Purpose. Development of a new method for calculation of drilling-and-blasting operations parameters during underground mining with application of emulsion explosives taking into account their energy characteristics as well as physical and mechanical properties of rocks. Methods. The integrated methodological approach including analytical transformations of the received formulas for calculation of drilling-and-blasting operations parameters, their improvement and also computer modeling on the basis of a finite element method were used for the establishment of compression zones and formations of cracks in the massif around shots taking into account such energy characteristics of emulsion explosive as detonation velocity, explosion heat, density of the explosives, etc. Findings. The relative force coefficient was determined for the emulsion explosive of “Ukrainit” type taking into account the extent of detonation velocity realization, which allowed to calculate the necessary amount of explosives. On the basis of experimental data, consistent patterns of detonation velocity change depending on the charge density and diameter yielding to power law are determined for the emulsion explosive of “Ukrainit” type. Improvements have been made to the analytical expression determining the sizes of compression and fracturing zones around blast holes taking into account energy characteristics of the emulsion explosive of “Ukrainit” type as well as physical and mechanical properties of the blasted rocks. This allowed to develop a new algorithm of calculating parameters for drawing up the passport of drilling-and-blasting operations during underground mining. Originality. The method for calculating drilling-and-blasting operations parameters is based on the regularities of emulsion explosives energy characteristics change, the extent of detonation velocity realization as well as physical and mechanical properties of rocks. Practical implications. A new method has been developed for calculation of drilling-and-blasting operations parameters during mining with emulsion explosives application, which results in minimization of energy consumption for the mass breakage.

Purpose. To define relevant problems and propose ways for development of production, scientific and educational spheres associated with nuclear-and-fuel power industry of Ukraine. Methods. The current state of uranium and zirconium production, as well as accompanying enterprises has been analyzed. Issues related to training of workers, engineers and highly-qualified personnel are considered in the context of implementation of the State target economic program “Uranium of Ukraine”. Findings. The impediments in the development of production, scientific and educational spheres on the way of creating the closed nuclear-and-fuel cycle in Ukraine are determined. Originality. The author suggests forming an administrative inter-branch body with pedagogic and research functions that will be able to successfully solve production, scientific and educational problems in structural units of nuclear-and-fuel cycle of Ukraine. Practical implications. The paper laid the groundwork for creating a corporate educational institution of power engineering profile in Ukraine which will solve pivotal problems in production, scientific and educational spheres of nuclear-and-fuel cycle.

Purpose. To substantiate drilling-and-blasting technologies allowing to reduce the amount of hazardous substances affecting the level of ecological safety during underground ore mining. Methods. The laboratory research of atmospheric air condition in the vicinity of mine were conducted by means of the physical-chemical analysis. The normative technique for calculation of harmful substances concentration in the atmospheric air was used for defining peculiarities of ecologically hazardous substances dispersion in the atmosphere from mine ventilation shafts. Findings. The research into ecological condition of the atmospheric air in the vicinity of iron-ore mine allowed to reveal the regularities of changing the ground level concentration of ecologically hazard substances depending on the distance to the ventilation shaft. Values of hazard indices were determined for different distances from the emission source in the cases of TNT-based and emulsion explosives application. Originality. Regularities of hazard index change depending on the ground level concentration of ecologically hazardous substances and the distance to emission sources were established. Practical implications. The new technology of drilling-and-blasting operations using eco-friendly emulsion explosives during ore deposits mining by means of square-chamber system is proposed. It will allow to lessen ecological hazard indices of harmful substances effect.

Purpose. To identify indicators of massif zonal structuring around underground working using numerical modeling techniques. Methods. Research into massif zonal structuring was performed using finite element method and thermodynamic method by which the size and number of zones formed around development workings and stopes have been simulated. Findings. The ratio of zones’ vertical and horizontal semiaxes in the massif has been established and reliability of the obtained results was determined. The prospects of new modeling techniques for the study of massif zonal structuring parameters around underground workings have been identified. Originality. The opportunities for wide application of numerical simulation methods to study the phenomenon of zonal encapsulation by the massif of underground workings have been revealed. Practical implications. The sizes and shapes of zones in the massif around workings were determined and requirements were formulated stating that synergetic research methods should allow to more accurately determine the number, size and shape of zones, as well as fading sinusoidal stress and massif strain domains.

Purpose. To examine rock mass stress changes in hanging wall and footwall rocks of the deposit during mining of primary and secondary stoping chambers. Methods. Analytical research into stress-strain state around stoping chambers was executed with the help of thermodynamical method that gives the highest convergence of calculated elastic deformations and those measured in the mine. Findings. Regularities of stress field formations in the mass of stoping chambers unloading zones are specified. The main areas of stresses concentration located in hanging wall and footwall rocks, in ore mass and backfilling are determined. The shape of radial stress isolines around stoping chambers tends towards ellipsoid. The stress level of mass around hanging wall and footwall rocks, in unloading zones of stoping chambers changes according to exponential dependences relating to the distance from ore deposit. Originality. Consists in capitalizing on the rock mass weakening effect which hosts primary and secondary stoping chambers for using rock stress value for determination of development workings site. Practical implications. The stress level of rocks around stoping chambers is defined and empirical dependencies of radial stresses values alterations in terms of changes of mining depth and proximity from ore deposit contour are specified.

Purpose. The main purpose of the work is identification of massif zonal fragmentation around mine workings by means of industrial methods of research. Methods. Research into processes of massif zonal fragmentation around mine workings was carried out by means of field experiments with the usage of methods of observation and estimation, mine surveying, massif unloading, deformation of boreholels and deep bench marks. Findings. In industrial conditions, results of research into massif behavior around mine workings allowed to define the steady dependence of massif fragmentation depth on the depth of workings contour destruction. It is established that the form of destruction contours of the development and stope ore tend to ellipsoidal shape, the steadiest form of mine working. The change of massif deformation depth across the contours of stoping chambers is mainly realized along power dependence, while in adjoining preparatory workings it is realized on exponential dependence. Originality. Systematization of processes of massif zonal fragmentation around mine workings with the purpose of rock pressure usage in technologies of ore deposits mining. Practical implications. The steady form of developing and stoping workings contour destruction is defined and dependences of massif deformation depth change containing workings are established.