Safety of repeated use of deep-level openings in Norilsk mines

Abstract

The article discusses safe repeated use of deep-level openings in Norilsk mine for vegetable production and herb cultivation in special facilities. Farming on the field in the north and east of Russia either is restricted by a short warm period suitable for vegetation, or is impossible due to climate, while the glasshouse industry bears losses because of the power cost and other expenses. At the actual depth of mining in the Talnakh ore cluster, the mine air temperature may reach 40 Celsius degrees and higher, which offers comfortable condition for the implementation of R&D projects in biotechnologies. One the other hand, the ore bodies in the cluster are rockburst-hazardous, which means high probability of dynamic events with deformation and destruction of underground excavations. It is necessary to undertake the elaborated studies into geodynamic safety to select and validate installation sites for biotechnology objects. It is suggested to select deep-level installation sites for the production of vegetable crops AVK-15 with regard to the geodynamic zoning of the Norilsk ore cluster. Deeplevel vegetation production will become safe as a result, and new eco-friendly and adaptable technologies will be developed for the year-round cultivation of fresh vegetables and green at the low material inputs and power consumption per unit product.