In this article actual topics concerned with mechanical properties of bulk materials, usage of computer vision and artificial neural networks in this research are discussed. The main principles of the system for analysis of bulk materials mechanical characteristics are described. Bulk material outflow behaviour with predefined parameters (particles shapes and radius, coefficients of friction, etc.) was modelled. The outflow was modelled from the calibrated conical funnel. Obtained dependencies between mechanical characteristics and pile geometrical properties are represented as diagrams and graphs.

The article describes the current situation in the global uranium concentrate market, explains the reasons for the formation of an excess amount of finished goods and the subsequent decreasein prices. The authorsevaluated the prospects of using market mechanisms to improve the financial results of Russian uranium mining enterprises. The location of the main mining centers in comparison with the centers of consumption of finished goods, pricing for the products of uranium mining companies, the dynamics of price changes over the past 20 years, the influence of non-market factors on the supply of finished products are analyzed.This study led to the conclusion that the expectation of changes in the market situation is not viable in a long term. The authors outlined the direction to improve the profitability of mining enterprises by introducing technological changes aimed at reducing the cost of the final product.

The paper analyzes the reasons for the failure of tangential rotary cutters of tunneling machines when carrying out rock heading of medium-hard rocks. It has been found that the most characteristic reason for cutter bit failures is the premature wear of the tool holder (body). It is known that increasing its hardness is the most effective way to increase the wear resistance of a material. The effect of thermomechanical processing of the body material on its hardness and wear resistance is studied. It has been found that the thermomechanical processing of the cutter bit body material results in an increase in its hardness and wear resistance. It has been found that the decrease in wear rate is proportional to the deformation of the material during thermomechanical processing. It has been concluded that thermomechanical processing of cutter bit bodies would increase their wear resistance.