Almost hundred years of intensive underground coal mining in the Ostrava-Karviná coal basin (Czech Republic) has created large environmental problems. In some places subsidence has reached up to 30 metres and huge waste dumps and industrial complexes dominate the landscape. Today, mining still is one of the most important economical factors in the area. However, due to the recent changes in political attitude, environmental care has become of major concern as well. Therefore, in future land use planning a proper balance should be established between industrial development and environmental protection.

The objective of this study is to demonstrate what role Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can play in land use planning in this area. For this purpose an investigation has been carried out for a pilot study area of about 200 km² in the Karviná district. An inventory of information in the form of maps and databases has been established which describes the present characteristics of the physical and geological environment and the environmental problems present in this area. This information has subsequently been stored in a the form of a GIS-database. The GIS-database is created using the PC-based software package Ilwis, the Integrated Land and Water Information System, developed by the ITC.

In this study it has furthermore been demonstrated how, with the help of a GIS, methodologies can be developed to create maps which can be used for mining- and rehabilitation planning. For the purpose of mining planning a map is created describing the vulnerability to future mining activities. With the help of this map mine planners can have, already in a preliminary stage, a good impression of the possible environmental impact of their plans and can adjust their plans to minimize the damage. For the purpose of rehabilitation planning maps are made depicting the areas affected by past mining activities. A map is made which indicates the location and characteristics of relict and present waste dumps. Subsequently, an inventory is made of the total amount of subsidence which has been developed over the past 20 years. Finally, it has been demonstrated how these maps can eventually be used by land use planners and decision-makers. Also some other examples of GIS applications have been demonstrated.