What determines the stability of embankment and separating dams?

The stability of the embankment and separating dams of a TSF is determined by a complex of geotechnical, hydrogeological, and anthropogenic factors. The following have the greatest influence: physical and mechanical characteristics of soils and tailings (wastes); the process of construction and operation of a structure; nature of its base; hydrodynamic, hydrostatic, seismic, and dynamic forces. A structure option of the dam body at this specific section, developed on the basis of the simulation, provided a factor of safety values for the outer slope at well no. 324-19. This was FoS = 1.664 for the main combination of loads, and FoS = 1.430 for a special combination of loads under seismic action.

For more information, see the article in the journal of Mining Science and Technology (Russia):

📌 Bessimbayeva О.G., Khmyrova E.N., Oleinikova E.A., Kasymzhanova A.E. Simulation of ash dump embankment stability. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2023;8(4):303-312. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2022-11-30

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#inenglish #MST #ash_dump #embankment #structure #slopes #stability #simulation #soil #finite_element_method #load #factor_of_safety #drawdown_curve #head_gradient

How to improve the efficiency of the ventilation network of a coal mine during emergency situations?

When simulating an explosion of a methane-air mixture (firedamp), the excess pressure is calculated taking into account the gas content of rocks in terms of free combustible gases, the length of a blast cut, the size of the area of increased fracturing, and the lower explosive limit of methane. Based on the proposed principle of the parameterization of emergency models, as an example, a model of fire and explosion development in existing extended dead-end workings (more than 1000 m long) passing coaxially to each other at different heights was developed.

For more information, see the article:
📌 Perestoronin M.O., Parshakov O.S., Popov M.D. Parameterization of a ventilation network model for the analysis of mine working emergency ventilation modes. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2023;8(2):150–161. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2022-10-13


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#inenglish #MST #mine #fire #explosion #emergency #simulation #AeroNetwork #parameterization #safety

How to estimate the modulus of deformation of a block rock masses using discrete element simulations?

The deformation modulus of rock mass is a fundamental parameter in the geomechanics of tunnels, mining, and other geotechnical rock-supported facilities. The mechanical properties of a rock mass, seen as a fractured medium, are determined by the intact rock, the pattern of relative joint-sets, the geometrical arrangement of the joints, and their mechanical properties. Joint sets, acting as planar discontinuities, confer scale and direction-dependent mechanical properties. The critical factor influencing the deformational behavior of a rock mass is the stiffness of its fractures and discontinuities. The present study investigates the anisotropic deformation modulus of blocky rock masses formed by three intersecting joint sets, including two orthogonal sets. This was achieved through discrete element simulations of representative volumes of blocky rock masses. These studies facilitate the estimation of the blocky rock mass deformation modulus in different directions without the need for laboratory and in-situ tests or empirical relationships.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Ahrami O., Javaheri Koupaei H., Ahangari K. Determination of deformation modulus and characterization of anisotropic behavior of blocky rock masses. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):116-133. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-08-143

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#inenglish #MST #anisotropy #deformation #modulus #mass #rocks #loading #fracture #stiffness #strength #shear #resistance #stress #displacement #sliding #quartz #modeling #coefficient #index #blocks #deformations #material #surface #structure #boundary #experiment #geomechanics #JRC #UCS #GSI #simulation

How to determine the deformation modulus and anisotropy in blocky rock masses?

🔹 In a study published in Mining Science and Technology (Russia), the authors investigated the anisotropic behavior of blocky rock masses. They employed the discrete element method to model and analyze the deformation modulus as a function of loading direction, joint properties, and intact rock characteristics.

🔹 Key Findings:
✔️ The deformation modulus depends on the Joint Roughness Coefficient (JRC) and the Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) of the intact rock.
✔️ The influence of joint roughness on the deformation modulus is three times greater than that of intact rock strength.
✔️ The degree of anisotropy in the deformation modulus ranged from 1.6 ≤ Rₑ ≤ 2.5, with an average value of 1.88.
✔️ During joint sliding failure, the yield strain (0.2–0.4) is independent of the loading angle (θ) and the orientation of the third joint set (α).

🔹 Practical Applications:
The results enable the prediction of rock mass behavior without costly field tests, which is crucial for designing tunnels, boreholes, and other geotechnical structures.

Read the full study in Mining Science and Technology (Russia):

📌 Ahrami O., Javaheri Koupaei H., Ahangari K. Determination of deformation modulus and characterization of anisotropic behavior of blocky rock masses. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):116–133. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-08-143

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#InEnglish #MST #anisotropy #deformation #modulus #mass #rocks #loading #fracture #stiffness #strength #shear #resistance #stress #displacement #sliding #quartz #modeling #coefficient #index #blocks #deformations #material #surface #structure #boundary #experiment #geomechanics #JRC #UCS #GSI #simulation

We present the articles of the first issue of scientific journal "Mining Science and Technology" (Russia) for 2025:

Scientists have developed a mechatronic system for testing gearboxes in mining shovels. The mechanical transmissions of hoist and drag winches, as well as crowd mechanisms, operate under extreme variable and shock cyclic loads, requiring strict quality control. The new test bench performs running-in and acceptance testing of gearboxes under conditions closely simulating actual operation. It supports testing for various shovel models including EKG-8US, EKG-10, EKG-12K, and others. The system uses DC motors (350 kW and 560 kW) and standard transistor converters with PWM control. The software, based on the "Pulsar-7" diagnostic system, provides manual and automatic control, multiple loading modes (constant, variable, cyclic), automated test reporting, and excavation cycle simulation. A mathematical model was developed in Simulink to simulate the running-in process. The test bench has been successfully implemented in industrial applications.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Malafeev S.I., Malafeeva A.A., Konyashin V.I., Novgorodov A.A. Mechatronic system for running-in and testing of mechanical transmissions in mining shovels. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2025;10(1):75–83. DOI:10.17073/2500-0632-2024-05-262

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#InEnglish #MST #MiningMachinery #Mechatronics #Shovel #Gearbox #RunningIn #Testing #Simulation #Control #System #TestBench #Winch #Crowd #DC #PWM #Diagnostics #Load #EKG #Transmission #CyclicLoads

How to enhance flotation efficiency of complex ores using electrochemistry?

A new study proposes an innovative approach to flotation beneficiation based on direct potentiometry methods. Researchers have demonstrated that monitoring the electrochemical parameters of pulp can increase process efficiency by 7.8% while reducing reagent consumption!

🔹 Key Findings:
1. Electrochemical monitoring using ion-selective sensors (pH, Ag₂S, Pt) enables real-time determination of optimal reagent dosages.
2. Maintaining the Ag₂S electrode potential at -450 mV increased copper recovery in the concentrate to 83.1% (compared to 75.8% with conventional methods).
3. Reduced research time through automated pulp analysis and elimination of labor-intensive experiments.
4. Potential for AI integration to develop a "digital assistant" for flotation operators, capable of adapting to changes in ore composition.

🔗 Read the full article:
Yakovleva T.A., Romashev A.O., Mashevsky G.N. Enhancing flotation beneficiation efficiency of complex ores using ionometry methods. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):146-157. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-08-145

💬 Which technologies do you think hold the most promise for automating mineral processing? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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#InEnglish #MST #Flotation #Beneficiation #ComplexOres #Potentiometry #Ionometry #Optimization #Electrodes #Simulation #Reagents #ExperimentalDesign #pH #Ag2S #PtElectrodes #Science #Technology #Innovation