Solid mineral mining in the permafrost regions: Geoeconomy and Geotechnology

Abstract

The paper presents the review of geoeconomy and geotechnology of efficient solid mineral mining in the north and north-east of Russia. These areas feature harsh climate, predominant permafrost, vast areas of underdeveloped infrastructure and low population density, remoteness from processing and utilization hubs of produced minerals, high cost of goods and services, deficiency of skilled personnel, etc. The adverse and beneficial effects of the interior and exterior environment exert the direct and indirect influence on selection and adaptation of the existing and novel eco-friendly and efficient mining technologies, method and equipment to deposits in the permafrost regions. The authors describe some recent research findings of the Chersky Institute of Mining of the North, namely: integrated subsoil management in the permafrost region; thermophysics and geomechanics of permafrost rocks with regard to anthropogenic factors.