Research into a method of marking silvinite seams in potash mines using radioactive emissions

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-2-192-199

Читать на русскоя языке N.A. Knyazev, D.S. Kormshchikov, A.I. Kuznetsov, A.R. Bogdanov
Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №2/ 2026 p. 192-199

Abstract: Relevance. Conditions of sylvite mining at the Verkhnekamskoye salt deposit are characterized with a dusty environment and pronounced folding of the seams, which makes accurate mining operations withing the seam boundaries difficult thus increasing the chances of excessive dilution with the host rock. Objectives: A method of marking the sylvinite seam using its natural radioactive emissions was investigated to improve positioning accuracy of the continuous miners. Methods. The main research method is based on measuring the potassium-40 isotope content in sylvinite. Results. The paper discusses the experience of marking the sylvinite layer using a scintillation detector. Laboratory and full-scale testing of the detector was carried out in conditions of an operating mine. A relationship between the KCl content and the level of γ-radiation was established, which made it possible to determine the boundaries of productive seams and host rocks. Conclusions. It was established that marking the sylvinite layer using the selected method proved to be efficient and can be introduced into the navigation system of continuous miners, which, in combination, will help not only to control progressing along the specified coordinates, but also to ensure complete extraction of the productive seams.

Keywords: navigation of mining equipment, continuous miner, potash deposit, radioactive emissions, scintillation detector, semiconductor detector, monitoring system for producing seam, full-scale testing

Acknowledgements: This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within a state assignment (reg. number NIOKTR 124031800058-4).

For citation: Knyazev N.A., Kormshchikov D.S., Kuznetsov A.I., Bogdanov A.R. Research into a method of marking silvinite seams in potash mines using radioactive emissions. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(2):192–199. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-2-192-199

Article info

Received: 16.12.2025

Reviewed: 09.02.2026

Accepted: 13.02.2026

Information about authors

Nikita A. Knyazev – Junior Researcher, Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Denis S. Kormshchikov – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Senior Researcher, Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Aleksandr I. Kuznetsov – Junior Researcher, Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russian Federation

Artur R. Bogdanov – Technician, Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russian Federation

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