Institute of Integrated Mineral Resources Development – IPKON, Moscow, Russia:

D. R. Kaplunov, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, kapdan@rambler.ru

In hard mineral mining, much attention is paid to justifying ecologically balanced, most often hybrid geotechnologies the importance of which in the industry can hardly be overestimated. As a science, a hybrid geotechnology is the framework for specialists faced with the necessity to integrate knowledge from various spheres of mining science and technology in their research, design and production activities and, especially, management. This is not a simple combination of open and underground mining methods, as it was earlier considered, but a separate industry requiring special knowledge and skills. The article points at a number of difficulties which mines have to overcome in transition from one method to another, including the unjustifi ably prolonged period of completion of open mining operations and, as a consequence, the need for long-term support of pit walls and haul roads. A significant complication to the situation is the disinclination of mine personnel to switch to an alternative way of production. It is shown that in order to actuate this process, it is expedient to invite specialists in the alternative mining method for organizational management in the transition period. It is proved that the development of hybrid geotechnology–as the basis for the integrated mineral resources development and preservation–becomes a topical concept of mining in modern conditions. This will ensure effective interaction between advanced scientific achievements and their adaptation to training programs for highly skilled specialists and personnel, and will contribute to the advancement in mining science, technology and education in Russia and abroad.
This study has been supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Grant No. 14-37-00050.

1. Epstein R., Goic M., Weintraub A., Catalán J., Santibáñez P. et al. Optimizing Long-Term Production Plans in Underground and Open-Pit Copper Mines. Operations Research. 2012. Vol. 60, No. 1. pp. 4–17.
2. Zhao X.-D., Li L.-C., Tang C.-A., Zhang H.-X. Stability of boundary pillars in transition from open pit to underground mining. Journal of Central South University. 2012. Vol. 19, No. 11. pp. 3256–3265.
3. Marschalko M., Yilmaz I., Bednárik M., Kubečka K. Influence of underground mining activities on the slope deformation genesis: Doubrava Vrchovec, Doubrava Ujala and Staric case studies from Czech Republic. Engineering Geology. 2012. Vol. 147. pp. 37–51.
4. Sokolov I. V., Balek A. E., Antipin Yu. G., Smirnov A. A. Substantiation of underground geotechnology for hybrid mining of Kyshtym quartz deposits. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2016. No. 5. pp. 58–63. DOI: 10.17580/gzh.2016.05.07
5. Volkov Yu. V., Sokolov I. V. Basic ways of development of geotechnology and geotechnics of underground mining of ore deposit. Gornyy informatsionno-analiticheskiy byulleten. 2007. No. 3. pp. 270–272.
6. Sokolov I. V., Gobov N. V., Antipin Yu. G., Smirnov A. A., Nikitin I. V. et al. Systematization and assessment procedure for alternative strategies of iron ore mining with underground processing plants. Gornyy informatsionno-analiticheskiy byulleten. 2015. No. 7. pp. 101–108.
7. Kaplunov D. R., Radchenko D. N. Mined-out areas: Approaches to multipurpose use in complete integrated cycle of hard mineral mining. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2016. No. 5. pp. 28–33. DOI: 10.17580/gzh.2016.05.02
8. Kaplunov D. R., Rylnikova M. V., Radchenko D. N. Realization of concept of stable development of mining territories – basis of expansion of mineral-resource complex of Russia. Ustoychivoe razvitie gornykh territoriy. 2015. No. 3. pp. 46–50.
9. Trubetskoy K. N., Kaplunov D. R., Rylnikova M. V., Radchenko D. N. New approaches to designing resource-reproducing technologies for comprehensive extraction of ores. Fiziko-tekhnicheskie problemy razrabotki poleznykh iskopaemykh. 2011. No. 3. pp. 58–66.
10. Rylnikova M. V., Strukov K. I., Olizarenko V. V., Turkin I. V. Energy-efficient technologies in integrated mineral resources development: Prospects for application and estimate of parameters. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2017. No. 11. pp. 71–76. DOI: 10.17580/gzh.2017.11.13
11. Development of resource-saving and resource-reproducing geotechnologies of complex mastering of mineral deposits. Ed.: K. N. Trubetskoy. Moscow : Izdatelstvo IPKON RAN, 2012. 206 p.
12. Rylnikova M. V., Galchenko Yu. P. Renewable energy sources at complex mastering of soils. Moscow : IPKON RAN, 2015. 122 p.
13. Bansal P. Evolving Sustainably: A Longitudinal Study of Corporate Sustainable Development. Strategic Management Journal. 2005. Vol. 26, No. 3. pp. 197–218.
14. Craynon J. R., Sarver E. A., Robertson D. P. Could a public ecology approach help resolve the mountaintop mining controversy? Resources Policy. 2013. Vol. 38, Iss. 1. pp. 44–49.
15. Humphreys D. Sustainable development: can the mining industry afford it? Resources Policy. 2001. Vol. 27, Iss. 1. pp. 1–7.