The effect of high-temperature thermomechanical treatment (HTTT) on abrasive wear resistance of steel 30KHGGSA as the main material to manufacture holder of mining machine cutters is studied. The procedure of HTTT during deformation of cylindrical steel fragments at the preset settling-down rate and subsequent quenching is described. The finite element modeling in DEFORM-3 finds distribution of plastic strain in volume of forged pieces. On the plant based on the upright drilling machine, the abrasive wear resistance of forged pieces is tested on sandstone and siltstone as the medium-hardness and abrasivity co-rocks most frequently met in development heading. It is shown that pre-deformation of the fragments before quenching, i.e. HTTT, imporves the steel hardness from 44 to 55 HRC. It is shown that as against specimens nondeformed before quenching, the abrasive wear resistance of steel subjected to plastic straining up to εΣ ≈ 0.7 increases by 1.9 times in case of both siltstone and sandstone. Considering the obtained results, it is suggested to amend the manufacturing technology of cutters by quenching of fholder forging starting immediately from the forging temperature and by subjecting thereby the holder to high-temperature thermomechanical treatment. The cutting tool cartridge is to be held in the holder by cold pressing. It is assumed that HTTT application can essesntially (two times and more) improve wear resistance of steel holder head and, as a consequence, extend service life of cutters.

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 energy and its entire related infrastructure are the main drivers for a economic development and for ensuring a good level of employment. As part of a global study about international energy sector, we evaluate here the impact of technological changes on the state of the energy infrastructure. This study includes a detailed analysis of the global challenges facing the energy industry. We propose scenarios for the development of a modernized energy infrastructure with an assessment of the entire energy system. Our evaluation indicators are chosen in terms of the reliability of the energy infrastructure, of its quality, of the accidents that may happen and of the consequent environmental risks. This study is particularly adapted for forecasting the necessary measures (of technical nature, of governance kind) that have to be implemented to reduce the acceleration of the infrastructure deterioration rate. Our results reveal that the use of digital and information technologies has many positive impacts on the development and on the control of an efficient consumption of energy. In addition, our predictions, due to the further modernization of the energy sector, can contribute and help in the creation of preconditions that will be highly stimulating and profitable to the growth of investments in the energy infrastructure.