Operation of deep ore dumps at Apatite open pits in the Polar Region

Abstract

The Rasvumchorr-Circus and Tsentralny apatite open pits are located in the central part of the Khibiny massif and develop part of the arc-shaped apatite deposit.The deposit area is characterized by harsh climatic conditions: low negative temperatures in winter (up to -36° C), snow blizzards and storms. The number of days per year with negative temperatures on the high-mountainous plateau of Rasvumchorr reaches 300, on the Rasvumchorr-Cirk open pit - 270. The duration of the winter period is 9 months; the thickness of snow cover on the plateau exceeds 3 meters. Frequent fogs and avalanche-prone slopes significantly complicate the work of open pits in winter. According to the project of the institute “Giproruda” the productivity of open pits: Rasvumchorr-Cirk 1.8 million tons, Central 12 million tons of ore per year. However, the actual productivity of the Rasvumchorr-Tsirk open pit significantly exceeded the design.