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Date submitted2022-10-29
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-04-25
Assessment of rock massif sustainability in the area of the underground research laboratory (Nizhnekanskii Massif, Enisei site)
The study presents the results of the research on geodynamic and geological conditions of the Enisei site (Krasnoyarsk Krai), chosen for the construction of an underground research laboratory. The laboratory is being built at a depth of 500 m to assess the suitability of the rock mass for burying high-level radioactive waste. The rocks consist of weakly fractured gneisses, granites, and dikes of metadolerites. Field observations were conducted on bedrock outcrops. They included the determination of rock mass quality indicators, measurement of rock fracturing, and a rating classification of stability using N.Barton's method. GNSS observations were also made to monitor surface deformations. These data were used to develop a three-dimensional structural model, including lithology, fault disruptions, intrusive bodies, elastic-strength properties of rocks, and the sizes of zones influenced by faulting. It will serve as a basis for boundary conditions and the construction of three-dimensional variational models of stress-strain states, identifying zones of concentration of hazardous stresses, and planning in situ geomechanical experiments in underground mines of the laboratory. The obtained values of the modified QR index for the main types of rocks allowed their classification as stable and moderately stable, corresponding to strong and very strong rocks on Barton's scale and the massif rating according to geomechanical classification.
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Date submitted2023-02-10
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Date accepted2023-09-20
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Date published2024-04-25
Depth distribution of radiation defects in irradiated diamonds by confocal Raman spectroscopy
Five colored diamonds were investigated. According to the results of the study by FTIR, UV-Vis-NIR and Photoluminescence spectroscopy, they are natural type Ia diamonds. The depth distribution of the color intensity was carried out by measuring the intensity of the PL peak at 741 nm (GR1 center) upon excitation by a laser with a wavelength of 633 nm of Raman Confocal microscope. To minimise the perturbation due to geometrical effects, defect distribution profiles were normalised with respect to diamond Raman peak intensity (691 nm) point by point. For two diamonds, the intensity of the GR1 peak (741 nm) sharply decreased to a depth of 10 µm, and then became equal to the background level, which is typical for irradiation with alpha particles from natural sources like uranium. In other diamonds, the profiles vary slightly with depth, and the color intensity is close to uniform, which is for irradiation with accelerated electrons or neutrons. The source of radiation has not been determined. However, long duration radioactivity measurements of the diamonds suggested that neutrons were not used for colour centers production in the diamonds studied.
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Date submitted2023-05-31
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-04-25
Velocity structure of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle in the Pechenga ore region and adjacent areas in the northwestern part of the Lapland-Kola orogen by the receiver function technique
- Authors:
- Andrei G. Goev
The article presents a study of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle in the Pechenga ore region, as well as areas adjacent to it in the northwestern part of the Kola region. Applying the receiver function technique to data acquired by three broadband seismic stations, we obtained one-dimensional seismic velocity distribution models to a depth of 300 km. The stations are located in the northern parts of Finland and Norway, as well as in the Pechenga region of the Russian Federation. Despite the stations being in relatively close proximity (within 100 km of each other), the velocity models turned out to be significantly different, which indicates structural discontinuity within the lithosphere. Thus, Finland station data set revealed a gradient crust-mantle transition, which is not present in the other two models. At depths of about 150 km, a low-velocity zone was discovered, associated with mid-lithospheric discontinuity, which was not found beneath the Pechenga ore region. Furthermore, the crustal structure of the Pechenga region has an anomalously high Vp/Vs ratio to a depth of about 20 km. Considering the fact that the Pechenga (Nikel) seismic station was installed in close proximity to major copper-nickel deposits, this anomaly can be interpreted as a relic of Proterozoic plume activity.
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Date submitted2023-02-28
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Date accepted2024-03-05
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Date published2024-04-25
Assessment of the contribution of Precambrian deposits in forming the petroleum potential of the eastern part of the Volga-Urals basin using results of modeling
- Authors:
- Dmitrii D. Kozhanov
- Mariya Bolshakova
Consideration is given to results of geochemical analysis of organic matter and oils of the Proterozoic (the RF-V complex) and the Paleozoic (the pay intervals D2, D3, C1-2) of the eastern part of the Volga-Urals petroleum basin. The obtained data is corroborated by results of 2D basin modeling along four regional profiles two of which are situated in the Kama and two in the Belaya parts of the Kama-Belaya aulacogen. An update is given to earlier data on degree of catagenetic alteration of oil/gas source rocks of the Riphean-Vendian play, maps of catagenesis are constructed. New evidence is provided concerning presence of Precambrian oils in the Paleozoic plays. The oils under investigation are mixed – those formed from generation products of the Precambrian (Riphean, Vendian) and Paleozoic (Devonian and Early Carboniferous) source rock intervals. The results of modeling have shown that the principal source rock intervals in the RF-V play of the Kama part of the Kama-Belaya aulacogen are deposits of the Kaltasy formation of the Lower Riphean and the Vereshchagino formation of the Upper Vendian, while in the Belaya part these are rocks of the Kaltasy, Kabakov, Olkhovo, Priyutovo, Shikhan and Leuza formations of the Riphean and the Staropetrovo formation of the Vendian. It is found that the interval of the main oil and gas window increases in the southeastward direction. In both depressions of the Kama-Belaya aulacogen, a single oil play is distinguished that functions within the stratigraphic interval from the Riphean to the Lower Carboniferous. As the principal petroleum source rock intervals within this play, Riphean-Vendian deposits are considered, reservoirs are confined to the Riphean carbonate complex, Upper Vendian and Middle Devonian clastic deposits, while the Upper Devonian – Tournaisian deposits serve as the upper seal.
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Date submitted2023-02-27
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-04-25
Microstructural features of chromitites and ultramafic rocks of the Almaz-Zhemchuzhina deposit (Kempirsai massif, Kazakhstan) according to electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) studies
Microstructural features of the main rock-forming minerals of host ultramafic rocks (olivine, orthopyroxene) and chrome spinel from ores of the Almaz-Zhemchuzhina deposit were studied using the electron backscatter diffraction method. For ultramafic rocks, statistical diagrams of the crystallographic orientation of olivine and orthopyroxene were obtained, indicating the formation of a mineral association in conditions of high-temperature subsolidus plastic flow in the upper mantle. The main mechanisms were translation gliding and syntectonic recrystallization. Olivine deformation occurred predominantly along the (010)[100] and (001)[100] systems. The textural and structural features of chromitites reflect plastic flow processes, most pronounced in lenticular-banded ores. Microstructure maps in inverse pole figure encoding show differences in the grain size composition of the ores: areas consisting of disseminated chromitites are characterized by a finer-grained structure compared to lens-shaped segregations of a massive structure. Analysis of microstructure maps shows that during the transition from disseminated to massive ores, there is a widespread development of recrystallization, adaptation of neighbouring grains to each other, resulting in homogenization of crystallographic orientation in aggregates. The data obtained develop ideas about the rheomorphic nature of chromitite segregations in ophiolite dunites. It is assumed that the coarsening of the structure of massive chromitites is critically associated with an increase in the concentration of ore grains during solid-phase segregation within a plastic flow, when individual chrome spinel grains, initially separated by silicate material, begin to come into direct contact with each other.
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Date submitted2023-04-10
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Date accepted2024-12-27
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Date published2024-04-25
Optimization of specific energy consumption for rock crushing by explosion at deposits with complex geological structure
The selection of efficient drilling and blasting technology to achieve the required particle size distribution of blasted rock mass and reduce ore dilution is directly related to the accurate definition of rock mass properties. The zoning of the rock massif by its hardness, drillability and blastability does not consider the variability of the geological structure of the block for blasting, resulting in an overestimated specific consumption of explosives. The decision of this task is particularly urgent for enterprises developing deposits with a high degree of variability of geological structure, for example, at alluvial deposits. Explosives overconsumption causes non-optimal granulometric composition of the blasted rock mass for the given conditions and mining technology. It is required to define physical and mechanical properties of rocks at deposits with complex geological structure at each block prepared for blasting. The correlation between the physical and mechanical properties of these rocks and drilling parameters should be used for calculation. The relation determined by the developed method was verified in industrial conditions, and the granulometric composition of the blasted rock mass was measured by an indirect method based on excavator productivity. The results demonstrated an increase in excavation productivity, thus indicating the accuracy of given approach to the task of identifying the rocks of the blasted block.
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Date submitted2023-07-20
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-04-25
Directions in the technological development of aluminium pots
- Authors:
- Еvgenii S. Gorlanov
- Leopold I. Leontev
Directions for the technical and technological development of aluminium industry, existing and promising projects to reduce the energy consumption and the environmental impact are analyzed. The active participation of the state in the organization of financial instruments for the ecological reconstruction of obsolete production facilities is discussed. In spite of the fact that the technology of aluminium pots is developed towards the increase of a single capacity, but with limited potential of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gases emission, the possibilities for the increase of specific output are practically non-existent. Therefore, such projects like pots, equipped with inert anodes and drained cathodes arise and are under development, the successful completion of which is unlikely after multi-year researches and pilot tests. To continue the works related to inert anodes the decisive answer about the industrial safety of local sources of the massive oxygen emissions to atmosphere is required from competent entities. The drained cathode project, after discussing the existing problems, seems unfeasible. As opposed to the existing technology the development of the pots with vertical electrodes offers great opportunities to the designs of inert anodes and drained cathodes. Positive results of using shaped electrodes, homogenizing their surface and developing the methods for the synthesis of composite cathodes directly during the electrolytic process were obtained in laboratory conditions. It is expected that the combination of these trends and the successive dimensional scaling shall allow using the vertical electrodes at the next level for the fold increase of specific pot capacity and for the decrease of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Date submitted2023-04-06
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-04-25
Localization of sites for the development of geomechanical processes in underground workings based on the results of the transformation and classification analysis of seismic data
The paper considers an approach to localizing the intervals of development of geomechanical processes in underground structures based on the classification and transformation of seismic data. The proposed approach will make it possible to identify the intervals of fracturing, rock decompression, water inflow and other geomechanical processes when interpreting the results of seismic surveys. The technique provides for the formation of matrices of longitudinal (Vp), transverse (Vs) velocities and velocity ratios (Vs/Vp) along the research profile to perform sequential filtration. The filtration results serve as the basis for the formation of a bank of informative materials for further classification. Based on the domestic KOSKAD 3D software, four approaches have been implemented for a combined digital model of the Vp, Vs and Vs/Vp parameters. One of the key elements in the classification process is to combine grids to increase the probability of detecting intervals with heterogeneous identification features. The result of the application of this methodical approach is the construction of a comprehensive interpretative model, on which potential zones of geomechanical risks development are clearly manifested.
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Date submitted2022-09-05
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Date accepted2023-09-20
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Date published2024-04-25
Modeling the efficiency of seasonal cooling devices when changing the statistical distribution of weather conditions
The climatic factor of warming, which is evidenced by a significant number of scientists and research teams in Russia and the world, has a significant impact on the cryogenic state of permafrost soil, the preservation of which is one of the most common principles of construction in the North. The influence of projected climatic changes in planning up to 2050 on the efficiency of seasonal cooling devices, the principle of operation of which is based on seasonal soil freezing, is considered. The conducted modeling has shown that in a situation of stable climate, the preservation of the cryogenic state of permafrost soil is realized without the use of additional measures. With warming with a trend of 0.1 °C per year, seasonal cooling devices do not ensure the preservation of the current level of the cryogenic state of the soil and additional measures are required to increase their efficiency in the summer. In the case of more extreme warming with a rate of 0.25 °C per year, the modeling results show that seasonal cooling devices do not significantly affect the rate of soil thawing and the solution to the problem should be its complete replacement with systems with year-round action.
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Date submitted2023-03-14
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-04-25
Predictive assessment of ore dilution in mining thin steeply dipping deposits by a system of sublevel drifts
The purpose of research is the study of stress-strain state of marginal rock mass around the stope and predictive assessment of ore dilution with regard for changes in ore body thickness in mining thin ore deposits on the example of the Zholymbet mine. Study of the specific features of the stress-strain state development was accomplished applying the methodology based on numerical research methods taking into account the geological strength index (GSI) which allows considering the structural features of rocks, fracturing, lithology, water content and other strength indicators, due to which there is a correct transition from the rock sample strength to the rock mass strength. The results of numerical analysis of the stress-strain state of the marginal part of the rock mass using the finite element method after the Hoek – Brown strength criterion made it possible to assess the geomechanical state in the marginal mass provided there are changes in ore body thickness and to predict the volume of ore dilution. It was ascertained that when mining thin ore deposits, the predicted value of ore dilution is influenced by the ore body thickness and the GSI. The dependence of changes in ore dilution values on the GSI was recorded taking into account changes in ore body thickness from 1 to 3 m. Analysis of the research results showed that the predicted dimensions of rock failure zone around the stopes are quite large, due to which the indicators of the estimated ore dilution are not attained. There is a need to reduce the seismic impact of the blasting force on the marginal rock mass and update the blasting chart.
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Date submitted2022-09-26
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Date accepted2023-09-20
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Date published2024-04-25
Technology of absorption elimination with cross-linking plugging material based on cement and cross-linked polymer
The peculiarity of the geological structure of carbonate reservoirs is their complex permeability and porosity characteristics, reflecting the simultaneous presence of cavities variety (fractures, caverns, pores). Loss of circulation during penetration of fractured rock intervals significantly increases well construction time due to lack of efficient plugging isolation compositions. The main disadvantages of traditional compositions are high sensitivity to dilution in the process of their injection into the absorption zone, as well as insufficient structural strength to prevent the isolation composition from spreading during the induction period. For efficient isolation of catastrophic absorption zones in conditions of high opening of absorption channels a new cross-linking plugging isolation composition has been developed, which allows to exclude disadvantages of traditional isolation compositions. Application of the composition will allow to reduce the injection volume of the isolation composition and the time of isolation works due to its resistance to dilution and movement of formation water in the absorption interval.
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Date submitted2023-03-16
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-04-25
Comprehensive assessment of deformation of rigid reinforcing system during convergence of mine shaft lining in unstable rocks
Operation of vertical mine shafts in complex mining and geological conditions is associated with a number of features. One of them is a radial displacement of the concrete shaft lining, caused by the influence of mining pressure on the stress-strain state of the mine workings. A rigid reinforcing system with shaft buntons fixed in the concrete lining thus experiences elastoplastic deformations, their value increases with time. It results in deviation of conductors from design parameters, weakening of bolt connections, worsening of dynamic properties of geotechnical system “vehicle – reinforcing”, increase of wear rate of reinforcing system elements, increase of risks for creating an emergency situation. The article offers a comprehensive assessment of displacements of characteristic points of the bunton system based on approximate engineering relations, numerical modeling of the deformation process of the bunton system and laser measurements of the convergence of the inner surface of the concrete shaft lining. The method was tested on the example of the reinforcing system of the skip-cage shaft of the potash mine. Displacement of the characteristic points of the reinforcing system is determined by the value of radial displacements of the surface of the concrete shaft lining. Evaluation of the radial displacements was made using monitoring measurements and profiling data. The results obtained make it possible to justify the need and timing of repair works. It is shown that the deterioration of the reinforcing system at different levels occurs at different rates, defined, among other things, by mechanical properties of the rock mass layers located at a given depth.
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Date submitted2023-08-02
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-04-25
Justification of the approaches to improve management strategy of the mining system based on the analysis of data on the mining of complex structural rock blocks
Long-term activity of mining enterprises causes the necessity to substantiate the strategies of management of the mining and technical system functioning in terms of improvement of ore quality control, which is determined by its change in the course of field development due to the priority development of the main reserves and, as a consequence, forced transition to the mining of complex structural rock blocks with a decrease in the recovery percentage, which is typical in case the ore component meets the requirements of the feasibility study in terms of grade at substandard capacity. In this case, it is possible to identify the recovery percentage and the potential for its increase by analyzing the long-term activity of the mining and industrial enterprise, namely, by analyzing the data of mining complex structural rock blocks with the subsequent establishment of the relationship between the primary data on mining and geological conditions and information on the quality of the mineral obtained from the technological equipment. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to substantiate the necessity of improving the management strategy of the mining-technical system functioning, which consists in the fact that on the basis of analyzing the mining data of complex structural rock blocks it is possible to determine the ore mass losses and their quantity and to lay the basis for the development of decisions on its extraction. For this purpose, the collected data on the mining of complex structural rock blocks, accounting the geological and industrial type of extracted ores, were considered in modeling the conditions and studying the parameters of technological processes, the implementation of which provides additional products. It was revealed that the ore mass from substandard thickness layers is delivered to the dumps, and ore mass losses have been estimated at 25-40 % per year. It is proved that determination of ore mass losses based on the analysis of data on mining of complex structural rock blocks, as well as timely solution of this issue can significantly increase the production efficiency of mining and technical system. Taking into account for the results obtained, the options for optimizing the production of the mining and engineering system were proposed.
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Date submitted2023-01-16
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Date accepted2023-06-20
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Date published2024-04-25
Study on the thin layer drying and diffusion mechanism of low rank coal in Inner Mongolia and Yunnan
Coal is one of the world's most important energy substances. China is rich in coal resources, accounting for more than 90 % of all ascertained fossil energy reserves. The consumption share of coal energy reaches 56.5 % in 2021. Due to the high moisture content of low-rank coal, it is easy to cause equipment blockage in the dry sorting process. This paper considers low-rank coal coming from Inner Mongolia (NM samples) and Yunnan (YN samples). The weight loss performance of the samples was analyzed using thermogravimetric experiments to determine the appropriate temperature for drying experiments. Thin-layer drying experiments were carried out at different temperature conditions. The drying characteristics of low-rank coal were that the higher the drying temperature, the shorter the drying completion time; the smaller the particle size, the shorter the drying completion time. The effective moisture diffusion coefficient was fitted using the Arrhenius equation. The effective water diffusion coefficient of NM samples was 5.07·10–11 - 9.58·10–11 m2/s. The effective water diffusion coefficients of the three different particle sizes of YN samples were 1.89·10–11 - 4.92·10–11 (–1 mm), 1.38·10–10 - 4.13·10–10 (1-3 mm), 5.26·10–10 - 1.49·10–9 (3-6 mm). The activation energy of Inner Mongolia lignite was 10.97 kJ/mol (–1 mm). The activation energies of Yunnan lignite with different particle sizes were 17.97 kJ/mol (–1 mm), 33.52 kJ/mol (1-3 mm), and 38.64 kJ/mol (3-6 mm). The drying process was simulated using empirical and semi-empirical formulas. The optimal model for Inner Mongolia samples was the Two-term diffusion model, and Yunnan samples were the Hii equation was used.