Purpose. Research and development of an economic and legal concept for the use of AI-technologies in mineral mining based on an experience analysis of their application in global mining practice, including assessment of legal and technological support. Methods. The research was conducted using a review-based economic and legal approach, consisting of assessing and analysing the symbiosis of positive and negative aspects of AI-technology implementation in mining enterprises. This paper reviews legislation using legal analysis processes, including comparative, systematic, and formal-legal methods, which ensure the regulation of AI-relations. To study the key aspects accompanying the processes of using AI-technology in mining enterprises, European, Ukrainian and Kazakh regulations were systematized, and econometric modelling of the effectiveness of using AI-technologies was performed to assess operating costs. Findings. The subject structure and principles of AI-relations, as well as the scope of application of AI-technologies in mining enterprises, which should be taken into account when implementing them in the mining industry, have been identified. Requirements have been formulated for AI-systems that are used and/or may be used in the mining industry. A group of barriers accompanying the use of AI-technologies in mining enterprises has been systematized and analyzed. The author's AI-Concept framework for the mining industry has been developed. A set of preparatory measures for the implementation of AI-technologies is proposed, and the directions and factors accompanying their use in mining enterprises are examined. Originality. A model of the AI-Concept for the mining industry has been developed, as well as conceptual recommendations for the creation of AI-enterprises, which, in the presented, integrated form, have not been developed in the legislation and scientific literature of the world's leading mining countries. Practical implications. The research results can be used in the process of developing economic and legal relations in the mining industry. Conceptual recommendations will be useful in the phased creation of mining AI-enterprises. Their implementation will enable the resolution of pressing social-economic, investment, and environmental issues in the context of a fair transformation of mining regions.
Purpose. To investigate the mineralogical, geochemical, and technological characteristics of the K & ouml;pr & uuml;alan (Ayd & imath;n, SW Turkey) feldspar deposit. The study aims to determine its suitability for industrial ceramic applications and to evaluate how quality-based resource management influences both the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the mining operation. Methods. Geochemical analysis of 222 samples was conducted together with X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine mineral assemblages. Technological tests, including water absorption and shrinkage measurements, were performed to assess industrial performance. The obtained data were integrated into 3D geological models and geostatistical simulations to evaluate various mine design scenarios, with a focus on optimizing stripping ratios and reducing material handling. Findings. Results indicate that the deposit consists predominantly of felsic metamorphic rocks with high SiO2 (64.76-74.87%), elevated alkali oxides (Na2O + K2O), and low Fe2O3 (<= 1.72%). XRD analysis confirmed a feldspar-rich composition with an average content of 62%. Integration of a multi-tier quality classification into the production sequence significantly increases the project's economic value. Optimized extraction sequences also reduce the stripping ratio, thereby lowering the operational carbon footprint by minimizing waste haulage and energy consumption. Originality. A novel framework is proposed that transforms static mineralogical classification into a dynamic decision-support system. The approach integrates 3D geological modelling with geostatistical simulations to quantify trade-offs between quality-driven extraction, economic performance, and environmental sustainability in industrial mineral deposits. Practical implications. Implementation of the proposed quality-tier system enables operators to optimize production planning, reduce waste management costs, and improve the environmental sustainability of industrial mineral extraction through lower green-house gas emissions.
Purpose. This study integrates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Magnetic and 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2D ERT) surveys to delineate subsurface laterite ore mineralization zones while reducing exploration costs. UAV imagery enabled the reconstruction of high-resolution digital elevation models and orthomosaics, providing detailed topographic information for survey planning. Methods. Magnetic survey integrated with 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles were applied to characterize subsurface lithology and identify layers such as topsoil, shale, and laterite. Findings. The ERT survey reveals that the topsoil is 3 meters thick and has a resistivity range of 10-50 Omega.m. The resistivity of shale varied between 50 and 150 Omega.m, with a thickness of two meters. The laterite ore was identified with resistivity values between 150 and 1200 Omega & centerdot;m and a thickness of 5 m. Magnetic surveys identified magnetic anomalies of 200-600 nT, estimated at a depth of 3-5 m using forward modeling. Regional-scale interpretations from total magnetic intensity (TMI), reduced-topole (RTP), and continuation maps highlighted the detailed distribution of the magnetic anomalies throughout the study area, lithological variations, fault systems, and deep-seated magnetized bodies. Originality. This study demonstrates an integrated, low-cost workflow for lateritic mineralization that uses detailed geophysical data, including magnetic methods, 2D ERT, and UAV photogrammetry. Conventional techniques are quite expensive relative to the value of the ore. Practical implications. The results demonstrate that the integration of aerial photogrammetry, magnetic surveys, and 2D electrical resistivity tomography provides an efficient and cost-effective approach for delineating laterite ore mineralization zones and can serve as a viable alternative to conventional exploration methods.
Purpose. The research aims to assess the impact of geological disturbances located in the bottom part of the super-deep Kacharsky Ore Quarry on the stress-strain state (SSS) of its walls and to determine the safety factor of the walls, taking into account the complex geological situation. Methods. Fault plane modelling methodology is based on 3D finite-element analysis using the RS3 Rocscience software. Fault zone is represented by a medium with a system of fractures. Fracture characteristics, such as openness, contact filler type, and surface quality are achieved by selecting the normal and shear stiffness of the contact. The strength and deformation properties of rock inside the fault zone are defined by low geological index values (GSI = 20), corresponding to the "poor" quality mass according to the Hoek-Brown classification. The main mass outside the fault zone is represented by elastic-plastic medium, where the transition to inelastic deformation stage is determined by the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. Findings. FEM-analysis of the stress-strain state of the Kacharsky quarry walls at various stages of mining, taking into account faults in its bottom part, provides a safety factor (FoS) that is 28-30% lower than that obtained without considering the faults. Parametric analysis shows that for normal stiffness values of the fracture-filling material up to 2.5 GPa/m, the difference in the realized shear strains is most significant. When the Er index, which characterizes the ratio of material stiffness inside and outside the fault zone, decreases from Er = 0.2 to Er = 0.05, the maximum shear strains in the bottom part of the quarry increase from 0.05 to 0.075, that is, by 50%. Thus, a weaker and more disintegrated medium in the fault zone provokes the development of shear strains and causes a decrease in the stability of the walls. Originality. For the first time, under real mining-geological conditions of deep ore quarry, a pattern of change in safety factor of steeply sloping walls has been identified, taking into account geological faults in the bottom part of the quarry. A dependence of shear strains on the normal stiffness index of fractures and the ratio of stress-strain modules of the rock medium inside and outside the fault zone has been found. Practical implications. The wall safety factor (FoS) value at each stage of mining is a key parameter for adoption of technological decisions and regulations. The established fact that the stability of the walls has decreased to a critical level (FoS = 1.1) at the final stage of mining due to the presence of faults may serve as a basis for revising the technological scheme of ore mining at the final stage, in particular, to reduce the slope angle of the benches.
Purpose. To investigate the regularities of reactive species formation during the plasma treatment of multicomponent wastewater from the mining and petroleum industries, as well as to assess their role in contaminant transformation and removal efficiency. Methods. Laboratory experiments were carried out using a specially designed plasma-liquid reactor operating under high-frequency electrical discharge conditions (10-25 kV, 10-30 kHz, interelectrode gap 3-7 mm). The study included determination of the initial physicochemical characteristics of wastewater, including pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd). During plasma treatment, the formation of reactive species (center dot OH, O3, H2O2) was analyzed, and a kinetic model was applied to describe contaminant removal dynamics and treatment efficiency. Findings. It was established that plasma treatment leads to the formation of hydroxyl radicals at a rate of (1-5)& centerdot;10-6 mol & centerdot;L-1 & centerdot;s-1, ozone in the concentration range of 10-6-10-4 mol & centerdot;L-1, and hydrogen peroxide accumulation within 10-80 mg/L, thereby creating a pronounced oxidative environment. Copper concentration decreased from 20 to 0.5 mg/L (97.5%), zinc from 15 to 0.4 mg/L (97.3%), and cadmium from 0.5 to 0.02 mg/L (96.0%). The degree of organic contaminant degradation reached 70-90%. It was shown that the intensity of reactive species formation strongly depends on discharge parameters, while the proposed kinetic model adequately describes the experimentally observed treatment dynamics. Originality. The study provides a comprehensive experimental and model-based analysis of reactive species formation during the plasma treatment of highly mineralized multicomponent wastewater from the mining and petroleum industries. Quantitative relationships were established among discharge parameters, reactive species generation, and contaminant removal efficiency. Practical implications. The obtained results confirm the potential of plasma technologies for the advanced treatment of industrial wastewater with complex composition and high salinity. Practical implementation of the proposed approach may contribute to improved environmental safety, reduced reagent consumption, lower sludge generation, and expanded opportunities for water reuse in mining and petroleum production processes.
