Recommendations on ore drawing methods to minimize losses due to ore mass re-freezing in the stoping zone

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-4-178-183

Читать на русскоя языке D.N. Petrov, V.P. Zubkov
N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №4/ 2026 p. 178-183

Abstract: The article presents recommendations on an efficient method for ore drawing from a block under various temperature and humidity conditions of underground mining of deposits in the cryolithic zone. The article presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of data obtained during experimental and theoretical studies of the effects caused by the design and technological parameters of the mining method on changes in the ore loss indicators due to its re-freezing during sublevel caving and bottom drawing. Recommendations are presented for an effective technology of sublevel caving and bottom ore drawing, i.e. the mode, draw rate, stope width and height, method of designing the bottom of the block, etc., depending on the humidity, temperature of the rocks and the stope, that would ensure minimal ore losses from its re-freezing in the stope during underground mining of ore deposits in the permafrost zone. General recommendations have been formulated, which application is preferable for any of the mining methods that employ ore drawing under the caved overlying rocks during underground mining of ore deposits in the cryolithic zone. Application of the recommended technological and organizational measures will improve the efficiency and safety of drawing of ore masses prone to freezing inside the stoping zone while ensuring minimal losses and dilution during underground mining of ore deposits in the cryolithic zone.

Keywords: underground mining, ore deposits, cryolithic zone, ore drawing, ore freezing, ore losses, technological measures, organizational measures

Acknowledgements: The research was carried out within the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Topic No.FWRS-2026-0052, reg. No.126021217278-1) using the shared core facilities of the Federal Research Center “Yakutsk Science Center” of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The authors of the paper express their gratitude to the colleagues who participated in this research.

For citation: Petrov D.N., Zubkov V.P. Recommendations on ore drawing methods to minimize losses due to ore mass re-freezing in the stoping zone. Russian Mining Industry. 2026;(4):178–183. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2026-4-178-183

Article info

Received: 04.03.2026

Revised: 04.05.2026

Accepted: 18.05.2026

Information about the authors

Dmitry N. Petrov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of Laboratory, N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of 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.

Vladimir P. Zubkov – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Deputy Director for Research, N.V. Chersky Institute of Mining of the North of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Yakutsk, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4402-7128; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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