Sustainable development of the Russian mining industry: partnership between the state, business and science (results of the 27th International Conference on Mining and Explosives)

Yu.N. Bolotova
Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Executive Director, National Organization of Explosive Engineers (NOIV)
Russian Mining Industry №5 / 2025 p. 20-23

Abstract: From September 8 to 12, 2025, the picturesque city of Sochi hosted the 27th International Conference on Mining and Explosives. The conference was held at three sites withinthe the Prestige Hotel, located at 155/2 Prosvescheniya Street, Adler District, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai. Two of these sites hosted extended sessions of the Scientific Councils of the National Organization of Explosive Engineers (NOIV), the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), and the Public Council Commission under Rostekhnadzor. The third main site, the Mindal conference hall, was the venue for the plenary sessions. A distinctive feature of this conference was participation of mathematicians, physicists, programmers, specialists in the chemical industry, IT and AI technologies, as well as the discussion of the current challenges related to the production and supply of new Russian devices, methods for controlling drilling, blasting and chemical processes, drill and blast design programmes and blast initiation devices, special-purpose ammonium nitrate for blasting operations and explosives used in mining and geophysical operations. The conference addressed issues of national sovereignty in the field of explosives for mining companies as well as research and development of mining technologies in the context of sanctions and terrorist threats to hazardous industrial facilities. Some of the important topics discussed at the conference included challenges related to development of the northern territories in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, construction of facilities for development of the Northern Sea Route, design of electronic initiation systems, and the specific features of using these systems in the Russian Federation.

Keywords: conference, explosives, technology, development, blasting operations, speaker, facility, electric primer, initiation system