Informational Articles

Monomineral flotation results showed that the use of a new reagent S-cyanoethyl N, N-diethyldithiocarbamate enhances the flotation activity of chalcopyrite, in contrast to flotation with butyl xanthate, and reduced the flotation ability of arsenopyrite, which makes this reagent promising for its use in the selective flotation of complex sulfide ores.

The article reviews the results of the VIII Scientific and Practical Conference with international participation "Technology and Safety of Drilling and Blasting Operations in Surface and Underground Mines of the Urals" which was held at the Ekaterinburg-EXPO Exhibition Center and the Uralasbest Industrial Complex as part of the IX Urals Mining Industry Forum and the URAL MINING' 21 Exhibition dedicated to the Year of Science and Technology in the Russian Federation and the 30th Anniversary of the Urals Mining and Industrial Association. The article also informs about the winners of the Ural Mining Award 2021 and about the research and engineering reports and presentations made during the conference and dedicated to blasting operations. Results are summarized of the visiting seminar at the Uralasbest Industrial Complex, where the Chief Engineer of Promtekhvzvzryv Company N.A. Chistyakov and General Director of the Urals Explosives Association G.P. Bersenev conducted tours to the open-pit mine, the 'Poremit' Plant - the first emulsion explosives production facility in the Urals, a bulk explosives storage, the museum and training center of the Urals Asbestos Mining and Processing Complex.

Начиная с 2020 г. во всем мире началась очередная технологическая революция. Распадская угольная компания также идет в ногу со времени и реализует цифровые решения, которые приносят не только экономический эффект, но и позволяют сделать труд работников безопаснее. Для реализации технологической революции требуется внедрение так называемой программы «Индустрия 4.0» (Industry 4.0), которая охватывает всю промышленность, включая угольную.

Metal experts have seen a big swing in prices and expectations in last nine months .More than 90% of the incremental demand of metals in 2020 came from a single country i.e. China. On the one hand, China stepped up local consumption of metals into infrastructure spending. However, it is highly likely that Chinese intensity of demand for commodities will face a slump. Further, Chinese export growth could cool in 2021 as manufacturers in developed markets recover post vaccination. Can the demand of metals from the rest of the world offset slow Key words: ing Chinese intensity in 2021?

The The paper addresses the issues of designing onboard systems and complex digitalization of open-pit mining equipment. A generalized schematic diagram and composition of the On-Board Robotic Control System for open-pit equipment (OBRCS OPE) are provided. The option of the On-Board Robotic Control System for mining dump trucks (OBRCS MDT) and schematics of the on-board robotic system of the BELAZ dump truck are described in more detail. A layout option is suggested for an autonomous ready dump truck, a modification that meets all the requirements for the digital transformation (DT) generation of dump trucks i.e. the ability to operate as part of the mine fleet management systems and robotic control systems, as well as the availability of modern on-board industrial safety systems and remote diagnostics. The DT Generation of mining equipment will allow mining companies to achieve the up-to-date level in digital transformation of surface mining operations and will cut the amount of investments required in upgrading the mining transport system.

The article describes design principles for autonomous cargo transportation systems and social aspects of their implementation. Economic prerequisites for creation of autonomous cargo transportation systems in Russia and in the world are analyzed as well as the composition of the complex autonomous system. Issues of economic justification for implementation of autonomous cargo transportation systems, regulatory framework and safety provision of autonomous dump truck application are also addressed.

REDPATH DEILMANN GmbH from Germany has been sinking and lining two shafts and initial underground development since 2017 on the territory of the Republic of Belarus (Starobinskoe potassium salt deposit, Luban) by request of Slavkaliy LLC. Shaft sinking is one of the most complicated and time-consuming stages in renovation and construction of new underground mines. In the absolute majority of cases, shaft sinking and lining are at the critical path for implementation of such projects. Rapid rates of shaft construction ensure high technical and economic performance during the commissioning phase and earlier supply of end products to the market. The article introduces an innovative method of mechanized mine shaft sinking that provides rapid parallel sinking and lining of the mine shafts. Unique mechanized shaft boring roadheaders (SBR) manufactured by Herrenknecht are employed. Shaft sinking is done in complicate geotechnical and geological conditions intensified by a very low stability of the rocks using a dedicated rock freezing method. Modern materials are used for additional hydrosealing of the tubing liner. Workings in the near shaft insets are driven with roadheaders. A combination of all these solutions makes it possible to accelerate shaft sinking in a safe way without blasting operations and with high technical and economic performance both for the shaft sinking project and the overall construction of the mining and processing plant.

The paper presents a concept for disposal of Class 2 and Class 3 radioactive waste in existing workings and chambers in the underground uranium mines of the Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union PJSC with isolation of radioactive waste storage chambers using paste backfilling made with processed uranium ore materials and sealing of cracks in host rock by injection consolidation. The need is shown to enhance the strength of radioactive waste containers to increase the number of tiers in the storage blocks to make better use of the available chamber space. Data is provided on the forecast hydrogeological conditions in deep levels (up to 1000 m) of Mine No.6.

In the current situation, aggravated by the pandemic, the top management and employees of the mining company should understand the corporate tasks and objectives, and be aware that development of reserves is, first of all, a business that must be successful. Independent technical auditing is essential for everyone, both for state-of-the-art designing and for interaction with investors and banks. The subsoil users and investors have to understand that the civilized system of auditing and evaluation of deposits, created in developed countries almost half a century ago, leads to long-term and stable development. Subsoil users, who defy civilized work with auditors, designers, service companies and investors, as well as within their teams, are forced to get involved in legal processes that bring absolutely no benefits to the project development and reduce the efficiency of the subsoil development.

The article reviews and analyses issues that include optimisation of pumping equipment for efficient drainage of saline water in conditions of underground mines. It describes approaches to design improvement of pumping equipment and shows the economic effect of its implementation based on the results of pilot tests.