Transformation of Coordinates of Boundary Points of Neighboring Mining Areas Using an Authorial Procedure Based on the Method of Independent Models—A Case Study

In order to integrate data relevant to decision making, especially for the development of post-mining areas, it is important to ensure their uniform spatial reference. A problem arises when the coordinates of the boundary points of mining areas of neighboring mines are documented in different local rectangular flat coordinate systems. It is then necessary to transform the coordinates of these points into a uniform coordinate system. The currently implemented coordinate transformations in Poland, which are implemented separately for each area, do not allow the obtainment of the equal coordinates of identical boundary points. Therefore, topological consistency in such areas is missing. This problem was the focus of the research carried out by the authors. An authorial transformation procedure has been developed based on the method of independent models, which makes it possible to obtain the equal coordinates of identical boundary points using the transformation procedure. This procedure is presented in this article. The results of the transformation of the coordinates of boundary points of 14 mining areas located in the southern part of Poland, i.e., in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, are also presented in this article. This task was carried out using the previously used transformation, performed separately for each of the mining areas and in accordance with the authorial procedure presented in this article. It was found that the values of differences in the locations of identical boundary points of the areas after the execution of separate transformation ranged from 0.002 m to 1.945 m. The difference in coordinates Δx and Δy reached a maximum value of 1.937 m and 0.542 m, respectively. The differences in the coordinates of identical boundary points, using the method of independent models, reached a maximum value of 0.001 m, which basically resulted from the rounding up of significant figures. The above facts indicate the validity of using the solution proposed by the authors, allowing topological consistency in areas where it is necessary to integrate the spatial data of neighboring areas.