Ore Loss Research Articles

Модернизация технологий месторождений оловянных руд с учетом ретроспективной оценки опыта восстановления потенциала предприятий

The article describes the experience of restoring the potential of enterprises in the tin industry of the Khabarovsk Territory and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in difficult mining and geological conditions. The purpose of the study is a retrospective assessment of the experience of improving the technology of mining tin ores in stable rocks. Materials and methods. The goal is achieved through comprehensive research, including analysis and synthesis, comparison of calculated and experimental data, calculations of mass control parameters and measures to improve the quality of ores. Results. The characteristics of the deposits and the features of their location and ore extraction are given. The parameters of the applied development systems with differentiation into variants are detailed. A scheme of options is given with a critical analysis of their advantages and disadvantages so that they can be reproduced in similar conditions. Discussion. The effectiveness of the integration of ore mining processes and equipment for their implementation is shown. The experience of using an arsenal of systems for the development of shallow and inclined deposits in stable host rocks is described. The experimentally obtained dependences of the size of the pillars on the fall of the ore body and the spans of the mine are given. The variants of a promising chamber development system with the delivery of ore by the force of an explosion are detailed. Conclusion. It is shown that the development of tin deposits with the integration of the capabilities of technological processes and equipment ensures effective development of the field while improving the safety of mining operations and extraction of minerals from the subsurface. Resume. It is concluded that the integration of mining processes and equipment for their implementation is a reserve for the implementation of the production program, and the experience of developing tin deposits can be in demand when modernizing existing technologies and designing new deposits of solid minerals. Suggestions for practical applications and directions for future research. Future research will be aimed at addressing issues related to reducing ore losses and dilution, improving the rock pressure management system and increasing the environmental and economic efficiency of the enterprise.

Ore dilution control when mining low-thickness ore bodies using a system of sublevel drifts

Purpose. The research is aimed at substantiating the optimal parameters of blast-hole ore breaking to reduce the rock mass destruction when mining low-thickness vein deposits using the mining system of sublevel drifts (SD). The focus is on analyzing the impact of blasting on the out-contour rock mass during the blast-hole breaking process. Methods. The three-dimensional block model is constructed using rating classifications of rocks based on studying their strength properties and structural peculiarities. The inelastic deformation zones around the stoping extraction are determined by numerical analysis using the finite element method in 2D formulation. Experimental blasts are assessed by varying the blast-hole drilling scheme depending on the stability rating. Findings. During the experimental-industrial tests, rational blast-hole drilling schemes have been substantiated, contributing to maintaining the stability of the host rocks when mining low-thickness veins. Originality. Effective methods for reducing the ore dilution have been substantiated, which take into account not only the strength properties and structural peculiarities of rocks, but also their seismic impact from blasting on the out-contour rock mass stability when mining low-thickness deposits using a system of sublevel drifts. Practical implications. Practical significance is in the possibility of minimizing the percentage of mineral dilution when mining low-thickness ore bodies using a system of sublevel drifts, which can significantly reduce the cost of mined minerals by reducing ore losses caused by the rock mass destruction during mining operations.

Study of the influence of ore water saturation on its losses in the process of release in laboratory conditions depending on changes in the fractional composition

Purpose is to highlight the main results of the conducted experiments on the introduction of saturated water (watered) ore into laboratory conditions and to monitor the changes in losses as a result of the correction of the fractional composition, which simulates the improvement of the grinding quality. The methods. Methodology of the model experiment. Thecalculation of the obtained data by statistical and mathematical methods. Results. Presentation of the layout, initial conditions, and coverage of the sequence of the experiment, the creation of summary tables with the results and the construction of graphs are the result of a study to determine the level of water-saturated ore losses. Experiments have shown that as a result of the release of ore saturated with water, the loss of ore increases depending on its saturation by 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 7%, and the possibility of stable release becomes difficult. It was established that the release of ore at its saturation of 9% is impossible for laboratory conditions. Ore losses under these parameters range from 18.57% to 31.3%. As a result of the simulation of improving the quality of grinding, due to the correction of the fractional composition, it was possible to reduce the maximum losses of the mineral from 31.3% to 28.54%. Scientific novelty. Additional regularities of the process of release of water-saturated ores are established. It was determined that changing the fractional composition reduces the level of losses during the release of water-saturated ores. A change in such parameters as the release angle and the height of the formation of ridges due to the saturation of the ore with water and the correlation of the fractional composition was revealed. The theory of ore release gained further development. Practical significance. The method of releasing water-saturated ores in laboratory conditions has been improved. The creation of a methodology for calculating the level of losses during the development of deposits of water-rich iron ores makes it possible to use resource-saving technologies of hydro fracturing as an alternative to the classic drilling-explosive method of destroying a rock mass, or predicting the level of losses in the event of a sudden ingress of water into the treatment space.

Влияние расстояния между выпускными выработками на потери руды от смерзания при выпуске

The paper considers the results of experimental studies of changes in the ore losses caused by congealing in the stoping zone during the drawing process in conditions of subzero temperatures in underground mining of eore deposits in the cryolithic zone, depending on the distance between the draw holes. Three series of experiments were performed using trench-shaped test benches with various distances betwen the draw holes. The distances between the access crosscuts were assumed to be 180, 200 and 220 mm, which is equal to 9, 10 and 11 m in actual conditions according to the adopted geometric scale of modeling. The results of modeling the bottom drawing in conditions of subzero temperatures, similar to the conditions of the underground ore mining in the cryolithic zone, showed that changes in the distance between the draw holes with the trench-shaped design of the bottom block have a significant impact on the extraction rates. When the distance between the draw holes is increased from 9 m to 11 m, the ore loss due to congealing during the draw phase rises from 24% to 42%. Experimental studies have shown that the increased distance between the draw holes in conditions of subzero temperatures in the bottom area leads to increased ore losses caused by congealing in the stoping area.

The Influence of Explosive and Rock Mass Properties on Blast Damage in a Single-Hole Blasting

In rock blasting for mining production, stress waves play a major role in rock fracturing, along with explosive gases. Better energy distribution improves fragmentation and safety, lowers production costs, increases productivity, and controls ore losses and dilution. Blast outcomes vary significantly depending on the choice of the explosive and the properties of the rock mass encountered. This study analyzes the effects of rock mass and explosive properties on blast outcomes via numerical simulation using data from the case study, and later validates the simulation results from the field blast fragmentation. The findings suggest that, for a given set of rock properties, the choice of explosive has a major influence on the resulting fragmentation. Strong explosives (high VOD and detonation pressure) favor large fracture extents in hard rocks, while weaker explosives offer a better distribution of explosive energy and fractures. The presence of rock structures such as rock contacts and joints influences the propagation of stress waves and fractures depending on the structures’ material properties, the intensity and orientations, and the direction and strength of the stress wave. When the stress wave encounters a contact depending on its direction, it is enhanced when traveling from soft to hard and attenuates in the opposite direction. The ability of the stress wave to cause fracturing on the opposite side of the contact depends on the intensity of the transmitted wave and the strength of the rock. Transmitted wave intensity is a function of the strength of the incident wave and the impedance difference between the interface materials. The presence of joints in the rock mass affects the propagation of the stress wave, mainly depending on the infill material properties and the angle at which the stress wave approaches the joint. Less compressible, higher stiffness joints transmit more energy. More energy is also transmitted in the areas where the stress wave hits the joint perpendicularly. Joints parallel to the free face offer additional fracturing on the opposite side of the joint. Other parameters, such as the joint width, continuity, fracture frequency, and the distance from the charge, enhance the effects. To achieve effective fragmentation, the blast design should mitigate the effect of variability in the rock mass via explosive selection and pattern design to ensure adequate energy distribution within the limits of geometric design.

Improvement of the methods for determining ore losses when designing cement raw material deposit mining by surface miner combines

Relevance. The need to optimize production of cement raw materials and reduce the cost of processing raw materials. A surface miner combine allow high selective mining of a deposit, which helps to reduce moisture content of cement raw materials and reduce energy costs in a cement plant. In open-cast mining of cement raw materials deposits with the use of the surface miner combines, the increase in economic efficiency of mining operations can be achieved by determining the rational values of ore losses and dilution. Aim. To determine rational level of cement raw material losses during field development by surface miners. Objects. Cement industry quarries excavated with of the surface miner combines. Methods. Technical and economic analysis of the cement plant Beočin (Serbia), summation and synthesis of materials, sources and data available in the public domain, as well as calculations to determine the amount of loss and dilution of mineral resources at ore–rock contact for mining conditions of the quarry for extracting cement raw materials. Results. The main problems that arise during mining quarries for extracting cement raw materials have been identified. It concerns the determination of the volume of losses and dilution of mineral resources at the ore–rock contact for mining conditions of the quarry for extraction of cement raw materials. The authors present and substantiate conclusions about further effective application of optimal mining technology, with the use of the surface miner combines, which allows reducing the cost of production of minerals and specific operating costs of transporting carbonate rocks compared to the traditional technology of mining works at 50–60%.

Effect of Power and Exposure Time on the Microwave-Assisted Roasting of Refractory Gold Ore

Reserves of high-grade gold ore worldwide are decreasing, and some industries have started processing refractory gold ore. Refractory gold ore contains sulfide minerals such as pyrite (FeS2), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), galena (PbS), and sphalerite (ZnS). Gold in refractory ores occurs as fine-size gold-bearing sulfide minerals. In this study, the microwave-assisted roasting method has been investigated as a pretreatment for a refractory gold ore. This method can provide rapid heating radiation, cause micro-cracks, and trigger the decomposition of sulfide minerals. The presence of additive helps in the oxidation of sulfide minerals. The microwave-assisted roasting was carried out using variations in microwave power and time. Microwave power between 300 - 600 watts significantly affected the increase in roasting temperature and weight loss of refractory gold ore. The highest temperature reached 567°C in roasting at 800 watts for 30 minutes. The optimum condition for microwave roasting was achieved at 400 watts of power with a roasting time of 30 minutes. Metals extraction of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Fe reached 97.2%, 82.7%, 16.1%, and 2.1% in water leaching.

Reduction of ore losses on the footwall by improving ore breaking

When mining steep deposits of Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin (Ukraine), a significant part of the reserves is lost in the “triangle” of the footwall. Complete extraction of reserves requires increased costs for mining ore. At present, there are options for mining reserves from the “triangle” of the footwall. However, all the proposed options lead to an increase in the cost of mining or increased ore losses and the reduced iron content in the mined ore mass. To reduce the cost of mining, an option is proposed with concentrated charges to break ore located between the footwall and the caved massif. In order to improve indicators of reserve extraction from the “triangle” of the footwall in the massif, it is advisable to place inclined concentrated charges at an angle of 58 – 78 degrees. To reduce broken ore dilution with waste rocks on the boundary, it is advisable to create an overcompacted layer of the broken ore mass by reducing the calculated value of the line of least resistance by a factor of 0.5 – 0.75. Application of this method of mining reserves from the block increases the content of iron in the mined ore mass by 1.2%, reduces discounted costs for driving workings and for drilling and blasting. Thus, due to application of the bulk level caving system with improved ore breaking by the use of concentrated charges located in the “triangle” of the footwall, the expected economic effect of mining of 718.2 kt makes 5.20 k USD.

Improvement of the stoping technology in mining magnetite quartzite by underground methods

The ore deposits in Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin are mined using bulk ore and overlying rocks caving systems. These mining systems have a significant drawback, namely a 2 – 5% reduction in the iron content of the mined ore mass when mining rich ores and up to 15% when mining poor ores. Current technological solutions enable improvement of ore extraction values while increasing economic costs by 15 – 20%. Therefore, the present article proposes a technological solution that will improve extraction values for poor ores. The study conducted results in determining the optimal distance between drawpoints of the receiving level and substantiates location of additional workings in the footwall, which reduces ore losses and increases ore mass extraction values. The proposed technological solution will reduce ore losses by 10 – 15% of the standard losses and increase ore extraction values by 5 – 15%, while reducing iron content by 5 – 7% of the initial one. Thus, the study conducted proves that the use of an additional level located 30 – 35 m above the main receiving level allows reduction of ore losses from 27.39% to 21.19%, and the iron content in the extracted ore mass – by only 3% instead of 12%.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ПРОИЗВОДИТЕЛЬНОСТИ КАРЬЕРОВ ЦЕМЕНТНОЙ ПРОМЫШЛЕННОСТИ, РАЗРАБАТЫВАЮЩИХ МИНЕРАЛЬНОЕ СЫРЬЕ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ КОМБАЙНОВ ПОСЛОЙНОГО ФРЕЗЕРОВАНИЯ SM

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the need to optimize technological processes in quarries for cement raw materials and increase the reliability and economic efficiency of deposit development. Surface Miner (SM) layer milling machines, allow carrying out thin-layer mining of deposits, to conduct rational use of subsoil, to increase industrial safety. During open-cast mining of cement raw materials deposits using layer milling machines (SM), the increase of economic efficiency of mining works may be achieved by determining rational values of parameters and indicators of the open cast mine. The main aim. To determinate the optimum productivity of cement industry quarries developed with layer milling machines (SM) ensuring increased reliability and economic efficiency of deposit development. Methodology. As the basic methods of research, we used monitoring of technological processes of the quarry, systematic analysis of the structure, characteristics, properties of technological complexes and links of quarries of cement plant Beocin (Serbia) developing complex structure carbonate deposits with the use of layer-milling machines. Dependence of duration of dump truck rides, number of rides per shift and number of dump trucks for 1 milling machine on the distance of rock mass transportation for mining-technical conditions of the quarries at the cement plant Beocin (Serbia) has been determined. Conclusions. Application of (SM) surface miners at cement industry open-pit mines ensures thin-layer mining of rock mass, reduction of ore losses and emissions of pollutants, rational use of subsoil, increase of industrial safety. Number of factors influences Surface Miner productivity: speed of the machine moving in the process of milling, width of the milling band, thickness of the mined layer, physical and mechanical characteristics of the mined rock and applied technological scheme. It is shown that the increase of Surface Miner productivity is achieved when the length of the front is increased, when the cyclic-continuous and continuous technology of deposit mining is used, and the auxiliary technological processes are minimized.

Моделирование выпуска апатит-нефелиновой руды при подэтажном обрушении

The process of modeling ore drawing was implemented in a discrete environment. Values have been determined for the lateral losses in the ridges between the drill haulage workings and the frontal losses in the ridges on the floor of the drill haulage workings, as well as in the mined-out space due to mixing with diluting rocks to substandard ore grades when ore is drawn from the blocks. The amount of additional recovery of losses was determined when drawing ore from the underlying and adjacent panels of the block. The resulting planograms of ore drawing from the panels and sections of the block were formed as part of the research, which reflect the weight of the drawn ore mass, its grade, and the weight of diluting rocks in the doses of drawing. All of this makes it possible to establish the ore loss and dilution rates for each mining unit of an underground mine, i.e. a panel, a section, a block or a level with due account of the main design parameters of the mining system, as well as the mining, geological, engineering and economic conditions of underground mining.

Spatial Entropy for Quantifying Ore Loss and Dilution in Open-Pit Mines

Spatial Entropy for Quantifying Ore Loss and Dilution in Open-Pit Mines

Effect of strain rate on specific fracture energy and micro-fracture surface properties of rock specimen under dynamic uniaxial compression

Effects of strain rate on specific fracture energy and micro-fracture surface properties of rock specimen were investigated at strain rates of ∼ 60–115.0 s-1. To achieve this, rock breakage was conducted under dynamic uniaxial compression using the split Hopkinson’s pressure bar. The fracture surface area of fine fragments (<8*10-3m) were measured using gas absorption method while the fracture surface area of large fragments (>8*10-3m) were measured using close-range photogrammetry. Results reveal that fracture surface area and specific fracture energy generally increase with strain rate during rock breakage under dynamic uniaxial compression. Similarly, the total fracture surface area of broken fragments also increased with dissipated energy. Results from scanning electron microscopy showed that fracture surface roughness and macro-crack abundance also increased with strain rate. Following energy requirement for rock breakage into size specifications for engineering applications, strain rate provides a reliable parameter for estimating specific fracture energy and fracture surface area at the forementioned strain rates. Accordingly, optimizing rock breakage processes using strain rate could reduce ore loss and energy wastage associated with production of unwanted fracture surfaces during rock breakage.

Enhancement of the technology of caved ore drawing from the ore deposit footwall “triangle”

In mining iron ore, over 60% of underground mines at Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin apply a system with the bulk caving of ore and overlying rocks. However, when the deposit dip is 45-60 degrees, application of this mining system leads to losses of about 30-40% of the footwall ore. Available methods of the loss reduction result in an increase in production costs or a decrease in the iron content in the mined ore mass. After analyzing the mechanism of forming the figure of drawing, it is proposed to change its parameters without significant costs due to the use of an inclined plane and an overcompacted ore layer. The presented study enables stating that with an increase in the inclined plane angle from 45 to 75 degrees the draw crater radius increases from 2 to 7.5 m, and a decrease in the factor of first loosening of ore leads to an increase in the radius of the crater to 10 m. Thus, for the first time it is proved that a decrease in the first loosening factor leads to the increased semi-minor axis of the ellipsoid of drawing and the width of the active drawing area, which will reduce losses of caved ore when drawing it from the stoping block in the footwall area. It is established that in order to minimize losses and dilution of ore when using level mining systems, the drawpoint should be located in the block sill at a distance ensuring formation of the 20 to 25 m high ellipsoid of drawing. In case of an overcompacted 22 m thick ore layer, it is possible to significantly reduce ore losses from 14 to 10% and ore dilution from 16 to 9%, thereby enhancing ore mass extraction indices without additional costs.

A Multi-Objective Approach for Optimizing the Layout of Additional Boreholes in Mineral Exploration

Accurate subsurface exploration requires an optimal network of boreholes. This paper proposes a multi-objective approach to optimize the layout of additional exploratory boreholes. In order to illustrate this approach, geochemical analyses of core samples at the eastern part of the Kahang copper deposit, Central Iran, were used. A measure of the grade uncertainty (kriging standard deviation) and a confidence measure on the ore/waste classification were first calculated by implementing ordinary and indicator kriging. An ore value function was then determined to measure the total value of each block by considering the grades of all the effective variables and their ore membership degree derived from a fuzzy treatment of the grades. Finally, a misclassification cost is defined for each block based on the expected economic effects of ore loss and waste dilution. As a result, an index for the selection of additional boreholes was introduced in order to maximize the kriging standard deviation, the ore misclassification cost, and the ore value and to minimize the confidence measure. Applied to the Kahang copper deposit, this index allowed the prioritization of areas for infill sampling, leading to the recommendation for eight vertical and two directional additional boreholes.

Prediction of Flyrocks, Airblasts and Ground Vibrations Using Neural Computing and Applications at ZCDC Mine

When an explosive detonates in a blasthole, approximately 20 to 30% of the energy is only utilized for fragmenting the rock mass whilst the bulk of the energy is lost in the form of ground vibrations, flyrocks and airblasts. Employees’ residences, mine offices, processing plants and engineering workshops built close to the mining area and are in danger of being damaged by blast induced hazards. In addition, due to flyrocks there was a high level of ore losses, ore dilution, equipment damages, mine roads and powerlines. To assess and reduce these negative impacts, monitoring of flyrocks, ground vibrations and airblast was carried out and generate a prediction model. A three-layer, feed-forward back-propagation of a 9-10-3 network architecture was trained, validated, and tested using the Bayesian regularization algorithm. A total of 100 monitored blast records obtained from the mine were used as input parameters for the ANN prediction model. Subsequently a Multivariate Regression analysis prediction model was run and used to compare with the results obtained from ANN model. Based on the study's findings, an ANN model proved to be the best for field predictions.To determine the relative impact of each input parameter on flyrocks, gound vibration, and Airblast, a sensitivity analysis was also carried out and lastly blast optimization which managed to reduce blast induced impacts by over 30%.

Uniform thickness in the process of ore-mixed characteristics of particles passing through experimental research

The nature of fine particulate matter is caused by the deterioration of the lean ore loss index and the important influence factors of a mine disaster accident. In this paper, fine moraine particles and coarse-grained ore from the Pulang Copper Mine are studied. The flow of fine particles in mixed particles under the condition of uniform ore drawing was studied by using the laboratory 3D physical model test method. This experiment explored the flow of hybrid particles in the system and characteristics of the particle size of fine particles passing through, and suggested a transit index to quantify the draining effect of fine particles. The experimental results show the following: ①Hybrid particles in the flow system of fine particulate matter under their own gravity use mixed ore particles flow in the process of formation of the pore to implement down through sports. ②The fine particles with the particle sizes of 2.5–1.25 mm, 1.25–0.63 mm, 0.63–0.315 mm, and 0.315–0.16 mm all have the flow-through characteristics, and the smaller the particle size, the more significant the flow-through degree. ③The cumulative ore drawing height of fine particles with different particle sizes increases, while the permeability index of the appropriate discharge decreases. ④The relative motion of coarse and fine particles is the internal control factor that leads to the flow of fine particles. The more significant the relative motion of coarse and finely mixed particles is, the more pores are randomly generated in the particle flow system and the larger the pores are, resulting in the more obvious fine particle flow effect. This study provides some theoretical reference value for revealing the flow-through characteristics of the fine particulate matter in the mixed particle flow system. At the same time, it has practical engineering significance for ore lean loss index control and mine disaster accident prevention and control in caving mining.

Lost-ore mining—A supplementary mining method to sublevel caving

Sublevel caving (SLC) is a mass mining method having high productivity and high safety. However, this method often causes a considerable amount of permanent ore loss. Interestingly, all lost ores are buried in the broken waste rocks that come mostly from the caved hanging wall and partly from the ore body in which ore and waste rock are originally situated together. To mine out such lost ores from the broken waste rocks and increase ore recovery in SLC mines, a new mining method called lost-ore mining is introduced as a supplementary method to SLC, and a simple mechanics analysis is used to explain why the lost-ore could be mined out. Using this lost ore mining method, the Malmberget mine had recovered 7.5 million tons of lost iron ores from many old production drifts, as reported in the year 2016. Similarly, the Kiruna mine had mined out 2.6 million tons of iron ores from the old production drifts, according to a report in 2012. At last, some suggestions on how to use this new method are proposed.

The technology of forming a backfill mass with the specified geotechnical characteristics

Introduction. To reduce ore loss and impoverishment, high-value non-ferrous metal reserves are commonly developed by the mining methods with worked-out area backfilling. Regardless of the type and methods of backfill mass formation, worked-out area backfilling, being a way to control the rock state, is highly labor intensive and incurs additional costs, therefore increasing the cost of stoping. During field exploitation, mining and geological conditions tend to constantly deteriorate, and complex mining conditions form, which is accompanied by decreased content of the commercial component. The more complex the mining conditions are, the higher goaf maintenance costs is and the lower the mining intensity is. So, as mining develops, production cost constantly grows while the commercial component content decreases, which negatively affects total production performance indicators. Therefore, searching for ways to solve the problem of backfill cost reduction remains an urgent practical task of mining. It is possible to optimize backfill costs under changing and constantly deteriorating mining and geological conditions without reducing mining productivity by means of the underground geotechnology with artificial industrially-modified mass formation with the required geotechnical characteristics. The technology is presented in this work and is aimed at the effective development of the field reserves. Research objective is to develop and substantiate the parameters of underground geotechnology with worked-out area backfilling, which controls geotechnical characteristics of an artificial industrially-modified mass during the stoping. Methods of research. A room-and-pillar mining method was designed and its parameters were substantiated, taking into account natural mining and geological conditions and mining technical conditions formed in the course of stoping. The research was based on theoretical calculations and geomechanical modeling. Results. A variant of a room-and-pillar mining method has been developed with worked-out area backfilling with dry rock and further consolidation with a hardening mixture and compaction by breaking reserves in a compressive medium. The results obtained showed the mining method’s effectiveness. The study substantiates the rational values of the mining method structural element parameters. In particular, the size of the chamber wall is determined, located at an angle of 80°, with the reinforced layer up to 5 m thick and 1.5 MPa strong. Conclusions. A variant of the mining method can be used when mining inclined and steeply pitching ore bodies in difficult mining and geological conditions.

Enhancement of the rock mass quality in underground iron ore mining through application of resource-saving technologies

AnnotationIn terms of mining and geological structure, ore deposits are complex-structured and composed of single, parallel-contiguous ore bodies. The reserves of barren or ore inclusions with the useful component content less than the cut-off grade of the deposit on the whole make 5-12% for natural-rich ores, and 10-15% for natural-lean ores. Application of conventional systems to mining complex-structured ore deposit areas underground reduces the iron content in the mined ore mass by 3-6% in relation to the main content of the useful component in the ore deposit or increases ore losses 1.5-2.0 times of the standard ones. This leads to a decrease in efficiency of mining the reserves, and as a result, a loss of the world sales market. Application of the resource-saving technologies reduces ore losses and dilution in underground mining, thereby reducing the cost of ore mass processing. As compared with conventional systems, the proposed options of mining systems with ore caving enable increasing the average iron content in the mined ore mass by 2.37-7.03% without increased ore production costs. These indicators are confirmed by laboratory tests on models with natural materials, considering the scale of modeling.