Assessing the impact on the surface layer of atmospheric air during open-pit mining

N.Y. Antoninova, Ya.A. Kuznetsova, A.V. Sobenin, A.I. Usmanov
Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №3/ 2026 p. 114-119

Abstract: The work analyzes projected engineering solutions, identification of the emission sources and their contribution in assessing the impact on atmospheric air. The research aims to identify the differences in approaches to assessing the chemical effects on the environment with account of the multicomponent composition of the dust in order to determine the adequacy of the approximate sanitary protection zone and the list of the substances controlled in the monitoring process. Engineering solutions and the existing source data have been analyzed using the case of a deposit where feldspar ores are mined using drilling and blasting operations. Changes in the formation of isolines of atmospheric pollutants in the air was also studied with different accounts of the multicomponent composition of the dust for maximum single, long-term and average daily maximum permissible concentrations established by the legislation of the Russian Federation. Analysis of the results revealed that the maximum ground-level concentrations generated by the emission sources during the mining operations in the reference settlements located at the boundary of the sanitary protection zone and at the boundary of the nearest residential area do not exceed the health standards for atmospheric air quality. Taking into account the current state of the environment, the location of the land plot, as well as the properties of the rock formations, the results obtained make it possible to conclude that the development of the deposit is permissible.

Keywords: atmospheric air, emissions calculation, dispersion calculation, pollutants, inorganic dust

Acknowledgements: The paper was prepared within the framework of the State Contract No.075-00410-25-00 PR. Topic 2 (2025-2027). ‘Geoinformation support for a system-level assessment of nature conservation strategies in mineral resources development’ (FUWE-2025-0002), reg. No.1022040300092-1-1.5.1.

For citation: Antoninova N.Y., Kuznetsova Ya.A., Sobenin A.V., Usmanov A.I. Assessing the impact on the surface layer of atmospheric air during open-pit mining. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(3):114–119. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-3-114-119

Article info

Received: 21.02.2026

Revised: 24.03.2026

Accepted: 30.03.2026

Information about the authors

Natalya Y. Antoninova – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of the Laboratory of Mining Ecology, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8503-639X; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yaroslava A. Kuznetsova – Researcher at the Laboratory Mining Ecology, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7808-8474; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Artem V. Sobenin – Researcher at the Laboratory of Mining Ecology, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5513-5680; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Albert I. Usmanov – Researcher at the Laboratory of Mining Ecology, Institute of Mining Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3650-0467; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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