Saint-Petersburg Mining University Research Articles

Potential of socio-humanitarian disciplines in training future engineers: students’ opinions analyzed

Introduction. Higher education is a key factor for societal development; new challenges associated with ultra-fast socio-technological transformations create new demands for professionals, especially in engineering. In addition to knowledge of natural and technical sciences, a modern engineer is to possess a wide range of so-called flexible competencies. In this regard, the issue of how these skills can be developed becomes particularly relevant. In particular, experts in higher education development believe that sociohumanitarian disciplines are indispensable for solving this issue. The study aims to assess the potential of socio-humanitarian disciplines in training future engineers and to outline proposals for optimizing their role in education. Research methods. The study had two stages: a comparative analysis of Russian and foreign research and expert assessments regarding challenges to modern engineering education, and an assessment of the influence that specific disciplines of engineering education have on its quality; a survey-research of 548 students of Saint Petersburg Mining University (Russian Federation). Research methods: survey, comparative analysis, pedagogical consultation. Research results. More than 60% of students positively assess the potential of socio-humanitarian disciplines, considering them essential for the development of a wide range of communication and cognitive skills. At the same time, 60% of students noted that the teaching methods used and the content of work programs do not always meet their expectations. Conclusion. The survey results confirm the opinion of experts that modern technical education is to be more practice-oriented and address current problems of modern society in order to be competitive. Based on the results of the study, proposals were formulated for solving the identified problems in engineering education.

“The Arctic constant” in the linguistic consciousness of modern student youth

Introduction. Currently, there is an unprecedented increase in interest in the Arctic issues in various fields. The analysis of scientific literature testifies to the actualization of the study the phenomenon of a region taken as a fragment of the semiosphere and the formation of Arctic regionology. The research is devoted to representing the integral image of the Arctic from the interdisciplinary perspective, as well as in the context of value-semantic narratives in science and education. The purposes of this study are to present the key features of semiotics of the circumpolar region, and to reveal its cultural-symbolic codes anchored in the linguistic consciousness of student youth in contemporary Russia. Materials and methods. The main research method used was the free associative experiment involving students of Saint Petersburg Mining University. The study took place in several stages, starting in 2021. It was attended by 400 students of different faculties, mainly aged 18 to 20 years old. The following methods were also used: enquiry-conversation, systematic pedagogical observations, theoretical analysis of scientific literature. Results. The respondents gave 2875 responses to the stimulus “the Arctic” in the course of the associative experiment. The obtained associates were distributed into 5 thematic groups, which formed the “Arctic” conceptual field. The analysis of its the core zone, the near core zone and the periphery obtained shows prevalence of emotional-sensual reactions and estimations of the severe Arctic space, which is also perceived as a place richest in natural resources, with unique conditions for all kinds of research activity. Of all the components in the framework of the “Arctic” conceptual field, the ethno-cultural and geopolitical ones, together with any spiritual-ideological connotations related, are underrepresented. The research was also verified by the free interview of students in the form of a conversation. Conclusions. The data obtained confirmed the hypothesis that the heroic narrative formed in the Soviet era is no longer the dominant category in interpreting the conceptosphere of the Arctic and the North. However, the symbolic value of the Arctic and the polar feat may become one of priority national ideas in modern Russia. The analysis of the ideological orientations of students regarding the “Arctic” conceptual field is the most important pedagogical and educational problem. It is necessary to revive educational traditions on the formation of “the Arctic consciousness” among the younger generation and develop a unified socio-humanitarian paradigm of knowledge about this unique region of the Earth.

On the 250th Anniversary of the Oldest Mining and Geological School of Russia

The article is devoted to the 250th anniversary of the first higher technical educational institution in Russia – Saint Petersburg Mining University (Mining Institute), whose students and scientific schools made a great contribution to the development of mining and geological sciences and ensured the formation of the mineral resource base of Russia. The main stages of the glorious history of the Mining Institute from its foundation in 1773 to the present day are described. The constant close relationship with the Mining Institute of the Russian Mineralogical Society was emphasized. The Presidium and library of RMS has been located within the walls of the Institute for 154 years and where meetings and congresses of the Society are invariably held.

Minerals Named after Alumni and Staff Members of Saint Petersburg Mining University (to the 250th Anniversary of St. Petersburg Mining University)

Minerals Named after Alumni and Staff Members of Saint Petersburg Mining University (to the 250th Anniversary of St. Petersburg Mining University)

The Arctic and the North: The Problem of Conceptualization

The article is dеvoted to the problem of conceptualizing a holistic image of the Arctic and the North from a transdisciplinary perspective, as well as in the context of the spiritual and civilizational identity of Russia, the search for the national idea. The objectives of the study are to draw attention to the need to develop an integrative paradigm of Arctic socio-humanitarian knowledge, to identify cultural and symbolic codes in the mass consciousness that characterize the conceptual field “Arctic and North”. The notions of the Arctic and the North are considered as universal concepts of world culture, a deep understanding of which is possible only by interconnection of humanitarian component with natural science aspects of cognition. For full-fledged interpretation of the mental image of a place, “the spirit of a place”, not only specific spatial coordinates, event line and personalities are extremely important, but also artistic symbolism (literature, painting, cinema, etc.), as well as linguistic-communicative component (symbolic words, verbal associations, stable expressions). The article characterizes the phenomenon of northern literature based on the perception of the Russian North and the Arctic as a special mythopoetic space, the semantic cores of which are both concrete historical and sacred-mythological semantic components. The article briefly presents the results of associative experiment conducted with the students of Saint Petersburg Mining University in order to identify stereotypical ideas about the circumpolar region in the linguistic consciousness of young people. The representation of Arctic megatrends in the Russian and global media communication space is noted as a promising research direction, especially in connection with the intensification of geopolitical disagreements. The article makes a conclusion about the actualizing of the symbolic and ideological value of the Arctic and the North for modern Russia, which is especially important in the aspect of value-semantic interaction of generations.

Instructional Design of an Integrative Online Business English Course for Master’s Students of a Technical University

The article deals with the instructional design of an integrative Business English course for master’s students of a technical university (a case study of the Saint Petersburg Mining University) for blended and/or flexible learning. The main goal is to design a course that can be used as a full-fledged online course in asynchronous learning and is at the same time adjustable to the existing offline Business English course. The research uses methods such as observation, focus groups, surveying, empirical research and analytical and descriptive methods. The authors see a solution in a special instructional design based on the integration of traditional teaching approaches in offline learning, information technology and elements of infotainment and edutainment. The article presents the results of the target audience analysis and the needs analysis, outlines the structure of the course, specifies approaches to enhance motivation in master’s students and presents an integrative system of assessment and evaluation of the learners’ knowledge and skills. The key features of the instructional design of the Business English course suggested include exposure to professional scenarios, learners’ reflection, multiple instruments encouraging learners’ cognitive activity and performance and an opportunity to apply their knowledge to actual performance rather than summative assessment.

Hardening soil model in prediction of plastic deformation zone in soft rock mass of Yakovlevo iron ore deposit

The authors propose a sizing procedure for the zone of plastic deformation (possible failure) in rock mass in the vicinity of stoping using the method of numerical modeling and the Hardening Soil Model (HSM). The relevance of HSM application in the conditions of Yakovlevo deposit is confirmed, among other things, by the dependence of the deformation modulus of rocks in the volumetric stress state on the effective stresses. The subject of research is the Yakovlevo deposit of high-grade iron ore, which holds the largest reserves in the Belgorod Region of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. Stoping and mine support operations induce continuous rock falls and caving because of the unreliable prediction of rock mass stability in the vicinity of stoping and due to the low strength of enclosing rock mass. Selection and validation of HSM parameters for iron–mica–martite ore of Yakovlevo deposit included processing of laboratory testing results obtained using equipment of the Saint-Petersburg Mining University. The triaxial tests of ore samples at different values of lateral pressure were computationally reduced to a reference abutment pressure value pref set by the software designer. The numerical experiments and virtual testing of the material behavior model, as well as the justification of the possible failure zone size were implemented in the certified software environment Bentley Systems PLAXIS-3D. Finally, on the basis of the integrated research of different-density ore samples, including laboratory tests and numerical experiments, the rock mass behavior models are constructed and the parameters of plastic deformation zones (possible failure) in the vicinity of a single stone are predicted.The study was supported under the state contract for scientific work in 2021, Grant No. FSRW-2020-0014.

Fostering Engineering Students’ Competences Development Through Lexical Aspect Acquisition Model

This study aims to investigate the effect of enhanced lexical aspect acquisition model on engineering students’ competences development, namely such 21st century skills as communication (written or oral), self-organization, systematic and critical thinking, project development and implementation, team work, application of fundamental knowledge, work with information. The researchers have developed a novel approach to fostering lexical aspect acquisition through multistage model. The participants of the research were first-year engineering students of the mineral specializations in Saint-Petersburg Mining University. Suggested model-based learning process and conventional-based teaching were used in experimental and control groups accordingly during the spring term 2022. The SPSS software was used to interpret the obtained data. The statistical analysis was carried out with the output of Cronbach’s Alpha reliability test and Pearson correlation test with identification of p-value. The findings showed a significant difference between the level of lexical acquisition in the control and experimental groups proving reliability and validity of the current research.

The Interdisciplinary Approach to the Conceptualization of the Image of the Arctic and the North in the Mass Consciousness: An Example of Russian Students

The article is devoted to the integrated interdisciplinary study of multiple aspects of the conceptosphere of the Arctic and the North and its representation in the collective consciousness of Russian students. The purposes of this paper are to examine the current status of the creation of an integrated paradigm of knowledge about the Arctic in humanities and the social sciences, and to draw conclusions about the emerging trends of understanding of the cultural and symbolic constants of the Arctic area. The respondents (students of Saint Petersburg Mining University) gave 2357 responses to the stimulus “the Arctic” in the course of the free associative experiment. The obtained associates were distributed into culturally significant thematic groups. The main thesis of this study is that the meaningfulness of the image of the Arctic and the North is in many respects determined by key ideas present in the collective consciousness, and by the life priorities and orientations of today’s young people. The idea of the extreme, severe conditions, and the danger of this region of the Earth dominates in minds of Russian students. Nevertheless, this land is rich in natural resources and is a unique platform for a wide range of research. A further tendency is identified in the formation of the image of the Arctic and the North in the mass media: new trends are affected by geopolitical factors, focusing on the pivotal role of the Arctic area as a territory of national interests. The creation of a “conflict image” of the Arctic region is counterproductive. In this regard, it is necessary to put into practice the concept of Arctic solidarity, in order to promote integration processes in the exploration of the circumpolar region.

Experimental research on the thermal method of drilling by melting the well in ice mass with simultaneous controlled expansion of its diameter

During the seasonal work of the 64th Russian Antarctic Expedition in 2018-2019 at the “Vostok” drilling facility named after B.B.Kudryashov (“Vostok” station, Antarctic) specialists of Saint Petersburg Mining University conducted experimental investigations on the process of drilling by melting with simultaneous expansion of wells in the ice mass. A test bench and a full-scale model of a thermohydraulic reamer-drilling tool were developed, manufactured and tested for the research. The first bench tests of the full-scale model proved its efficiency and suitability for experimental drilling with simultaneous expansion of wells in ice mass; its operational capabilities were determined and the drawbacks that will be taken into account in future were found out. The article substantiates the choice of constructive elements for thermohydraulic reamer-drilling tool. It is determined that the technology of full diameter drilling with simultaneous expansion of the well in ice mass can be implemented by combining contact drilling by melting and convective expansion with creation of forced near-bottomhole annular circulation of the heated heat carrier. Dependencies of expansion rate on main technological parameters were determined: active heat power of heating elements in penetrator and circulation system, mechanical drilling rate, pump flow rate. According to the results of investigations, the experimental model of thermohydraulic reamer-drilling tool will be designed and manufactured for testing in conditions of well 5G.

The defense of the dissertation for obtaining the scientific degree of candidate of economics by Chu Thi Que [Saint Petersburg Mining University] with the theme “Formation and Assessment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Coal Industry Development Scenarios”

The defense of the theses on specialty 08.00.05 Economy and management of national economy (economy, organization and management of enterprises, branches, complexes industry) was held on 21.09.2022 at the Dissertation Council session GU 212.224.05 based on Saint Petersburg Mining University.

Rare minerals of noble metals in the collection of the Mining Museum: new data

Modern analytical methods (optical and electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis) were used to study the unique samples of sulfide ores from the Norilsk ore field from the Mining Museum collections of Saint Petersburg Mining University. Samples containing rare minerals of silver and platinum-group metals (sobolevskite, urvantsevite, sperrylite, argentopentlandite, froodite, kotulskite, and others) were studied. The chemical composition, grain sizes, aggregates, and mineral associations of more than ten noble metal minerals have been refined. The efficiency of combining various methods of electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis for studying samples of this type is shown. The results of the work made it possible to obtain high-quality images of rare minerals, to detail information on museum objects, and to compile their scientific description. The conducted research showed the relevance of studying museum objects from known deposits of complex genesis and mineral composition in order to find and describe the samples with rare minerals.

Применение цифровых геомеханических двойников для прогнозирования и оценки рисков потери запасов в проектах разработки рудных месторождений

Challenges in mining of ore deposits associated with great depths and increasing mining, geological and engineering risks make the design decisions significantly more complicated and reduce the efficiency of mining operations. The article provides a brief description of the research methods employed by specialists from the Polygore Company and Saint Petersburg Mining University. Results are presented of studying the tectonically stressed state and the geodynamically hazardous zones, or risk zones, in the mining of ore deposits. The stress-and-strain state of the natural stress field was determined using the PRESS 3D URAL dedicated software. Studies to ensure geodynamic safety were carried out based on a 3D geodynamic model and using three types of models, i.e. the block (geological and structural), geodynamic and mining-geodynamic model of the deposit (mine field or its segment). The results obtained allow making a conclusion about viability of applying analytical methods to calculate the stressed state of blocky rock mass and, in particular, application of the PRESS 3D URAL dedicated software as a digital geomechanical twin, as well as the need to continue and expand research activities in this direction to enhance safety of mining operations.

RETRACTION NOTE TO "DEVELOPMENT OF METHOD TO ASSESS SEPARATION PROCESS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERAL SLURRY"

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, in line with journal Publication Ethics based on guidelines and standards developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). This article has been retracted at the request of the authors, because they determined mistakes in conducted research which demand additional check and clarification. Therefore, the results and conclusions could be incorrect. Both autors, Vadim Potemkin and Tatiana Aleksandrova, agree to this retraction.The Authors and Editors would like to apologize to readers for not uncovering these issues duringthe editorial process.Retracted paper detailsAuthors: Vadim Potemkin*, Tatiana Aleksandrova (*corresponding author)Affiliation: Saint Petersburg Mining University, Mineral Processing Department, Saint Petersburg, Russian FederationDOI: 10.5937/jaes0-31764JAES Paper identification: 19(2021)4, 894, 1120-1125

On the possibility of reducing man-made burden on benthic biotic communities when mining solid minerals using technical means of various designs

The paper analyses features of the species composition and diversity of biotic communities living within the ferromanganese nodule fields (the Clarion-Clipperton field), cobalt-manganese crusts (the Magellan Seamounts) and deep-sea polymetallic sulphides (the Ashadze-1, Ashadze-2, Logatchev and Krasnov fields) in the Russian exploration areas of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Prospects of mining solid minerals of the world’s oceans with the least possible damage to the marine ecosystems are considered that cover formation of the sediment plumes and roiling of significant volumes of water as a result of collecting the minerals as well as conservation of the hydrothermal fauna and microbiota, including in the impact zone of high temperature hydrothermal vents. Different concepts and layout options for deep-water mining complexes (the Indian and Japanese concepts as well as those of the Nautilus Minerals and Saint Petersburg Mining University) are examined with respect to their operational efficiency. The main types of mechanisms that are part of the complexes are identified and assessed based on the defined priorities that include the ecological aspect, i.e. the impact on the seabed environment; manufacturing and operating costs; and specific energy consumption, i.e. the technical and economic indicators. The presented morphological analysis gave grounds to justify the layout of a deep-sea minerals collecting unit, i.e. a device with suction chambers and a grip arm walking gear, selected based on the environmental key priority. Pilot experimental studies of physical and mechanical properties of cobalt-manganese crust samples were performed through application of bilateral axial force using spherical balls (indenters) and producing a rock strength passport to assess further results of the experimental studies. Experimental destructive tests of the cobalt-manganese crust by impact and cutting were carried out to determine the impact load and axial cutting force required for implementation of the collecting system that uses a clamshell-type effector with a built-in impactor.

Taking into account convective heat and mass exchange in autoclave reactors when scaling hydrothermal and hydrometallurgical processes

The article presents the procedure of scaling the processes of hydrothermal synthesis for various dispersed inorganic materials and selection of an optimal technological mode for a given autoclave reactor on the base of a reaction kinetics experimental study with applying in situ heat flux calorimetry and developing the reaction mathematical model to simulate temperature and conversion fields inside a chosen apparatus for the selected mode. Natural convection is shown to be the main driving force for heat exchange and mass exchange in autoclave reactors without mechanical mixing and heating with a jacket. This may lead to a considerable non-homogeneity of temperature and concentration fields inside the reactor and be the reason of phase composition and particle size variations as well as real crystal structure of reaction products non-reproducibility. Applying an optimal heating mode with temperature linear programming on the wall results in forming stationary fields of temperature and concentrations inside the reactor and makes it possible to monitor the current conversion along the apparatus cross-section and minimize corresponding gradients in the final point. It is also possible to evaluate overheating of the reaction mixture for a hydrometallurgical process in the batch stirred reactor or continuous flow reactor. The proposed procedure makes it possible to select an optimal technological mode for producing a definite product in a definite apparatus on the base of a hydrothermal or hydrometallurgical reaction kinetic model with heat generation or heat absorbtion. The author would like to thank the leadership of the Saint Petersburg Mining University for their extensive support of the basic studies into hydrothermal synthesis of dispersed inorganic materials and that of mathematical modelling work.

Dmitry A. Kazakovsky and development of mine surveying in the USSR

The main stages of the life and work of a prominent Soviet scientist, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Professor Dmitry A. Kazakovsky, whose name will forever remain in the history of Russian mine surveying, are considered. The formation of D. A. Kazakovsky as a prominent specialist in the field of mine surveying was due to a combination of several important factors. Firstly, there were objective needs of the industrial development of the USSR, in connection with which the problem of training qualified mine surveyors was actualized. Secondly, the formation of D. A. Kazakovsky was influenced by the high professionalism of the scientific environment that had formed within the walls of the Leningrad Mining Institute (now the Saint Petersburg Mining University). Finally, thirdly, to achieve significant heights in the science of D. A. Kazakovsky was largely helped by his personal qualities – energy, efficiency, responsibility for the assigned task, ability to work in a team. During his studies at the Leningrad Mining Institute, D. A. Kazakovsky chose the specialty of a mine surveyor. It was a new and very promising specialty in the field of mining for that time. Already in his student years, he showed excellent knowledge in this area. D. A. Kazakovsky made a significant personal contribution to the study of the problems of displacement of the surface and the rock mass above the minedout space, to the development of guidelines for the protection of structures from the harmful effects of mining at coal deposits, as well as to the development of electro-acoustic methods for surveying mine workings. At his suggestion, a special laboratory of electroacoustic methods of surveying mining workings was created at the Leningrad Mining Institute. Thanks to the fruitful administrative and scientific-pedagogical activity of D. A. Kazakovsky, in the national economic life of the USSR, the sonar method, which has not lost its significance even today, found ever wider application, and electroacoustic devices necessary for surveying work were actively introduced. Scientific discoveries and technical developments made by D. A. Kazakovsky became the basis for the further development of surveying in our country.

Василий Михайлович Севергин как переводчик Плиния Старшего: к истории рецепции античного наследия в контексте русского естествознания XVIII века

The article is devoted to the study of the reception of the ancient heritage in European culture and its importance for the development of Russian natural science in XVIII century. For this purpose the author turns to the well-known Russian scientist and teacher Vasily Mikhajlovich Severgin (1765-1826), who was the author of the first Russian translation in Russian of the encyclopedic "Natural History" (Naturalis Historia) by Roman scientist Pliny the Elder (24-79 A.D.), many years was teaching at the Mining college (modern Saint-Petersburg Mining University, which celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2023) and is the most important Russian scientist in the field of natural history. It is on the study of the importance of Pliny the Elder and the history of his interpretation and translation for the development of European and especially Russian science in the 18th century that the main attention of the author of the article is directed. The article also covers the peculiarities of science and educational institutions in Russia and Europe in the 18th century; the biography of Severgin; the specifics of ancient Greek and ancient Roman science; the concept of "natural history" and the importance of encyclopedia as a scientific genre for the culture and science of the Enlightenment.

Technology for Improving the Efficiency of Fractured Reservoir Development Using Gel-Forming Compositions

Increasing the field development efficiency of fractured reservoirs is a contemporary issue. This paper presents fundamental and exploratory research results in this field using modern high-tech experimental equipment from the “Arctic” Scientific Centre at the Saint Petersburg Mining University. Oil reserves in fractured reservoirs are enormous; however, they are classified as hard-to-recover. The before-mentioned reservoirs require a specific approach when selecting technologies to improve the efficiency of their development. In this paper, as a solution to the problem under discussion, we propose the use of a physicochemical method of developing fractured reservoirs based on the injection of a water shut-off agent to exclude highly permeable water-conducting fractures from the drainage process. This technology makes it possible to effectively include and develop previously undrained reservoir areas by directly controlling their filtration properties with the use of new highly efficient and ecologically safe chemical reagents and process fluids.

Управление конгрессно-выставочной деятельностью в вузе

Congress and exhibition activities are an effective means of promoting scientific and innovative development in institutions of higher education. The present research objective was to identify the main problems of managing congress and exhibition activities at universities. The paper focuses on various problems relevant for technical universities of Saint-Petersburg. It describes the experience of Peter the Great Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg Mining University, and the National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics, and Optics. The author compiled a list of recommendations and principles of management to be used by technical universities when organizing congresses and exhibitions. The proposed model covers different approaches to congress activities, forms of scientific activity, management structure of international services, and regulatory documents. Universities have neither regulatory framework nor separate service responsible for this type of activity. Students, employees, and most academics lack necessary skills in foreign languages and cross-cultural communication. Moreover, they do not get motivational and stimulating support, hence the lack of initiative. Students and academics receive little information about scientific events. Most employees simply do not know how to organize congresses and conferences. This network of problems needs a comprehensive approach.