Assessment of the geomechanical state of the rock mass in the vicinity of deep mining workings of the Skalisty mine by in-situ methods

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-5-108-113

A.A. Kozyrev¹, K.N. Konstantinov¹, E.A. Lobanov², D.S. Volkov², T.S. Mushtekenov³, A.A. Tsymbalov³ ¹ Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation ² KANEX SHAHTOSTROY, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation ³ Polar Branch of MMC Norilsk Nickel, Norilsk, Russian Federation Russian Mining Industry №5 / 2023 р. 108-113

Abstract: In recent years, deep levels of exploited deposits have been a priority for the Polar Branch of MMC Norilsk Nickel. In the first half of 2023, KANEX SHAKHTOSTROY LLC has completed exploration workings EW-1 at the –1650 m level and EW-2 at the –1750 m level from the ventilation shaft VS-10 to the skip-cage shaft SCS-1 (2 km below the daytime surface). Comprehensive studies of mining-induced disturbance were carried out at 17 measuring stations in EW-1 and EW-2 sections driven in 2020–2022 (the length of about 1500 m). The rheometric, ultrasonic logging and seismic profiling methods were used as the principal in-situ methods to solve the task. It has been established that the size of the disturbed zone in the vicinity of EW-1 and EW-2 is characterized by longitudinal wave velocities, Vp, in the range of 2–4 km/s, averaging over the entire length of 1m from the contour of the working. The results of the seismic studies indicate moderate disturbance of the rock mass in the horizontal plane of the working's wall. The results of in-situ complex studies are qualitatively comparable with the results of visual inspection of the fixed surface of the working, thus indicating its satisfactory geomechanical condition.

Keywords: geomechanics, disturbed zone, stability of excavations, ultrasonic method, rheometric method, seismic method, stress-strain state, mine support

For citation: Kozyrev A.A., Konstantinov K.N., Lobanov E.A., Volkov D.S., Mushtekenov T.S., Tsymbalov A.A. Assessment of the geomechanical state of the rock mass in the vicinity of deep mining workings of the Skalisty mine by in-situ methods. Russian Mining Industry. 2023;(5):108–113. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-5-108-113

Article info

Received: 03.08.2023

Revised: 06.09.2023

Accepted: 15.09.2023

Information about the authors

Anatoly A. Kozyrev – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Chief of Rock Mechanics Department, Mining Institute, Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Konstantin N. Konstantinov – Research Associate, Mining Institute, Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Evgeniy A. Lobanov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Director General, KANEX SHAHTOSTROY, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation Denis S. Volkov – Executive Director, KANEX SHAHTOSTROY, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation

Talgat S. Mushtekenov – Counselor to the Director's Office, Polar Branch of MMC Norilsk Nickel, Norilsk, Russian Federation

Andrey A. Tsymbalov – Deputy Director for Mining Operations, Polar Branch of MMC Norilsk Nickel, Norilsk, Russian

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