The Article contains the analysis of data on application of thermal strengthening of soils and rocks. The use of this method in mining is restrained by insufficient study of the processes accompanying the heating and following cooling of strengthened soils and rocks. Substantiation is given to the potential application of thermal strengthening of loosened rocks during surface and underground mining.
Consideration is given to the results of assessment of stability of the main transportation way of horizon of undercutting at the «Skalisty» ore mine of the Norilsk Co. – connecting slope. The mathematical modeling of the method for a working protection with a protective pillar has shown that this method will not ensure the stability of the mine working for the whole period of its exploitation. A new method was suggested for protection of the working with the use of preliminarily created stress relieving zone during formation of the packing massif.
A wider introduction of the efficient light-weight support types into practice, as compared with heavy support, allows to reduce by several times the material capacitance and labour costs in maintenance of stability of mine workings. New types of supports and their parameters have been considered and their application was substantiated.
