Department Of Mines Research Articles

“Observations stopped on the occasion of the cession of Alaska”: St. Petersburg academy of sciences’ magnetic and meteorological observatory in sitka (Alaska)

Based on the new archival materials from the Russian State Archive of the Navy, Russian State Historical Archive, and St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Archive, the history of the organization and operations of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences’ Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory in Alaska (the city of Sitka / Sitkha) was analyzed for the first time. This Observatory operated from 1839 until the sale of Alaska in 1867. The themes from the history of the Observatory reviewed in the article are the background for its creation, the participation of the international scientific community (Royal Society of London) in its founding, and the contribution of the Russian-American Company and its leaders, primarily Arvid Adolf Etholén, to its construction and operations. The archival data relating to the observations conducted at the Observatory (mean daily temperature) are provided for the first time. The fact that the Observatory, being officially subordinate to the Mining Department of the Ministry of Finance, was scientifically managed by the Academy of Sciences, helps to better understand the specifics of interagency links and communication in the Russian Empire in the 19ʰᵗ century. The article also sheds light on the personal contribution of Director of the Central Physical Observatory, A. Ya. (Adolph-Theodor) Kupffer, to the formation of the Observatory in Sitka, briefly reviews the instruments and devices employed by the Observatory, and, for the first time, provides the names of its directors and other staff.

The Progress/Status of Ecological Assessment on the Intensive Land Use in Selenge and Darkhan-Uul Province, Mongolia

Abstract. The study area, it includes Darkhan-Uul and Selenge provinces of Mongolia, is included in the most favourable natural-geographical areas, and the migration of people with livestock from the peripheral areas has led to an increase in the population, as well as a sharp increase in the number of grazing animals, resulting in the effects of natural and human activities. give an evaluation, develop the basis for the proper use of the land in the future. In Mongolia, the methods and principles of land evaluation differ depending on the general classification and purpose of land, so considering these characteristics, land evaluation is carried out by (1) the Department of Agriculture, (2) the Department of Urban Development, Industry and Mines, (3) the Department of Roads and Networks, (4) it is divided into types of land with forest reserves (Tserenbaljir, B. Naranchimeg, 2004). In the "instructions for land evaluation" issued by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1976, in the assessment of land quality, in addition to the main indicators of soil fertility and moisture, climate, land cover and use, chemical pollutions such as an alkaline acidity. In the ecological assessment study, data on land use, soil, vegetation, climate, natural conditions, resources, socio-economic, satellite and field studies were collected in numerical and tabular form. The Ecological assessment in intensive land use is divided into qualitative and quantitative assessment. The Qualitative assessment predicts ecological properties. The Quantitative methods use multi-species numerical methods to record ecological elements and calculate the overall percentage of ecological characteristics.

Development of Gold Mining Industry in Yakutia in 1920s

This study explores the history of the emergence of the gold mining sector in the mining industry of Yakutia during the early stages of the Soviet-style economy. Despite the longstanding presence of artisanal gold mining in Yakutia, the industrial development of gold in the republic was not considered until the mid1922. The establishment of the Yakut ASSR played a crucial role in shaping the real prospects for gold mining development. The management structure, including the People’s Commissariat of Trade and Industry under the republican government with industrial and mining departments, successfully coordinated activities such as organizing expeditions to survey deposits, developing work plans, recruiting personnel, and addressing supply issues in mining areas. It is concluded that through the coordinated efforts of the Yakut ASSR government, the state trust “Aldanzoloto” of local significance was established within a short period, showcasing the competence of the autonomous republic in organizing the creation of the foundations of mining production. Valuable experience accumulated over three years laid the groundwork for the seamless integration of Yakutia’s gold mining industry into the unified economic system of the USSR.

Comparison and analysis research on occupational exposure limits of coal dust between China and foreign countries

Objective: To study and compare the occupational exposure limits (OELs) of coal dust between China and foreign countries, understand the OEL of coal dust in China, and provide data and basis for revising the OEL of coal dust in China. Methods: In August 2023, by searching the official websites of limits setting institutions in relevant countries and regions at home and abroad, collecting and sorting out the OELs of coal dust issued by 10 limit setting institutions in 6 countries and the background information of the formulation, and conducting specific analysis on the classification, limit level and formulation principles of coal dust OEL in each country/institution. Results: In China and Japan, the total dust and respirable dust of coal dust OEL were established respectively, while in other countries, only the time-weighted average concentration (TWA) of respirable coal dust exposure was established. The TWA prescribed by China's Notional Health Commission, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) , the United States Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Australian Safety Work Bureau when the SiO(2) content was less than 5% were 5, 2.4, 2 and 3 mg/m(3) respectively. China GBZ 2.1-2019 sets the limit of 2.5 mg/m(3) for respirable coal dust with SiO(2) content less than 10%. The TWA set by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the South African Department of Mines and Energy (DME) for anthracite coal were 0.4 and 0.8 mg/m(3), respectively, and bituminous coal or lignite were 0.9 and 1.8 mg/m(3), respectively. The respirable coal dust TWA set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States was 1 mg/m(3), and the TWA set by the New Zealand Work Safety Authority was 3 mg/m(3). Conclusion: At present, the OEL of coal dust in China is at a relatively loose level, and it is suggested to further explore the possibility of revising coal dust OEL.

Experiences of mine closure cover with geosynthetics in Peru

Peru is internationally recognized as one of the countries with significant mining reserves. According to the Department of Energy and Mines (MINEM), as of December 2021, a total of 672 mining concession holders were registered and declared in the Monthly Statistical Declaration (ESTAMIN). Likewise, 44 mining concessions are in the closure stage (progressive, post-closure and final). In addition, Peru has 7956 Mining Environmental Liabilities (MEL) as of 2020, according to the inventory approved by the Department of Energy and Mines, which need to be remediated as they constitute a permanent and potential risk to the health of the population, the surrounding ecosystem and property. As part of the closure of these MEL and closure of some mining components, the use of geosynthetics has increased in Peru, and we speak specifically of the closure cover in slopes, platforms, sidewalks and others, which has become relevant as an alternative solution for soils selected as part of a traditional closure, the objective of this work is to present a series of experiences of the application of geosynthetics in mine closure covers, which intervene in the physical, geochemical and hydrological stability. It is worth mentioning that geosynthetics have been applied in Peru for more than 30 years in mining projects.

Modelling of a multi-seam hard coal deposit using IT tools

With the rising demand for mineral resources, efficient deposit management has become a critical challenge in modern mining. This article underscores the significance of geological modeling in coal deposit management, emphasizing the essential role that digital deposit models play across various mine departments. It outlines the methodology for creating geological models, detailing steps such as data digitization, validation, model construction, calibration, and continuous updates. The article examines three specific deposit modelling software programs (Minex, MineScape, and Carlson) highlighting their unique features and suitability for multi-seam coal deposits. The findings include the development of contour maps, structural and qualitative models, and conducting economic analyses. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of modelling tectonic disturbances and creating qualitative maps for effective deposit exploitation planning. It concludes by emphasizing that the integration of information technology with geological expertise is crucial for precise planning and optimization of mining operations, leading to more efficient and sustainable resource management.

Полемика академика В. П. Безобразова с горным инженером И. П. Котляревским на рубеже 1860-1870-х гг. об уральских казённых заводах и конструирование региональной идентичности

Polemics of academician V.P. Bezobrazov with mining engineers at the turn of the 1860-1870s., caused by the different estimation of Ural state-owned factories, is considered in the article. They influenced the revalorization of the Ural industry and the construction of regional identity. In 1868-1869 V.P. Bezobrazov published a report on a trip to the Urals (article in the journal “Russian Bulletin” (“Russkii vestnik”), monograph “Ural Mining and the issue of selling state-owned mining plants” (“Ural'skoe gornoe hozjajstvo i vopros o prodazhe kazennyh gornyh zavodov”)). He criticized the management of Ural state-owned factories and suggested that the government sell them to private individuals. Mining engineers considered the academician a demagogue: he, instilling capitalist relations, denigrated the achievements of the mining industry, represented mining officials as negligent administrators, formed a complex of guilt in them. Mining engineers defended their position with the help of the public sphere, the media, and the impact on public opinion. The head of the Mining Department, V.K. Rashet, has publicly opposed the sale of the plants. Articles by V.I. Rozhkov and I.P. Kotlyarevsky appeared in the “Mountain Journal” (“Gornyi zhurnal”). After I.P. Kotlyarevsky published 6 articles in the Mountain Journal criticizing Bezobrazov's monograph. In 1870, they were published as a separate book “Notes on the Ural Mining Economy” (“Zametki ob ural'skom gornom hozjajstve”). V.P. Bezobrazov revised the ideas about the mining plant Urals from a capitalist position. Opponents considered the Ural industry the basis of regional identity and defended mining values.

Discrepancies and Research Gaps on the Lithostratigraphy of the Jajarkot Thrust Sheet, Western Nepal Himalaya

The interaction between the Indian and Asian plates has led to the formation of imbricated thrust sheets in the Himalayas. This study focuses on a segment of the Jajarkot Thrust Sheet, characterized by metamorphic rocks, including garnet-biotite schist, biotite schist, quartzite interlayers, and marbles. The upper stratigraphic sequence of this thrust sheet contains fossiliferous rocks from the Paleozoic era. Prior classifications have identified three main units: Chaurjhari Formation, Thabang Formation, and Jaljala Formation. However, the Department of Mines and Geology recognizes two units: Siuri Formation and Surbang Formation. This discrepancy, along with inconsistent terminologies like "Jajarkot nappe" and "Jajarkot klippe", highlights the need for a unified stratigraphic framework. Such clarity is crucial for assessing mineralization potentials, particularly for iron and copper, in western Nepal and understanding the thrust sheet's tectonic history within the broader Himalayan context.

Analysis of Human Error Potential as a Cause of Work Accident using Sherpa and Heart Method in The Cement Industry

This study was conducted to analyze the potential for human error that can cause workplace accidents in the cement industry of PT.X. The study was conducted by conducting observations, interviews, and distributing questionnaires in the mining area and production area. Questionnaires were distributed to 96 people who were mining heavy equipment operators and production operators. The research method used through Human Reliability Analysis with the Hierarchial Task Analysis (HTA) method, knowing the types of errors that occur using the SHERPA method, then calculating the probability of human errors that occur with the HEART method. Based on the results of research using the SHERPA method, the most common types of errors in mining areas and production areas are action errors (60,25%). The type of error that occurs is due to negligence in using personal protective equipment and the work process is not completed properly. Based on research using the HEART method, the greatest opportunity for human error in the mining department is cleaning with dozer with a value of 1,056 and in the production department is in the area of cleaning work with a value of 1,89. Based on the error producing conditions questionnaire (EPCs) for workers in the mining department the most common cause of error is poor equipment / instruments while for workers in the production department is a mismatch between the imagined risk and the actual risk. The recommendations given to companies are to improve work equipment, improve visual displays and provide an appropriate assessment checklist.

Early Ordovician trilobites from Barnicarndy 1 stratigraphic well of the southern Canning Basin, Western Australia

Twenty-three trilobite taxa are described here from the Early Ordovician (Tremadocian to Floian) Nambeet Formation retrieved from the Barnicarndy 1 drillcore, Canning Basin, Western Australia. This includes one new genus, Veeversaspis gen. nov., and six new species: Asaphellus zheni sp. nov., Madiganaspis lauriei sp. nov., Norasaphus (Norasaphus) jagoi sp. nov., Rodingaia leggi sp. nov., Sanbernardaspis excalibur sp. nov., and Veeversaspis jelli gen. et sp. nov. This fauna can be divided into three stratigraphically distinct assemblages, the Apatokephalus sp.–Veeversaspis jelli gen. et sp. nov. Assemblage (2177.50–2382.94 m depth), Asaphellus trinodosus Assemblage (2030.07–2177.52 m depth), and Asaphellus zheni sp. nov. Assemblage (1595.83–2001.88 m depth). The two stratigraphically lowest assemblages are consistent with a late to latest Tremadocian age (both within the Paroistodus proteus Zone). The third, and highest, assemblage is consistent with a mid-Floian age (within the Oepikodus communis Zone). This systematic contribution refines previous biostratigraphic work based on an age-diagnostic conodont fauna and demonstrates the stratigraphic utility of using multiple taxonomic groups for more robust biostratigraphic age estimates. P.M. Smith [ Patrick.Smith@austmus.gov.au ], Palaeontology Department, Australian Museum Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, 2010, Australia, and Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia. H.J. Allen [ heidi.allen@dmirs.wa.gov.au ], Geological Survey of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Mineral House, 100 Plain Street, East Perth, Western Australia, 6004, Australia.

Legislative regulation of the execution of military orders at state-owned mining plants

The article considers the process of creating " Temporary rules for giving and executing orders of the Military and Maritime ministries by state-owned mining plants, analyzes the editions of 1871 and 1888. It is concluded that the " Rules "of 1871 more expressed the interests of customers who sought to free themselves from" mandatory relations " with the mining department. The "Rules" of 1888 and other later editions were aimed at protecting the interests of mining enterprises. Thanks to them, state-owned mining plants secured a significant share of the Russian arms market, which became one of the reasons for the weakness of the Russian military industry by the beginning of the First World War.

Study of Formation Damage Mechanism Affected by Drilling Fluid Lost During the Drilling Operation by Using Special Additives Materials

Progress in Petrochemical Science Study of Formation Damage Mechanism Affected by Drilling Fluid Lost During the Drilling Operation by Using Special Additives Materials Kioumars Taheri* and Farhad Mohammad Torab Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Yazd University, Iran *Corresponding author: Kioumars Taheri, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran Submission: October 21, 2022;Published: January 10, 2023 DOI: 10.31031/PPS.2023.04.000597 ISSN 2637-8035Volume4 Issue5

Problems in the Work of Mining Supervision in the Urals in the Early 20th Century

This article continues the study of one of the constituent parts of the reform of the organisational foundations of the Russian mining industry in the second half of the nineteenth — early twentieth centuries, associated with the organisation of state supervision over private industry. The author deals with problems faced by officials of mining supervision, i.e. district engineers of the Ural mining region. In the early twentieth century, it remained the largest in terms of the number of objects of supervision and this aspect is in many respects indicative of what was happening around the whole country. According to the district engineers themselves, at that time, they had to face both problems of organising their work (defining the boundaries of districts and objects of supervision, financing, and official status), and problems related to the performance of their duties (lack of “measures of influence” on entrepreneurs). It turns out that if the former ones got solved, although not always promptly, the latter ones persisted, despite their acute character and social significance. It is concluded that the main reason for this was the different levels of overcoming certain problems. If organisational issues were resolved by means of administrative measures, as a rule, finding understanding in the mining department itself, functional ones required the approval of legislative bodies which brought them to a level of discussion where the mining department was no longer of decisive importance. The presence of diverse difficulties in the work of mining supervision in the early twentieth century indicates that at the final stage of its existence, it was not a perfect institution and did not always achieve its main goal of educating responsible entrepreneurship in such an important sector of the economy as the mining industry.

Mining dust as a health threat to employees of extraction departments of coal mines

Mining dust as a health threat to employees of extraction departments of coal mines

Prediction of airblast levels at Anglogold Iduapriem mine using empirical models

The study used empirical predictor models to predict airblast (vibration) levels at AngloGold Iduapriem mine in Tarkwa, Western Region of Ghana to address the complaints of Teberebie and Domeabra citizens on the effects of blasting activities on their structures and environment. The predictor empirical models adopted for the study were USBM, National Association of Australian State, McKenzine’s, Ollofson’s, Holmberg and Persson’s predictors. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Coefficient of determination (R2) and the standard error equation (s) performance indices were used to determine and compare the accuracy, precision and the associated level of deviation of each predictor from the measured data. Measured airblast levels, cooperating charges (kg) and the distances from the blast face to the monitoring point data were obtained from the mining department of the mine. The site constants of AngloGold Iduapriem mine according to the USBM Predictor are H = 141.48 and ß = 0.0568 respectively. The performance indices (R2, RMSE and s) for the USBM Predictor have the values of 0.9913, 0.2729 and 9.60 while that of McKenzine’s predictor model has the values of 0.9886, 0.2982 and 11.41 respectively. The study, therefore, concluded that the USBM predictor is the best empirical model to predict the airblast level at Anglogold Iduapriem Mine.

Pages from the History of the Zlatoust Prince-Michael Plant and the Samples of Its Products in the Collection of the Mining Museum of St. Petersburg Mining University

The paper considers the history of the Zlatoust Prince-Michael Plant (“Knyaze-Mikhailovskaya fabrika”), the first steel-gun enterprise in Russia, where P. M. Obukhov, a great Russian metallurgist and graduate of Mining University, created the Russian gun steel, and reviews and analyzes the Plant’s products deposited at the Mining Museum of St. Petersburg Mining University. Among other things, the article analyzes the role of Obukhov and N. V. Vorontsov, another renowned Mining University graduate who founded the gun-steel plant in Perm, in the creation of this plant. Particular attention is given to the Prince-Michael Plant’s role as a laboratory for making the special Obukhov steel used for manufacturing the first Russian steel cannon and gun barrels for Berdan rifles. The history of the collaboration between the Mining Museum and the Zlatoust Plant, under the auspices of which the Prince-Michael Plant was created in 1859, began in 1819 when, by order of the Mining Department, the best samples of the Plant’s products began to be regularly sent to the Museum. The article reviews the Mining Museum exhibits made from the Obukhov steel: gun barrels and samples of gun steel as well as the tools for making bladed weapons. These items were intended for the 14th All-Russia Industrial Exhibition held in St. Petersburg in 1870, Moscow Polytechnic Exhibition held in 1872, and 1873 Vienna Worldʼs Fair. An important part of this work is the analysis of historical context in which the making and development of weapon manufacturing at the Prince-Michael Plant occurred.

MINERAL WEALTH OF THE METALLURGICAL FACTORIES OF THE VYATKA PROVINCE IN THE PRE-REFORM PERIOD

The author studied the specifics of the mineral resource base of the iron and copper smelting factories of the mining department on the territory of the Vyatka province at the end of the XVIII - first half of the XIX centuries. The article pays attention to mining legislation of the mineral resources exploration in the Russian Empire. The dynamics of the mines number is studied on the example of the northern and southern economic districts of the Vyatka province. The percentage of fields put into operation has been determined. The reasons of stopping of mines have been revealed. The dependence of the productivity level on the quality of natural resources, technical and technological conditions (predominance of manual labor, lack of mechanisms), personnel problems (shortage of specialists and workers) has been determined. Conclusions are drawn that, on the one hand, the mining and metallurgical industry of the Vyatka province occupied a significant place in the income structure of the region, and on the other hand, the percentage of iron and copper production was half as much as in the Urals, due to the peculiarities of local ores and a number of other reasons.

Effect of process solution saturation with oxygen on uranium in-situ leaching performance

One of the effective methods of mining low-grade uranium deposits is the in-situ leaching technology. On the other hand, in difficult geological conditions, this technology fails to provide the desired effect and increases duration of mining, which, eventually, evaluates production costs. Feasibility of increasing uranium content in pregnant solution and reducing production period is governed by ferric iron concentration in process solution. For increasing the ferric iron concentration and, thus, the content of uranium in pregnant solution in uranium in-situ leaching, it is proposed to saturate the leach solution with atmospheric oxygen using the Venturi tube. The lab-scale tests of core materials for determining dependence of the uranium content in the pregnant solution on the oxygen concentration in the leach solution prove the advantages of the proposed technology of uranium in-situ leaching. According to many researchers, the uranium recovery in the pregnant solution in in-situ leaching depends on the degree of saturation of the leaching solutions with oxygen capable to oxidize ferrous iron (Fe2) to ferric iron (Fe3) and, thereby, to stimulate oxidizability of the leaching environment. The objective of the studies was to determine parameters of saturation of process solutions with oxygen. The authors express their sincere gratitude to Doctor of Engineering, Professor of the Mining Department at the Satbayev Kazakh National Technical University and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan Kh. A. Yusupov for the auspices and fruitful advice in the course of this research.

Accelerated testing of rock and drilling tool interaction

The article describes the methods of accelerated reliability, strength, wear resistance and cutting capability testing of drilling tools. The design solutions are proposed for the comparative accelerated testing of cutting elements—plates, cutters, crowns, at their contact with rocks of various hardness and abrasiveness. The design of the experimental setup using the weight method of wear control with regard to geometric parameters of a tool is proposed. The nature and amount of wear are duplicated by testing samples on the machine MI-1M, which ensures satisfactory assessment of the wear rate. Based on the dependencies and patterns obtained, it is possible to create a mathematical model of the drilling process with the assessment of the reliability and durability of tools. The proposed approach allows optimizing the cost of drilling. In practice, the tools equipped with diamonds, hard-alloy plates and pins are often unjustifiably used, which is confirmed by the experimental studies. The accelerated testsare needed to determine the actual cutting parameters. It is noticed that a new tool is characterized by a higher productivity, which, with the wear of the tool, i.e. with the change in the geometry of the cutting part of the tool, decreases with the simultaneous increase in the torque and axial force of the tool. Tests of cutting tools on an experimental plant open up opportunities for improving the design of the tools, as well as for creating special mobile small-sized devices for periodic restoration of geometry of cutting elements immediately in operation. The proposed plant was designed by the scientists of the Applied Geology and Mining Department of the Belgorod State University and can be used by scientific organizations and production companies associated with rock drilling, including under a business contract.

Application of Spectral Entropy in Haul Truck Joint Damage Detection.

Early detection of machine failures is often beneficial, both financially and in terms of worker safety. The article presents the problem of frequently damaged joints in haul trucks, which are a real threat to the health and life of drivers. It was decided to investigate the problem in terms of dynamic overloads using two NGIMU inertial sensors and placing them in two places on the machine in close proximity to a joint. The data were captured during the standard operation of various machines in several mining departments, which allowed for the detection of a variety of factors influencing vibration. A hypothesis was developed that any changes in the joint would cause a change in the characteristics of vibrations, which were measured using the spectral entropy of vertical vibrations. Analyses have shown that there is a relationship between the change in spectral entropy difference (between the front and back of the vehicle) and joint events: nut tightening, nut replacement, and even joint fracture and replacement. The presented results offer the potential to create a tool for joint diagnostics and the early detection of damage or backlash.