According to the top-priority trends and challenges in the mineral sector, and as per the mining science strategy, it is highly critical to arrange enhanced control, prediction and safety of production objects and their functioning for the preservation of automation sustainability. Improved control of databases, regulatory bonds, management, logistics and principles of sustainable development in mining makes it possible to reduce technological deviations and accidents at large mining and processing plants. Most procedural violations and accidents in surface and underground mines occur because of the unskilled actions of process flow operators. Damage in this case can be considerable, especially as compared with the expenses connected with qualitative training and persistent development of personnel engaged with supervisory control and data acquisition for the efficient operation of SCADA-systems within the automation framework of mining and processing plants. Definition of digital systems and their interrelation with multilevel automated control can be incorrect. The review of new principles can awaken interest in the conceptual assessment of digitalization processes using such notions as: numerical models, simulator, and artificial intel-ligence. Often applied formulations and principles of a digital model are substituted without justification of functional connections. On the other hand, a digital system today can be assumed as robotic lines and other numerical models and smart technologies, for instance, machining sta-tions with numerical program control. It is necessary to define the practical significance of conceptual modifications and digital transformation regarding objects of the mineral sector, using Big Data; to understand how a digital twin can influence a changeable process situation; to provide prompt prediction; to eliminate an accident; and to preserve the physical balance in the whole production system. Such intelligent and flexible productions particularly need computer-based simulators and digital twins based on technologies of Industry 4.0–extended and virtual reality on the basis of digital twins. Digital twins allow maximal simulation of real-life activity of process flow operators. The skills acquired by personnel after such simulation training enable operators to master the optimized procedure for functioning in emergency situations in mineral mining and processing. This paper exemplifies the remote training and control of process flows, which is of concern in the current international situation.

This paper carries out the research on the continental mining of solid minerals and on the search of the alternative solutions of raw material’s procurement for leading industries. A value of conducting underwater operations for extraction of shelf zone’s ferromanganese nodules is specified. Schematic diagram of conducting mining operations is submitted. The construction of a mining complex for mining ferromanganese nodules of the Baltic Sea with the possibility of its separation partial enrichment on the seabed during the process of production is proposed. An analytical model of the system with bottom device and flexible traction element is given. The interaction between a flexible traction element and a bottom-mining unit allows to define the character of relative motion and also to describe the position of the flexible traction element as it moves in the aquatic environment. Specific conditions for steady operation of the complex for its inseparable moving on a seabed are presented.

Present article is dedicated to the analysis of problems of the oil industry of Russia and is aimed at the development of a mechanism for its growth. The research is based on the results of the economic analysis that has been carried out on the basis of statistical data from the government and major oil companies as well as on the basis of analytical reports of independent companies. Among the main identified problems of the oil refining industry it can be mentioned following problems: insufficient volumes of raw material processing, lack of refinery capacities, remote location of oil extraction and refinery plants from the end users and unbalanced tax system in the industry. Specified problems are being solved on the level of companies and the state that brings results, however, there is no clear development mechanism of the oil refining industry so far. The authors suggest a development scheme for the Russian oil refining industry implying cooperation of businesses and the state. The implementation of the proposed scheme will ensure the investments for the extension of production and obtaining a product with a higher added value as well as increasing the competitiveness of the Russian oil products.