Justification of the safety zone size for drilling and blasting operations when solar panels are installed and operated on the pit wall

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-5-49-54

Читать на русскоя языкеI.A. Pytalev1, D.V. Domozhirov1, A.A. Polinov2, Y.K. Iltinin3, V.V. Yakshina1
1 Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation
2 Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation
3 Blastint Inter Solutions LLC, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5 / 2025 p. 49-54

Abstract: The article considers a way to increase the level of integration and completeness of the development of a mine allotment by preparing a pit wall for the installation and maintenance of solar panels. The possibility is justified of combining mining operations using the drilling and blasting method for rock breaking with operation of a solar power plant. A scheme for calculating the safety zone has been developed and a method for determining its minimum size has been proposed, ensuring safe installation and operation of the solar energy conversion plants on the upper benches of the open-pit. The dependences of the safety zone size on the removal of rock mass have been established, both in plan view and with account of the actual elevations with reference to the solar panels locations. Recommendations are given on combining mining operations with the installation and maintenance of solar panels installed on the upper benches of the open-pit. The research has shown that when the solar panels are installed on the upper benches of the open pit, their safe operation during the drilling and blasting operations is possible without any special measures at a distance of 90 m or more, depending on the highwall slope design. At the same time, as the mining operations progress downwards, the minimum safety zone is reduced to 40 m.

Keywords: pit wall, drilling and blasting parameters, solar panels, safety zone, overburden rocks, flyrock travel

For citation: Pytalev I.A., Domozhirov D.V., Polinov A.A., Iltinin Y.K., Yakshina V.V. Justification of the safety zone size for drilling and blasting operations when solar panels are installed and operated on the pit wall. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(5):49–54. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-5-49-54

Article info

Received: 01.06.2025

Revised: 10.07.2025

Accepted: 23.07.2025

Information about the authors

Ivan A. Pytalev – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Professor of the Department of Mining, Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5415-8079 ; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dmitry V. Domozhirov – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor of the Department of Mining, Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9904-5820

Andrey A. Polinov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Chief Metallurgist, PJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation

Yulai K. Iltinin – Engineer, Blastint Inter Solutions LLC, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation

Viktoria V. Yakshina – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Lecturer of the Department of Mineral Deposits Development. Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation

References

1. Пыталев И.А. Обоснование параметров открытой геотехнологии комплексного освоения крутопадающих месторождений для устойчивого развития горнотехнических систем [дис. … д-ра техн. наук]. Магнитогорск; 2019. 360 с.

2. Юн А.Б., Рыльникова М.В., Терентьева И.В., Юн Ю.А. Стратегия комплексного освоения природных и техногенных георесурсов Жезказганского региона. Известия Тульского государственного университета. Науки о Земле. 2019;(3): 213–224. Yun A.B., Rylnikova M.V., Terentyeva I.V., Yun Yu.A. Strategy for comprehensive development of natural and anthropogenic geo-resources of the Zhezkazgan region. Izvestiya Tulskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta. Nauki o Zemle. 2019;(3):213– 224. (In Russ.)

3. Трубецкой К.Н., Захаров В.Н., Каплунов Д.Р., Рыльникова М.В. Эффективные технологии использования техногенных георесурсов – основа экологической безопасности освоения недр. Горный журнал. 2016;(5):34–40. https://doi.org/10.17580/gzh.2016.05.03 Trubetskoy K.N., Zakharov V.N., Kaplunov D.R., Rylnikova M.V. Efficient technologies for mineral waste use – The basis of the environmental safety of subsoil development. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2016;(5):34–40. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17580/gzh.2016.05.03

4. Пыталев И.А., Якшина В.В., Козловский А.А., Полинов А.А. Обоснование системы разработки с внутренним отвалообразованием при освоении крутопадающего месторождения Курасан. Рациональное освоение недр. 2022;(4):34–38. https://doi.org/10.26121/RON.2022.78.94.005 Pytalev I.A., Yakshina V.V., Kozlovsky A.A., Polinov A.A. Justification of the mining method with inside dumping during the development of the steeply dipping Kurasan deposit. Ratsionalnoe Osvoenie Nedr. 2022;(4):34–38. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26121/RON.2022.78.94.005

5. Степаненко В.П., Мальшаков И.Н. Перспективы применения в горной промышленности суперконденсаторных накопителей и возобновляемых источников энергии. Горный информационно-аналитический бюллетень. 2017;(6):153–163. Режим доступа: https://giab-online.ru/files/Data/2017/6/153_163_6_2017.pdf (дата обращения: 27.05.2025). Stepanenko V.P., Mal’shakov I.N. Prospects for supercapacitors and renewable energy sources in mining industry. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2017;(6):153–163. (In Russ.) Available at: https://giab-online.ru/files/Data/2017/6/153_163_6_2017.pdf (accessed: 27.05.2025).

6. Доможиров Д.В. Развитие методологии управления качеством минерального сырья путем разработки технологии и обоснования параметров подготовки к выемке горных пород сложноструктурных месторождений [дис. … д-ра техн. наук]. Магнитогорск; 2023. 352 с.

7. Черских О.И., Галимьянов А.А., Корнеева С.И., Мишнев В.И. Уточненная формула для определения радиуса опасной зоны по разлету отдельных кусков горной массы при взрывании скважинных зарядов. Уголь. 2023;(5):50–54. https://doi.org/10.18796/0041-5790-2023-5-50-54 Cherskikh O.I., Galimyanov A.A., Korneeva S.I., Mishnev V.I. Refined formula for determining the radius dangerous zone for the scattering of individual pieces of rock mass during the explosion of borehole charges. Ugol’. 2023;(5):50–54. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18796/0041-5790-2023-5-50-54

8. Сашурин А.Д., Панжин А.А., Мельник В.В. Обеспечение устойчивости бортов карьеров в целях защиты потенциально опасных участков транспортных берм. Вестник Магнитогорского государственного технического университета им. Г.И. Носова. 2016;14(3):5–12. https://doi.org/10.18503/1995-2732-2016-14-3-5-12 Sashourin A.D., Panzhin A.A., Melnik V.V. Securing open-pit walls for protection of hazardous areas of haulage benches. Vestnik of Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University. 2016;14(3):5–12. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18503/1995-2732-2016-14-3-5-12

9. Gui Y.L., Zhao Z.Y., Jayasinghe L.B., Zhou H.Y., Goh A.T.C., Tao M. Blast wave induced spatial variation of ground vibration considering field geological conditions. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 2018;101:63–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2017.11.016

10. Thang D.T., Doanh T.V., Viet T.D., Tho T.D.: Study on the reasonable parameters of the cylinder shaped charge with tapered liner funnel to destroy stone. In: International Symposium on Rock Mechanics and Engineering. The 35th VSRM Anniversary ISRM 2019 Specialized Conference, 22–24 November 2019. Hanoi, 2019, pp. 118–130.