This article examines the development of deep and extensive potash deposits, focusing on the mandatory preservation of the waterprotective layer and the implementation of measures to minimize surface subsidence, which significantly affects the mineral extraction ratio. These requirements, along with the need for disposal of processing plant waste, can be addressed through backfilling of mined-out spaces. The main types and methods of backfilling are reviewed. It is noted that backfill costs can be reduced by using technologies that employ hardening mixtures, which enable the subsequent extraction of inter-chamber pillars and increase overall mineral extraction. However, the production and complete filling of chambers with hardening mixtures substantially raises costs, limiting widespread adoption and necessitating the development of more economical solutions. A technology for layer-by-layer mechanized backfilling, developed by the Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources (IPKON) Russian Academy of Sciences, is presented. This approach involves two stages: the primary stage uses dry transport of processing waste, and the secondary stage backfills the upper part of the chamber with a hardening mixture prepared directly near the chamber, achieving high strength characteristics in the backfill mass. A proposed equipment set, designed to fit within the actual dimensions of mine workings, can be assembled into a single mobile system through technical modifications. The potential for using mobile systems to prepare backfill mixtures in underwater mining of solid minerals is also discussed.

The results of tests for resistance to abrasive wear on highly abrasive hard rock white electrocorundum are presented. The main material of fast-wearing elements of mining and processing equipment-110G13L steel (Gadfield steel) in comparison with other 9 grades of steel and cast iron, including specially developed wear-resistant foreign steels such as Hardox and Miiluks, is analyzed. The studies were carried out using an experimental stand for studying the material wearing process. On the stand the sample was fixed in a holding device and, after being brought into contact with the abrasive, it was rotated under a constant load. As a result of the experiments, it was confirmed that the order of placement of the tested materials in terms of increasing wear resistance coincides with their placement in terms of increasing hardness. At the same time, the wear resistance of the most resistant material – U8A steel after quenching – is about 4 times higher than this indicator for the least resistant components – low-carbon steel 25L, including gray and high-strength cast iron SCH21, VCH35. The wear resistance of 110G13L steel, as well as 65G, U8 steels in the hardened state, is from 1.5 to 2 times higher than that of foreign steels M400, H450, M500, H500. The results of the conducted studies allow us to evaluate the analyzed materials on the basis of their wear resistance and hardness indicators on the feasibility of using them in the manufacture of fast-wearing parts of mining equipment. Based on the research data, it seems promising to develop new ways to increase the wear resistance of domestic steel, including 110G13L steel traditionally used in mining.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the composition and properties of the materials and liquids during transportation using pipeline and shows that in order to increase the efficiency of hydraulic transport systems in mining a transition to the transportation of slurries with a high concentration of solids in the slurry flow is necessary. Experimental studies have shown that slurry tailings of gold-containing ore with mass concentrations of more than 55 % are viscoplastic fluids. Experiments on a rotational viscometer allowed us to establish the main rheological characteristics of the studied slurries – shear stress and the dynamic effective viscosity. It has been established that over the entire range of concentrations from 55 to 65 %, the flow of slurries is described by the Bingham rheological equation. Experimental studies of hydraulic transport performed on a laboratory setup with a pipeline diameter of 50 mm confirmed the results obtained on a rotational viscometer. The curved of mixture stream is inclined straight lines that are cut off on the axis of the head in the sections, which determine the initial hydraulic slope corresponding to the yield shear stress on the rheological curves. According to the results of the experiments, a method has been developed for calculating the hydraulic transport of high concentrated slurries of tailings of gold-bearing ore. Calculations showed that in a given range the performance of the hydrotransport system and the mass concentration of the solid phase pressure losses vary from 11 to 84 m of water column/m. Head loss values increase with the increasing concentration. A sharp increase in the head loss occurs in the concentration range from 60 to 65 % and higher.