Water protection of kimberlite mines in the cryolithic zone by constructing underground ice barriers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-4S-94-98

Читать на русскоя языкеV.V. Kiselev, Yu.A. Khokholov , A.S. Kurilko, D.V. Hosoev
Mining Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Khabarovsk, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №4S / 2025 p. 94-98

Abstract: The article presents research materials focused on solving water protection challenges in diamond mines in the cryolithic zone with high groundwater inflow. Based on an analysis of existing water protection methods, the authors have proposed and patented an ingenious method for the advance construction of an underground cryogenic ice barrier around a diamond-bearing pipe, which uses artificially generated cold. A description of the process diagram is provided for practical implementation of the method. The paper presents the results of numerical experiments conducted on a specially developed 3D mathematical model and the results of calculations with a developed software of the temperature conditions of the constructed barrier at different groundwater filtration rates, presented in graphical form. It is noted that the numerical implementation of the mathematical model allows selecting optimal, energy-saving operating modes for the freezing system that would ensure high rates of constructing a ring-shaped ice-and-rock water protection barrier around the diamond pipes. The technical feasibility and economic efficiency of the method are emphasized, which will contribute to cutting labor and financial costs and will ensure safe working conditions for the miners and for operation of the mining equipment.

Keywords: diamond-bearing deposit, diamond pipe, temporally abandoned open-pit mine, underground mine, water inflows, ice-and-rock structures, cryolithic zone

Acknowledgements: The study was carried out within the State Assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Topic No. 0297-2021-0021, EGISU NIOCTR No. 122011800083-0) using instruments that belong to the Shared core facilities of the Federal Research Center, Yakutsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

For citation: Kiselev V.V., Khokholov Yu.A., Kurilko A.S., Hosoev D.V. Water protection of kimberlite mines in the cryolithic zone by constructing underground ice barriers. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(4S):94–98. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-4S-94-98

Article info

Received: 25.06.2025

Revised: 13.08.2025

Accepted: 22.08.2025

Information about the authors

Valery V. Kiselev – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Mining Geophysics Laboratory, N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russian Federation

Yury A. Khokholov – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Leading Researcher, Mining Geophysics Laboratory, N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9510-3808; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Aleksandr S. Kurilko – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Leading Researcher, Mining Geophysics Laboratory, N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dorzho V. Hosoev – Junior Research, N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russian Federation

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