Technologies of mining in Belaruskaliy

Starobin deposit of the potash salts is one of the world's biggest deposits (about 350 sq. km). It is located in the southern part of Minsk Region. According to its structure the deposit represents a flat sheet deposit (pitch angle is 1-30°), consisting of four potash levels - from number one to number four (from top downward). The distance between the potash levels makes out from 50-60 meters (between number one and number two) to 150-200 meters (between number two and three, as well as between numbers three and four).
  The seams in the levels II and III (seams number two and three) are being mined. The potash seam in the level number I at mine No. 1 was started to mined since 2004. The potash level number four is considered to be a perspective one for the further developing. Besides this, over the boundaries of the mine fields of the existing mines significant reserves of potash salts are explored which are planned for mining by PA "Belaruskali" in perspective (Krasnoslobodski and Nezhinski areas of the deposit).

Chamber mining
 By means of chamber system the mining of the deposit was started which prevents the dangerous deformations of the underworked rock mass and in consequence eliminates the penetration of underground water into the goaf.We use the following types of chamber mining in our deposit:
- Mining with establishing the yielding pillars
- Mining with establishing the support pillar
- Mining with regular establishing the yielding and support pillars.

Pillar mining
 Pillar mining of the 2nd and 3rd potash seams by means of longwall mining (face mining) with roof caving is used since 1969.
We use the following types of longwall mining:
- Complete mining of the 2nd stratum and seams II, II-III and seam III of the 3rd stratum without seam separation.
- Selective mining of the seams II, II-III and seam III of the 3rd stratum without seam separation.
- Layer extraction of the 2nd seam.
- Layer extraction of the 3rd seam.

Combined system of mining

  There are three productive sylvinite layers (II, III and IV) in the potash level III, divided by the seams of halite. Using the combined system of mining the upper IV sylvinite layer is mined by means of pillar system and the subjacent layers II and III are mined by means of chamber mining. This system is used rather seldom due to a big loss of the mineral from the layers II and III.


Driving the development workings

  Driving the development workings in our deposit is made by means of continuous miner complexes that consist of a continuous miner, a conveyor hopper and a shuttle car. The workings have the width of 3.0, 4.0, 4.05, 4.5 m (depending on the type of the continuous miner used). The height is 2.4, 2.6, 3.0 m. If necessary the floor of the working con be undercut.

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