Assessment of temperature dynamics in ice-rock mass formed at the bottom of an ALROSA depleted kimberlite open pit

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-1-56-60

Yu.A. Khokholov, V.V. Kiselev, D.E. Soloviev, D.V. Hosoev
N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №1/ 2026 p. 56-60

Abstract: The article outlines negative factors that make mining of underground kimberlite deposits in the cryolithozone more complicated. It describes the proposed methods, i.e. construction of an ice rock block at the bottom of a depleted kimberlite open pit, freezing of ice rock mass using waters of a man-made lake, and construction of a single-layer and double-layer thermal insulation screen. The results of calculations using the authors' methodology for the temperature regime of the ice rock mass and the thermal insulation screen at different thicknesses of the rock backfill and polystyrene layer are presented in graphical form, making it possible to assess the dynamics of the thermal processes occurring throughout the year, which confirm the efficiency of the double-layer thermal insulation structure. It is emphasized that implementation of the proposed method makes it possible to ensure the frozen state of the constructed block if a waterproof coating and a functioning drainage system is in place; the safety of mining operations in the underground mine that is used to develop the pit reserves; the stability of the near-wall rock mass of the worked-out open pit; development of the existing ore body with additional revenue.

Keywords: ice rock mass, water-saturated rock debris, man-made lake, thermal insulation layer, temperature, modeling, heat exchange, bottom of a depleted kimberlite pit, pit reserves, polystyrene

Acknowledgements: The study was carried out within the State Assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (FWRS-2026-0056, № 1025031700053-3-1.5.1 EGISU NIOCTR) 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: Khokholov Yu.A., Kiselev V.V., Soloviev D.E., Hosoev D.V. Assessment of temperature dynamics in ice-rock mass formed at the bottom of an ALROSA depleted kimberlite open pit. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(1):56–60. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-1-56-60

Article info

Received: 28.10.2025

Revised: 16.12.2025

Accepted: 17.12.2025

Information about the authors

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.

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

Dmitry E. Soloviev – 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

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; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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