Prospects for resuming the underground development of magnetite quartzites in Ukraine, mining, technological and economic aspects

Abstract

Purpose. Substantiation of expediency and prospects for resuming the development of magnetite quartzites by underground method in Ukraine. Methodology. Analysis of literature sources, project documentation and practical data that contain information on the current state and conditions for the development of iron ore in Ukraine, as well as data on varieties and state of reserves of different types of these ores. Findings. The problem, faced by domestic iron ore mining enterprises in connection with reaching the large depths of mining operations and the emergence of a shortage of raw material resources, is described. The volumes of magnetite quartzites, which are contained in the dormant mines, operating mines, and those mines of Ukraine that are not currently in operation, are determined. The expediency and directions for resuming the development of these ores, as well as expanding the raw material base of the domestic iron ore mining industry, are justified. Originalty. The principal approaches to the implementation at a modern technological and technical level of the cyclic-flow underground mining technology for the development of magnetite quartzite reserves, which is capable of ensuring the economic efficiency of their extraction at depths where the open method of their development becomes unprofitable, are expanded. Practical value. Ensuring the economic efficiency of underground development of magnetite quartzite reserves in operating conditions of the iron ore mining enterprises of Ukraine leads to a significant expansion of their raw material base, which is currently constantly decreasing, as well as support of the production capacity of these enterprises for a long period of time, and allows Ukraine to remain one of the leaders in the iron ore mining industry in the world. Key words: prospects, underground mining, magnetite quartzites, mining, technological, economic aspects.