Assessing the Spatiotemporal Changes in Mining Areas in Kastamonu between 1990 and 2018

Year 2025, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 8 - 19, 30.12.2025

Emre Aktürk , Alper Bulut

Abstract

Mining activities are one of the primary drivers of land cover change worldwide, often resulting in long-term ecological degradation. This study examines the spatial and temporal dynamics of mining areas in Kastamonu Province, Türkiye, between 1990 and 2018. Using multi-temporal land cover datasets produced under the CORINE program, the number, extent, and land cover context of mining sites were analyzed. Results indicate that the number of mining fields increased from three to sixteen during the study period, corresponding to an overall expansion of approximately 253 percent. The most significant proportional increase occurred between 2000 and 2006, while the most significant absolute growth, nearly three million square meters, was recorded between 2012 and 2018. Spatial analysis revealed clustered development patterns, particularly in the copper-rich Küre district. Land cover assessments showed that forest ecosystems experienced the most substantial loss, especially within broad-leaved forests. The findings highlight the imbalance between the sector’s modest economic contribution and its considerable environmental footprint, emphasizing the need for sustainable mining practices and the use of remote sensing and geographic information systems for continuous monitoring and restoration planning.

Keywords

Mining , Environment , GIS , Remote Sensing , CORINE , Sustainable Development Goals

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