Operation of deep ore passes at apatite open pits in the Polar Region
Abstract
The Rasvumchorr‑Tsirk and Tsentralny apatite open pits are located in the central part of the Khibiny massif and are worked on 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‑altitude plateau of Rasvumchorr reaches 300, on the Rasvumchorr‑Tsirk open pit – 270. The duration of the winter period is 9 months; the thickness of snow cover on the plateau exceeds 3 m. 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‑Tsirk 1.8 million tons, Tsentralny 12 million tons of ore per year. However, the actual productivity of the Rasvumchorr‑Tsirk open pit significantly exceeded the planned capacity.
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