Conceptions about Establishment of the Environmentally Harmless Oil Shale Mining and Chemical Complex

Abstract

Estonian oil shale deposits have the age-old experience of mining and thermal processing of this hydrocarbon mineral, which is unique in its natural and chemical properties. Oil shale mining perspectives and experience of its burning and thermal processing accumulated by mining, power, and chemical industries of Estonia are very important factors of the economic development of the country on a whole. Authors have studied new methods of oil shale mining and its industrial use in the U.S., Australia, Russia, and Sweden. Production achievements of oil shale industries of Estonia have been analyzed as well. “Estonia” mine, with perspective reserves of this mineral as well as experience of exploitation of natural resources in mining operation areas, was taken as the basis for approval of the idea of complex use of oil shale and underground gotten mines. Technical and organizational development for establishment of environmentally safe and economically sound multi-product mining and chemical complexes at the Estonian oil shale deposits are given in the article.