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PROBLEMS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEGRADED RELIEF IN THE RIVER KVIRILA BASIN, WEST GEORGIA

G. Dvalashvili

Abstract

The study of the relief transformations caused by human activities is one of the most important problems of modern geomorphological studies. The study of the anthropogenic impact on the nature and relief in particular and forecast of changes is particularly important in solving the problems of the economics and sustainable development of the country what is to be considered in complex with the problems of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources. The human activities during the underground mining of the ore deposits lead to such processes as the surface sinks and violation of underground water regime in the geographical environment (underground cavities, tunnels and other underground works) followed by activated rock suffosion, karst and other processes, changes in the temperature regime and consequent activation of the negative physical and chemical processes. The landslides originated as a result of sinking of underground working cavities present a dense net of different-depth fissures what often promotes the formation of eroded badland relief. The mining works in the Kvirila River basin causing significant changes in the geographical environment can be divided into 4 main types depending on the analysis of the transformed relief: 1. Underground mining of mineral wealth, i.e. extracting the raw material from underground immediately by drilling or explosion. 2. Open-cast mining of mineral wealth. 3. Dressing of mineral wealth, and 4. Various types of industrial and transport operations.

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