English | Русский
RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
INSTITUTE OF COMPREHENSIVE EXPLOITATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES
Department of the Theory of Mineral Deposit Development Planning
Laboratory for Environmentally Sustainable Exploitation and Preservation of Mineral Resources (Laboratory EcoMine IPKON RAS)
Mining complex waste management | 3D lab tour
    Main tasks and objectives of the Laboratory in the mining complex waste management:
  • development of scientifically grounded proposals for efficient utilization of solid mineral mining and processing wastes;
  • formulation of recommendations on backfilling technologies for underground ore mines;
  • development and optimization of backfill mixtures based on locally available binders and aggregates (mainly, wastes);
  • validation of backfill mixture transportation methods;
  • development of technologies of the filling mass formation with due account for geological and mining conditions.
  • The most important engineering solutions developed by the Laboratory:
  • development of gypsum-containing waste-based backfill mixtures and fabrication technology;
  • recommendations on the fabrication of hardening backfill mixtures for underground ore mines based on “mill-free” technology;
  • development of clinker-based and cement-free backfill mixtures;
  • validation of a new conception of ore mining and processing waste utilization in a chemically bound state and disposal to mined-out
  • areas of surface and underground ore mines. The Laboratory is furnished with modern equipment: for ore processing (crushers, grinders, vibratory cone and ball mills, thermostat, sieving machines); for studying of physical and chemical properties of minerals and mixtures (compression testing machines, ultrasound analyzer of the rock mass strength, laboratory-scale vibratory plate; construction material moisture meter, sclerometer, Vikat apparatus, core drilling device). The Laboratory is also furnished with a KBF 720 constant climate chamber for modeling of any underground conditions, accelerated climate tests for various industrial sectors).
Chemical analytical studies | 3D lab tour
    For validation of mineral processing technologies the Laboratory performs the following geological-mineralogical studies:
  • research into texture and structure characteristics of ores and mining technology-related materials;
  • quantification of morphological parameters of mineral grains and complexes;
  • with the estimation of mass percent, percent of loose grains and intergrowth, assessment of data on intergrowth: composition and size of all types of intergrowth;
  • research into element composition of ores, enclosing rock, mineral processing tailings (solid phase);
  • Experts of the Laboratory perform studies on the validation and development of mineral processing flowsheets. The Laboratory also performs studies on the estimation of element composition of ores, enclosing rock, mineral processing tailings (solid phase), develops mineral processing flowsheets, assesses the quality of process solutions. In field conditions the research can be performed into rock, soil and ore properties. Olympus X-5000 portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer of chemical composition is available for the analysis of crude ore, ore concentrates, metals, slags. The range of measurable elements is from magnesium (Mg) to uranium (U), samples – standard cells for XRF analysis, test flasks with liquid samples, packaged samples.
Mine surveying and geomechanics
    The Laboratory performs the following work on mine surveying:
  • construction and development of mine surveying reference, and plan and vertical control networks in mine workings, surveying in mine workings and on the land surface, preparing mine surveying documentation and expansion of document collection, staking and fixing of geometry elements of mine workings, communication lines, boreholes, etc., boundaries of safe mining operations, barrier and safety pillars, protective zones and technical areas of buildings and structures, etc.;
  • estimation and accounting ( on the basis of instrumental measurements, mine surveying and geological documentation) of the scope of main mining, construction and assembly processes;
  • surveying of buildings, engineering structures, service lines, etc., systematizing of information;
  • supervision of compliance of urban underground structure construction projects, design and technical documentation;
  • The Laboratory personnel participate in the development of measures aimed at the perfection of industrial safety and perform instrumental monitoring of the processes of rock movement, mine workings, buildings and structures located in the areas of mining effect with the subsequent analysis of monitoring results. Development and design of mine surveying projects, and preparing the reports on the implemented mine survey projects. Besides, the Laboratory designs monitoring station projects and prepares recommendations on the perfection of management and methods of work and implementation of monitoring based on a broad range of achievements of science, technology and advanced practice.
Environmental expertise and support for mining projects | 3D lab tour
The Laboratory performs the following activities:
  • comprehensive research into the environmental effect of mine operation;
  • development of recommendations on the minimization of harmful environmental effect of mine operation;
  • studies performed for the estimation of CO2, dust particle and nano-particle concentrations in the atmosphere;
  • estimation of the ambient equivalent dose rate and ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma (X-ray) radiation, density of beta- and alpha-particle flux from contaminated surfaces;
  • estimation of the indication of ionizing particles flux of ore and mine waste samples;
  • measuring of harmful physical factors in production: noise, vibration, infrasound, electromagnetic radiation, etc.;
  • studying the composition of water for the presence of heavy metals, nitrites, phosphates, etc.;
  • analysis of the composition of solutions for metal ion concentrations by standard methods and procedures, or those advised by a customer. For the assessment of the atmosphere condition the Laboratory is equipped with the following: DiSCmini portable nanoparticle analyzer for 10-700 nm diameter particle monitoring, with 10³ - 106 particle/cm³ concentration in the air, including the assessment of toxic nanoparticles; DT-9880 dust particle counter for measuring of concentrations of 0.3 to 10 µm solid particles with 70∙106 particle/cm³ concentration, temperature within a -20ºC to +500ºC range. MKS-01CA1 dosimeter-radiometer intended for the measuring of ambient equivalent dose rate and ambient dose equivalent rate of gamma (X-ray) radiation within 0.1 to 1∙104 min-1∙cm-2 range. density of beta- and alpha-particle flux from contaminated surfaces and indication of ionizing particles flux within 5 to 3∙104 min-1∙cm-2, search of ionizing radiation sources. Ekofizika-110A precision sound level meter with a set of measuring-software modules, such as P3-80-EN500 and P3-80-E DIN digital meters, for the measuring of harmful physical factors: noise, vibration, infrasound, electromagnetic radiation, etc. DT-9862 high-temperature pyrometer intended for temperature non-contact measurement of the surface in particularly complicated conditions, within a -50°С to 2200°С temperature range.