Abstract
The spatial and temporal landscape changes in the area of the Central and Western open-pit sections of the Shubarkol coal deposit, driven by prolonged mining activities, are considered. The aim of the study is to assess the scale and nature of land degradation, as well as vegetation recovery dynamics using remote sensing data. Landsat satellite imagery from 1986 to 2024 was processed via the Google Earth Engine platform. NDVI calculations provided a quantitative evaluation of vegetation levels both within the mining area and a 5 km buffer zone. A significant expansion of disturbed lands was recorded, peaking in 2010, followed by partial vegetation recovery. The results confirm the effectiveness of remote sensing tools for environmental monitoring in mining regions and can inform reclamation planning and ecological risk assessment.