Volkov Yu. V., Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Sokolov I. V., Head of the Laboratory of Underground Geo-technology, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, e-mail: geotech@igd.uran.ru, Institute of Mining of Ural Branch of RAS

New approaches to forming the strategy of development deep-bedded ore deposits by combined (open pit-underground) mining, worked out as a result of investigations, are introduced. The proximity of underground block to open pit space is the cause of specific factors origination and their effect. The degree of isolation underground blocks from open pit space is set forth as a criterion value of conducting mining operations in the transition zone. The rising extraction of underground resources makes it possible to change radically the approaches of grounding the combined deposits mining strategy; by this open pit and underground mining processes (OPM and UM) inter-dependence that restrains their progress can be declined and the advantages of each of these processes can be realized at the expense of their disconnection either on a time basis or (and) in space by parallel as well as by consecutive pattern. Investigations and recommendations on optimization underground geo-technology by combined mining in terms of the set forth approaches and methods are cited as an example of kimberlite pipes of JSC “ALROSA”.

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