Purpose. Analysis of the man-made mineral formations of ore mining and smelting, fuel and energy complexes development accumulation, location and prospects amount in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Methods. Comprehensive approach, including analysis of state statistics, waste handling sites (WHSs), regional environmental report, environmental passport of the region, as well as data from other information sources is used in the work. Aerial photographs of man-made formations were obtained using the Google Earth 7.1.8 satellite program. Findings. The analysis of the main man-made mineral formations of ore mining and smelting, fuel and energy complexes accumulation in Ukraine (coal and mining industry waste heaps, tailing dumps, ash dumps, smelter slag dumps) was conducted, their amount and occupied areas were estimated. According to the densest location of man-made formations, they are divided into 4 regions: the Prydniprovsk region, the Kryvyi Rih region, the Nikopol region, the Pavlohrad region. According to information sources, the content of some valuable components in man-made formations has been established. Based on the world market prices of technogenic deposits components research, it was proposed to grade them according to the cost of valuable components. The promising directions have been proposed for the use of mineral resources in various economic sectors. It is noted that from the perspective of development of mineral and raw materials potential, the bulk formations are of interest because of their large reserves in the minimum area. But from the perspective of environmental protection and the interests of the Ukrainian people, the bulk technogenic formations occupying significant areas of agricultural land and having smaller mineral reserves are of great interest. Originality. The conception of man-made raw material mineral fund for further industrial development as an alternative to natural deposits is extended and systematized. For the first time, an integrated and detailed analysis has been performed of technogenic waste of the largest waste storage region in Ukraine, as well as the grouping has been proposed of mining and energy sector waste by density of location and by the contained components value. Practical implications. A sketch-map of the man-made objects location was drawn up and their gradation was carried out according to the preliminary prospects of their development. This will provide a more objective approach to the concept of industrial waste development and planning the strategy for the development of mineral and raw materials potential both at the state and regional levels.

Purpose. Development of innovative approaches in technological and technical solutions improvement for coal seam gasification. Methods. Carrying-out of native and world experience in the coal reserves development by underground gasification technology analysis, analytical studies on the heat and mass balance gasification process parameters determining and determination of the rock massif stress-deformed state around the gas gasifiers, and its technical and economic indicators operation. Findings. The analytical calculations of the rocks stress-deformed state for the Western Donbas mines conditions have revealed that the maximum length of the gasification pillar should not be more than 580 m. The innovative technological schemes of gas gasifiers sites preparation work are proposed in two constructions: with roses and drill injected blast activators. The energy indicators of the gas gasifiers work, the period of release into the gasification mode during reverse operations and fuel gases discharge during different combustion face advance and the injected blast composition are determined. Introduction of gas gasifiers’ constructions with drill injected blast activators are recommended for the numerous advantages. Originality. The dependence of the gasification pillar length change on the technical and economic parameters of the gasification station operation was established; the dependence of the gasification operation on the gasification mode and exhaust gases discharge, depending on the injected blast composition and the rate of the combustion face advance. Practical implications. The rational parameters of bed preparation at mine gasification, as well as energy and technological parameters of this process are substantiated. New technological schemes for coal reserves working out with gasification have been developed, which will allow additionally to use non-commercial and abandoned mine reserves and extend the mining enterprises duration.

This article presents the analysis of Ukrainian mining sciences journal – “Mining of Mineral Deposits” (acronym in English MMD). Our paper presents a case study of on journal in the field of mining sciences and describes the first year implementing a new concept of the journal. The results can serve as a reference in future studies of the journal in a new form. The findings of future research may be an indication as to whether the adopted policy of internationalization of the journal is effective and increases the impact of the Journal in World Science. Special consideration is given to website visitors activity and visits frequency statistics. It appears that MMD is improving its position within the group of leading and original Ukrainian mining periodicals.

Purpose. Setting up and implementation of complex, combined and non-waste power-chemical plant based on underground coal gasification with regard to analysis of its technical and economic efficiency. Methods. Research into the reliability of the gasifier plant components was performed by determining the sequence of processes and operations during underground coal gasification technology at all levels of the process. Findings. It was established that high reliability of coal gasification is ensured by stability of all constituents of the technological elements of the process. The basic steps of combining power and chemical plant specializing in synthetic hydrocarbons production are described. During gasifier plant operation, upgrading of equipment at the general level of mechanization between 0.5 – 0.7 will not lead to a serious increase in productivity. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate means and efforts to completion of mechanization of all production processes. Originality. The efficiency of mechanization and automation of processes at a gasifier plant is expressed through the formula of automatic control. We have identified dependencies describing changes in the mechanization efficiency of all technological units of the gasifier plant and productivity growth due to reducing the number of manufacturing operations. Practical implications. Analytical research testifies that effective functioning of the gasifier plant is ensured by automation of all technological processes. Computer system conversion requires additional investments which exceed the costs of mechanization by 1.25 – 1.4 times.

Purpose. Underground coal gasification, as a complex and technically difficult process, should be supported in many aspects by computer simulations or analytical calculations of rock mass behavior. However, little is known about the formation of stratification cavities in the roof rocks during coal seam gasification. To research the formation of stratification cavities and rocks deformations by mine pressure with the methods of calculation based on hypotheses or statistical information, a number of hypotheses are used. The main purpose is to examine the rock mass behavior and formation of stratification cavities during gasification of a thick coal seam. Methods. Analytical calculations were used as the research method for the work presented. The mathematical model of the stress-strain state of rock mass based on the theory of elasticity, resiliency, and maximum equilibrium, was developed and used in this paper. Findings. Critical analysis of geomechanical models of coal gasification together with their mathematical formulation was the result of considerations presented in this paper. Equations were derived for substantiating parameters of stratification cavities above the goaf of the underground gasifier. Subsequently, the volumes of stratification cavities depending on the length of gasification channel were calculated. The results have significant influence on gasifiers development and the final efficiency of gasification process. Originality. The research results were obtained from analytical calculations of rock mass behavior during thick coal seams gasification. The authors implemented a mathematical model based on the method suggested by professor A. Savostianov which was used in carrying out the calculations. Practical implications. The present study provides a starting point for further research and analytical calculations of rock mass behavior. The data and conclusions outlined in this paper may be useful in preliminary optimization and analysis of coal seams gasification. They can also be a point of reference for more advanced geomechanical simulations.