Proposal of Predicting Formation of Sinkholes with an Exemplary Application

Numerous abandoned workings, mostly tunnel ones, are present in post shallow mining areas. The loss of stability of an excavation and its failure is often a cause of sinkhole formation at the surface, sometimes even many years after mining activities were discontinued. This paper presents a method of predicting the probability of sinkhole formation based on Salustowicz’s theory as well as its practical application using a computer program.