The Arctic zone of Russia is a territory where such minerals as gold and other precious metals are concentrated. Most often, the development of such deposits is carried out by an open method. The conditions hindering its use should be considered: the depth of distribution of permafrost and significant amplitude of changes in atmospheric air temperature during the year, month and day. The consequence of the alternation in depth of temperature zones may be the formation of recirculation zones in which harmful substances accumulate. Purpose of work. Study of the formation of velocity and temperature fields in a quarry under natural ventilation, taking into account the complex dynamics of atmospheric air temperature. Research methods. Systematization, generalization and analysis of theoretical and experimental studies in this area, including those carried out at the considered fields. Analysis of the results of mathematical modeling of aerodynamic processes in a quarry. Results. It is noted that to assess the peculiarities of formation of the mine atmosphere parameters it is sufficient to carry out only mathematical modeling of aerodynamic processes allowing to define the conditions of temperature inversions formation and dimensions of recirculation zones being potentially dangerous for accumulation of pollutants. The methodology of aerodynamic processes modeling taking into account the geometry of the pit space, temperature gradient, speed and direction of the wind flow is proposed. It is shown that at positive and negative temperature differences for the two investigated air media the development of recirculation movement zones of air masses that assure the accumulation of pollutants which in turn leads to reduced efficiency of natural ventilation in the pit, is characteristic. The conclusion has been made on the necessity to apply additional engineering measures during the period of inversion formation with negative temperature gradient in order to normalize the pit air parameters.