Mining Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia:

A. I. Kalashnik, Head of Laboratory, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, kalashnik@goi.kolasc.net.ru

The article presents the scientific and technical justification for the structure of integrated research and monitoring of tailings in terms of the major mines of the Kola Region. The data on the volume and quantity of mining waste in the tailings, as well as the parameters of the protective dams have been analyzed. The author has revealed the features of the volume ratio of ore production and mill tailings over a period from 2008 to 2020. The article presents some information about a laboratory founded at the Mining Institute of the Kola Science Center, intended to perform comprehensive studies and monitoring of the hydraulic facilities of tailings storages using modern interdisciplinary methods. The material and technical facilities, instruments, equipment and information resources used by the laboratory during the field and lab-scale operations are described. The author reviews the experience and results of comprehensive research and monitoring of large mine tailings in the Kola Region. The general features of the intensive accumulation of mine tailings have been revealed. A system-based structure of comprehensive research has been proposed, which implements the principles of multilevel (subsurface, surface, superterranean and space) and multiscale (from millimeter grains of soil to kilometer-sized tailings as a whole as an object) investigation. The implementation of the developed principles at the specific observation and monitoring objects has been substantiated. The author has justified integration of the methods, necessary equipment and regime of observation and monitoring activities. The developed principles of comprehensive research and monitoring of hydraulic facilities of tailings storages have been tested at all large mines of the Kola Region.

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