How mining causes sinkhole formation

1. **Underground Mining**: In regions with extensive mining operations like

Carletonville, underground tunnels and shafts are excavated to extract valuable minerals
like gold. These excavations can weaken the stability of the overlying rock and soil
layers.

2. **Pillar Removal**: Over time, as mining progresses, large areas of rock containing the
mineral deposits are extracted, leaving behind support pillars to hold up the overlying
rock.

3. **Pillar Collapse or Failure**: Sometimes, these support pillars can collapse or fail due
to various factors such as pressure from the surrounding rocks, seismic activity, or
changes in stress distribution caused by mining.

4. **Subsidence and Sinkhole Formation**: When support pillars fail, the roof of the mine
can collapse, causing the overlying surface to sink or subside. This sudden subsidence
can result in the formation of sinkholes at the surface.

5. **Water Ingress**: Additionally, mining can alter the natural hydrogeological conditions
underground. Water that would normally be contained in underground aquifers can be
diverted or drained due to mining activities. This change in water flow can lead to erosion
and destabilization of underground cavities, further contributing to sinkhole formation.