The open pit metallurgical coal mines in the Elk Valley of SE BC are a classic example of what you said. In this case the elk are protecting their new born calves from wolves and grizzlies by giving birth in an heavy industry setting. (Yes, I do have photos.) 

The Elk Valley has a very healthy grizzly population thanks to the annual June feasting season of elk calves. The real threat to the elk-grizzly eco relationship are the wolves. Grizzlies kill to eat while wolves eat only some of what the kill. 

The largest herds of elk & mountain sheep that I have ever come across where in coal mines in Alberta & BC. Slowly driving through a large herd of sheep on a mine road is somewhat like driving through a herd of cattle on a ranch. I once watched a pack of wolves slowly push a herd of about 300 elk out of a ravine on a minesite where the elk had been sheltering from a late cold fall wind & rain storm. The temptation of so many elk overcame the predators fear of heavy equipment.