Belorussian Mining Society (Minsk, Republic of Belarus):

Voytenko V. S., Chairman, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, phone: + 375(29) 663-08-41

Belgorkhimprom» JSC (Minsk, Republic of Belarus):

Shemet S. F., Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, e-mail: bmci@bmci.by

Grechko A. M., Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, phone: + 375 (17) 234-74-94

Shutin S. G., Head of Department, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, phone:+ 375 (17) 234-60-86

This article gives the exploration developments of schemes of designs and technologies of extraction of thin potassium salt layers (as applied to the conditions of Starobinsky deposit) by method of underground dissolution of salts as an efficient alternative to traditional underground mining method. In authors' opinion, industrial mastering of the given technologies allows to expand the raw materials base of potassium enterprises and increase the efficiency of extraction of sylvinite reserves by method of underground dissolution of salts. This possibility requires the following operations:
-transition from the stage of exploration works to complex scientific-research, design-development and experimental-design activities, which include the development of detailed schemes, technological parameters and regulations of formation of tunnel chambers;
-carrying out of low-scale experiments on wash-outs of layer part in mine conditions;
-development of target designs of coiled tubing unit for underground dissolution of potassium salts;
-creation of high-accuracy instruments of positioning of working unit of installation;
-development of methods and parameters of wave influence on deposit and other tasks.

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