining processes, consistent with the issues stemming from the dynamic expansion of open-pit mines in space over time. This paper proposes an integrated model that translates all the criteria that affect the selection of the optimal solution into linguistic variables. By employing the multiple-criteria decision-making method and combining it with fuzzy logic, we developed an algorithm that addresses all the above-mentioned uncertainties inherent in various mining processes where the experience of experts forms the basis. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is used in order to deal with trending decision problems, such as mining equipment and management system selection. The entire algorithm was applied to a real case study—the Ugljevik East 1 open-pit mine.

Mine site reclamation is a relevant step in maintaining ecological balance after mining activities. Although mining activities provide many economic benefits, they often have a negative impact on the environment. These environmental problems require effective and sustainable solutions. To minimize the effects of mining, environmental management is obligated to stabilize the land, so it is productive after mine closure and leads to the best possible purpose. Regulatory authority sets out the criteria for reclamation to be accomplished by the mine reclamation program such as compliance, land re-contouring, revegetation, and final completion.

The casting industry uses large quantities of quartz sand, which is a cheap and accessible raw material that must be prepared for use in foundries. After the casting process, foundries generate huge amounts of waste foundry sand (WFS) as industrial waste. The regeneration and reuse of waste foundry sand is a practice and a necessity in many foundries for technological, environmental, and economic reasons. In this review paper, in addition to the characteristics of quartz sand for the casting industry and the characteristics of WFS, typical processes of regeneration in industrial practice, as well as the possibilities of using such recycled WFS in other industries, are presented.

When solving real problems, and to make a quality decision, it is necessary to consider a great number of often complex parameters. For these reasons, the development of decision-making process modeling has seen significant growth in recent years, and multi-criteria optimization models have stood out among them as useful for solving complex and conflicting phenomena. Multi-criteria optimization models make it easier for decision-makers to find the optimal solution in situations where there are many different criteria, which can often conflict with each other. The choice of the appropriate method of exploitation of mineral deposits follows the consideration of the problem and the approach to further development, which is primarily the determination of the criteria that influence the choice of the optimal alternative.

As the global population grows, we are witnessing rapid urbanization and the development of industry and agriculture. Novel, largely toxic substances are being used in agriculture to improve yields. All of this has led to the generation of large amounts of pollutants that need to be disposed of and treated. Irresponsible behavior and discharges into nature and river channels not clearly defined by law or sanctioned, certainly have an environmental impact. The Drina River Basin occupies parts of the territories of four countries. It is one of the most important drainage areas in the West Balkans. It calls for international cooperation in many areas, such as public water supply, irrigation, hydropower generation, and the like. However, in order to achieve such cooperation, all the countries that “steward” the resource need to commit to water quality conservation and protection. The DPSIR approach proposed by the Water Framework Directive of the European Union is followed to identify major pressures (pollution sources) in the Serbian part of the Drina River Basin. The pressures are grouped into several categories and described in detail.