Specific features of assessing losses and dilution of mineral raw materials in the integrated development of polymetallic ore deposits and associated man-made formations
Y.A. Srebrodolsky1, E.E. Shwabenland2, G.S. Kurchin3
1 Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
2 N.M. Fedorovsky All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources (VIMS), Moscow, Russian Federation
3 Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5S/ 2025 p. 92-99
Abstract: This article presents a comprehensive analysis and assessment of quantitative and qualitative losses of valuable components during the development of polymetallic ore deposits with concurrent processing of man-made georesources. Materials from the development of three vein deposits in Southern Yakutia (Verkhne-Menkechye, Sarylakh, Sentachan) characterized by different mining-geological and mining-technical conditions and distinguished by their type of mineralization were used as the empirical basis of the research. The key attention in the article is focused on the comparative evaluation of the two main underground mining systems, i.e. shrinkage stoping and sublevel drifting. The basic physical and mechanical characteristics of ores and host rocks (Protodiakonov hardness, fracturing, rock mass strength) are analyzed in combination with technological features of mining and processing (drilling and blasting parameters, haulage and processing schemes) that directly affect the final recovery indicators. The analysis identified and systematized the main factors forming ore losses and dilution for each of the applied mining systems. Thus, for the shrinkage stoping system, where the total losses reach 10-15%, the critical processes occur when drawing the stored ore: the pillars left at the block bottom and uncontrolled mixing of ore with waste rock during blasting. Meanwhile, the sublevel drifting system demonstrates higher losses (15–25%), which primarily root back to the blasting stage, i.e. incomplete ore extraction due to the lack of optimization in the drill hole pattern in the ore and intensive rock caving at the weakened contacts of the ore body. Analysis of the ore processing tailings showed their high potential as secondary raw materials for additional extraction of valuable components. Based on the identified problems, a series of specific engineering and technical recommendations aimed at minimizing ore losses have been formulated. The research results enable development of more efficient approaches to mining structurally complex polymetallic ore deposits.
Keywords: ore loss, dilution, complex deposit, South Yakutia, ore shrinkage stoping system, sublevel drifting, drilling and blasting operations, man-made mineral formations, tailing dump
For citation: Srebrodolsky Y.A., Shwabenland E.E., Kurchin G.S. Specific features of assessing losses and dilution of mineral raw materials in the integrated development of polymetallic ore deposits and associated man-made formations. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(5S):92–99. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-5S-92-99
Article info
Received: 03.08.2025
Revised: 15.10.2025
Accepted: 21.10.2025
Information about the authors
Yaroslav A. Srebrodolsky – Postgraduate Student, Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Elena E. Shvabenland – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of the Sector of Projects Analysis for the Development of Non-Ferrous, Rare, and Noble Metal Deposits, N.M. Fedorovsky All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources (VIMS), Moscow, Russian Federation; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Georgy S. Kurchin – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Professor, Department of Mine and Underground Construction, Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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