The analysis of rock flow patterns under the cross-effect of contiguous faces uses the 3D discrete element method to reproduce ore drawing processes in underground mining at the Khibiny apatite–nepheline deposit. The study of ore drawing modes revealed the mechanisms of loss formation, as well as the rational designs of structural components of a mining systems and ore draw planograms. The numerical modeling results were verified during in-situ experimental blasting and sublevel stoping in different geological and geotechnical conditions in mines of the Kola Division of APATIT. A conception of sublevel stoping modeling is developed, and the guidelines are proposed for rating ore losses and dilution in underground apatite–nepheline ore mining.

Рассмотрена актуальная проблема цифровой трансформации горного производства по импортозамещению и созданию безбарьерной технологии работы с цифровыми данными и моделями объектов горной технологии для решения комплекса геологических, маркшейдерских и технологических задач. Важным элементом создания безбарьерной технологии является формирование единого виртуального цифрового пространства, решающего проблему конвертирования данных, возникающую при одновременном использовании в цифровой технологии программных продуктов, построенных на разных объектных моделях. Реализовать такую технологию можно путем формирования цифровой платформы, содержащей базовый функционал для работы с моделями объектов в виртуальном пространстве и API-функции для интеграции создаваемых инструментов в это цифровое виртуальное пространство. В наибольшей степени требованиям цифровой платформы удовлетворяют программные продукты класса горно-геологических информационных систем, в цифровом пространстве которых создаются 3D-модели и решаются базовые горно-геологические задачи. Сформулированы основные требования к функциональности данной цифровой платформы и описано текущее состояние работ по ее организации на базе горно-геологической информационной системы (ГГИС) MINEFRAME, которые осуществляются силами Горного института КНЦ РАН и ООО “Лаборатория МАЙНФРЭЙМ”. The authors address a relevant problem connected with digital transformation of the mining industry toward import substitution and creation of a barrierless technology to operate digital data and models of objects of a mining technology with a view to solving tasks in geology, surveying and engineering. An important component of a barrierless technology is a single virtual digital space for the database translation when using program products based on different object models. Such technology is implementable through formation of a digital platform containing a basic function to operate object models in digital space and API-functions to integrate the created tools into this digital space. The requirements of the digital platform are to the largest degree met by the program products of mining and geological information systems. In the digital space of such systems, 3D modeling is performed and basic mining and geological problems are solved. The article formulates the main functionality standards of such digital platform and describes the current situation in creation of the platform using the mining and geological information system (MGIS) MINEFRAME at the Mining Institute, KSC RAS, and at MINEFRAME Laboratory LLC.

The authors address a relevant problem connected with digital transformation of the mining industry toward import substitution and creation of a barrierless technology to operate digital data and models of objects of a mining technology with a view to solving tasks in geology, surveying and engineering. An important component of a barrierless technology is a single virtual digital space for the database translation when using program products based on different object models. Such technology is implementable through formation of a digital platform containing a basic function to operate object models in digital space and API-functions to integrate the created tools into this digital space. The requirements of the digital platform are to the largest degree met by the program products of mining and geological information systems. In the digital space of such systems, 3D modeling is performed and basic mining and geological problems are solved. The article formulates the main functionality standards of such digital platform and describes the current situation in creation of the platform using the mining and geological information system (MGIS) MINEFRAME at the Mining Institute, KSC RAS, and at MINEFRAME Laboratory LLC.

The history of applying computer technologies in the mining industry goes back for more than half a century. Research activities in the 60s-70s of the last century were focused on modeling of deposits, machine representation of mining and geological information and creation of mathematical models of surface and underground mines. The first automated control systems started to emerge at mining enterprises during this period. The main trends in application of computer technologies, including geological modeling, support of surveying and design, as well as planning of mining operations, were established by the 1980s. Several industry programs to create computer-aided design systems for the mining industry were implemented in the USSR in the 1980s. However, despite significant achievements, the development of these systems faced a number of challenges, such as a lack of software unification and a shortage of technical means at workplaces. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, many scientific teams fell apart, and the previous developments were lost. Modern developments in the mining and geological information systems (MGIS) in the post-Soviet countries were initiated by new teams in the 1990s. The withdrawal of foreign MGIS from Russia, on the one hand, opened a window of opportunities for the Russian developers, but, on the other hand, challenged them with a difficult task to create a domestic full-featured MGIS in the shortest time possible, i.e. within 2-3 years.

Using the algorithm and the results of laboratory studies on grinding of loparite ores from the Lovozero deposit in a ball and rod mill, simulation grinding models were designed based on the transformation of a discrete function of the density distribution of outputs of mineral particle size classes. The model’s adequacy was quantitatively analysed carried out by calculating the determination coefficient without taking into account the constant component of the distribution; for a qualitative assessment of the result the authors used the Cheddock scale. The authors studied the minerals disintegration at ball and rod grinding with the following verification of the proposed algorithm. To identify the distribution of loparite by size classes in the initial ore samples and in the samples obtained in the disintegration taking place at different productivity, the X-ray diffraction analysis and the combined (weight, optical and geometric) methods were used.

Приведены результаты численного моделирования процесса торцевого выпуска руды, полученные методом дискретных элементов. Работа включала в себя стадии разработки методики моделирования, создание и калибровку численных моделей, анализ результатов. Установлены оптимальные параметры конструктивных элементов системы разработки, способствующие снижению потерь при выпуске в условиях отработки хибинских апатит-нефелиновых месторождений. Получены некоторые закономерности поведения горной массы при ее выпуске. Представлен механизм образования потерь. The article describes numerical modeling of sublevel stoping using the discrete element method. The study included development of a modeling procedure, creation and calibration of the numerical models, and the result analysis. The optimal design parameters of structural components of the mining system are found, which are promotive of reduced ore losses in sublevel stoping at the Khibiny apatite-nepheline deposits. Some behavioral patterns of rock mass during sublevel stoping are obtained. The mechanism of ore losses is described.

The article describes numerical modeling of sublevel stoping using the discrete element method. The study included development of a modeling procedure, creation and calibration of the numerical models, and the result analysis. The optimal design parameters of structural components of the mining system are found, which are promotive of reduced ore losses in sublevel stoping at the Khibiny apatite–nepheline deposits. Some behavioral patterns of rock mass during sublevel stoping are obtained. The mechanism of ore losses is described.

In order to improve mineral separation efficiency, new adaptive process monitoring, predicting, and management systems are required. These may be developed through the creation of digital twins of respective processes, stages, and plants. Simulation models are a special type of mathematical models that reproduce the behavior of actual systems in time over a wide range of parameter values. The authors have developed a simulation model of a section segment in the processing of ferruginous quartzites and implemented it in the form of a computer application. The results of pilot tests conducted at section No. 9 of the crushing and processing plant of JSC «Olcon» were used as the initial data for its development. The objective was to predict distribution characteristics for the design size class (–0.071 mm) by process stages when producing magnetite concentrate. The paper presents the identified dependencies between process indicators of distributed mass flows under cyclic loads, the results of statistical processing of the sampling data, and their comparison with the simulation results. The example of modeling the classification and screening processes is used to demonstrate the feasibility of rapidly predicting process efficiency using the Hancock–Luiken criterion. It has been shown that the model may be paired with the enterprise monitoring system, the probability of deviation from the specified conditions may be identified for each section, step-by-step predictions of process indicators and decision-making recommendations may be issued, and direct equipment operation via the automated control system may be performed. It is assumed that the model will be complemented with functions to record distribution of the product mineral composition for each processing operation.

The paper considers the dependence of the results of inter-cycle flotation of copper-nickel ores on the fineness of grinding, in particular, on the content of the flotation of the fineness class −0.071 mm in the feed. The forecast of the distribution of crushed ore into fineness classes was carried out by modeling the process of reducing the fineness based on the Gauss—Laplace distribution, taking into account the specifics of the ore material and grinding conditions. For the analytical presentation of the experimental results, an integrated approach was used based on the representation of the dependence of the froth product yield on the fineness of the flotation feed grinding in the form of an offset exponential distribution and a normalized offset Weibull distribution. The solution of the problem of analytical representation of the distribution of the useful component in the fineness classes of flotation products was performed on the basis of the B (beta) distribution according to the technological indicator of the extraction of the useful component. As a result, the developed model allowed to obtain an absolute error in the predictive ability of technological indicators at the flotation feed fineness interval used in experiments, no more than 1.28% for the yield of products and no more than 0.16% for the content of a useful component in products.

The main modern trend that determines the development direction of the mining technology is the digitalization of both the engineering support tools for mining operations and the means of controlling the technological processes of mining production. The process of digital transformation has a rather long history, but in recent years, due to the rapid development of computer technology, software and communication tools, it has reached a level that allows making a qualitative leap in the mining technology itself. Digital technologies make it possible not only to combine data and models in a single digital space, but also to give them dynamics, turning models into a digital likeness of real objects. Thus, the way of organizing the digital space of a mining enterprise largely determines the level of digital transformation of production. There are four main stages in the digital transformation of the mining industry: from automating the solution of individual tasks to the digital twin of a mining enterprise. The presence of a single digital space at the enterprise makes it possible to implement a number of promising digital technologies that provide a qualitatively new level of mining management and ensuring their safety. The most important issue of the digital transformation of the mining industry, especially in the context of sanctions, is to ensure the technological sovereignty of the country. The current situation in the field of software shows the other side of globalization, which, in fact, has led to monopolization of the Russian market by the Western software companies. The solution to this problem is the transition to domestic software. And this is not only the task of the state, but also that of enterprises interested in the stable functioning of their industries and the growth of qualifications of their employees, because domestic developers rely primarily on the knowledge and experience of Russian specialists, involving them in the innovation process.

The authors consider the mining-geological and technical-economic conditions of promising ore deposits in the Western part of the Arctic of the Russian Federation and analyze the existing methods for evaluating investment projects. They have revealed that the methods do not take into account the intensive introduction of digital technologies, automation and robotization of machines and equipment into the mining industry. The authors substantiate the necessity of using digital technologies in the investment appraisal of mining projects. The study objective is the developing of an improved method for investment appraisal in the Western Arctic mining projects. The authors suggest a methodical approach based on parametric and scenario modeling, which allows minimizing the influence of uncertainty factors and increasing the efficiency of decision-making. Thus, for the practical implementation of the approach in the investment appraisal of mining projects, taking into account digital technologies, they propose an algorithm that includes six effective steps. A distinctive feature of the approach is the use of methods for modeling mining equipment objects. The mining and geological information system MINEFRAME, created at the Mining Institute of the KSC RAS, has the necessary functionality. An investment appraisal of 13 promising deposits as mining projects is completed. The authors select nine (9) deposits that best meet the criteria of economic feasibility. Types of ore minerals: titanium, rare earth elements, lithium, vanadium group the selected deposits and ranked according to investment evaluation indicators. The authors propose economically justified and effective scenarios for involving investment-attractive deposits in the economic turnover. Both the integration of mining projects into closely located mining enterprises and their autonomous development are envisaged.

Today, digital planning of mining operations has become one of the most in-demand tools for solving technological problems of industry. A set of tools for planning underground mining operations has been developed based on the MGIS MINEFRAME software. The tools were designed taking into account the geological and geotechnical conditions at the PIMCU, PJSC and Yakovlevsky GOK JSC mines. The specificity of these mines is the use of the downward horizontal-slice dry-fill mining method. A distinctive feature of the developed tool is a wide variation in the planning period (from long-term to short-term), which is achieved by using cyclograms to simulate technological processes of stoping and backfill operations. Furthermore, the tools available for creating and visualizing a dynamic model of mining progression provide ample opportunities to optimize and specify the mining plan.

The authors put forward a concept of modeling objects within a mining technology. The concept integrates the technology content and state change of an object, and allows processing and storage of temporal data on digital mine twin. A set of such models shapes a joint dynamic model of evolution of all mine objects in the course of mineral mining. Using this approach, the time-variable vector, triangulation and block models can be synchronized via transactions in data bases, and can be used to describe the life cycles of individual objects or their sets within a mining technology. Implementation of this concept can help handle problems connected with digital twining of mines.

The process of introducing digital technologies in mining has an evolutionary character and began with the appearance of electronic computing machines at large enterprises, design and scientific organizations. At the initial stage, solving the tasks of mining technology with the use of computers was mainly of demonstration character. Development of works in this branch has led to differentiation of the general task into separate areas: mining-geological information systems (MGIS); geomechanical safety ensuring systems; dispatching systems; programs for solving individual tasks of mining technology. One of the most important directions of digital transformation is mining-geological information systems (MGIS), the development of which went, as a rule, from solving tasks of deposit reserves estimation to modeling of mining technology objects, tools for solving surveying tasks, design and planning of mining works. Evaluating the functionality of MGIS known in the Russian market, we can state that the achieved development level generally meets the requirements of a Digital Mine - the way of representation of objects and processes of mining technology as digital models describing the properties and behaviour of real objects in a single digital space of the enterprise. The next stage of digital transformation is a Digital Twin, which can be characterized as a Digital Mine that has on-line communication links between real equipment units and their digital models. Creation of the Digital twin implies real-time reproduction of the natural-engineering system functioning, reflecting its actual or forecasted state.

The widespread use of hydraulic excavators has brought up a question of rope excavator competitiveness and the conditions for their effective use. To answer this question, the paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the economic operation indicators of rope and hydraulic excavators with bucket capacity of 11–12 m3. The analysis is based on actual data on excavators’ operation in mines in Russia. As an analysis tool, the authors the methodology mining machinery efficiency assessment by specific accumulated owning costs during service life. The authors have analyzed the dynamics of the specific accumulated owning costs of Russian manufacture rope excavators EKG-12K with bucket capacity of 12 m3 manufactured by IZ–KARTEX named after P. G. Korobkov in comparison with similar foreign manufacture open-pit hydraulic excavators. The analysis has shown that the owning costs of rope excavator EKG-12K in operation in truck-and-shovel mining systems with dump trucks having capacity of 130 tons in excavation of semirocks during twenty-year service life are less than half, comparing to the owing costs of the hydraulic excavators. Starting from the 5th year of operation, the values of the specific accumulated costs of EKG-12K, including the costs of purchase, operation, maintenance and repair, become lower than the specific accumulated costs of the hydraulic excavators-analogues. The paper presents the calculated and actual performance indicators of excavators EKG-12K in open pit mines in Russia , which have shown the closeness of their values. The authors give the actual data on the specific costs of operation, maintenance and repair of open-pit hydraulic excavators with a working weight of 200 tons and with bucket capacity of 11–12 m3 during their service life.

The paper describes the principal features of applying digital technologies in mining when switching to Industry 4.0 and presents the technological and economic consequences.The authors show evolution of information technologies in mining from the mid-1960s up to the present day.The Mining and Geological Information System (MGIS) MINEFRAME is used as an example to demonstrate potential of modern geoinformation systems in solving various tasks such as geological modeling and reserve estimation, survey support, as well as design and planning of mining operations.MINEFRAME's structure and functionality allows creating a computer technology of engineering support of open and underground mining for certain mine conditions.This makes it possible to come to generation of united