On Science Day - April 12 - a round table meeting of the World Academy of Mining Sciences was held within the walls of the Kazakh-British Technical University on the topic “Physical and chemical geotechnology of FCG - innovations and development trends.” This area of mining science is extremely relevant and involves the transition to closed systems for the extraction of mineral raw materials, eliminating the rise of ore to the surface. Representatives of five countries discussed the theories and practices of physical and chemical geotechnology in terms of modern research and innovative approaches. It is worth noting that the Almaty branch of the National Academy of Mining Sciences of Kazakhstan operates at KBTU.
The meeting was held under the auspices of the 125th anniversary of Kanysh Satpayev, a mining engineer-geologist, founder of the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. Today, re-reading the complete collection of works of Kanysh Imantayevich, you see that many of his studies and proposals are still relevant. Many of the deposits he indicated have not yet been developed. There is no production of individual metals or alloys.
Nurlan Ryspanov, President of the World and National Academies of Mining Sciences, explained the main objective of the round table - the exchange of experience in the extraction of mineral resources using the clean method - which is a pressing problem in most CIS countries:
“As you know, we have been mining ore for more than a century mainly by two methods: open-pit mining and the shaft method. We are the ones who lift billions of tons of ore to the surface every year and store them. Thus, today we have accumulated more than 40 billion tons of ore in Kazakhstan, which is a big environmental problem. Therefore, one of the main tasks of the National Academy of Mining Sciences and the World Academy of Mining Sciences is the processing of technogenic mineral formations. But to finally solve this problem, we must stop raising ore to the surface and switch to a closed mining system without raising ore to the surface. This already works in the mining of uranium, copper, and gold. Today we are working on introducing such technology in the extraction of other minerals.” As Nurlan Ryspanov noted, today a virtual research institute of physical and chemical geotechnology has been created, where more than 50 scientists are members, which perfectly promotes discussions and the search for solutions.
Ochirbat Punsalmaashiin, Chairman of the Presidium of the World and President of the Mongolian Academy of Mining Sciences also noted the problem of integrated mining and waste of minerals:
“It is important to establish the use of waste as secondary raw materials in the production of end products of rare metals. An innovative approach to the development of mineral resources is important - this is a pressing issue in the global economy. Therefore, we are looking for how to use minerals efficiently. Mongolia is also rich in minerals and mineral raw materials, and to put all this into economic circulation, it is necessary to study the experience of other countries. Kazakhstan today is the leader in uranium mining and Mongolia should study this experience and implement it. At such meetings, we calculate the theory together with the minds of our field, and then try everything in practice.”
As a continuation of the round table, meetings of the Presidium of the National and World Academies of Mining Sciences were held. The presidents of the academies of mining sciences of Georgia - academician Chakhradze N.M., of Kazakhstan - academician Ryspanov N.B., of Mongolia - academician Ochirbat P., of Russia - academician Piven G.F., of Uzbekistan - academician Sanakulov K.S., as well as corporate members, heads of large domestic and foreign universities and institutes.
Within the framework of the World Academy of Mining Sciences, to consolidate the potential of the world's mining scientists, there is a constant process of creating research institutes that, working online under the guidance of a major world-class scientist, unite scientists in the areas of mining science. Today, research institutes have been created and are operating: “Physical-Chemical Geotechnology”, “Rare and Rare-Earth Metals”, “Explosive Technologies”. On the initiative of Mongolian scientists, the presidium decided to establish the Research Institute “Ecology of Mining”. Mining problems that arise in any country are posed and solved in one or another research and development center by consolidating the knowledge of scientists in different parts of the world. Practical research is carried out on the basis of the most prepared laboratory or several laboratories.
Kazakhstan is truly becoming the center of the Mining Science of the world, taking first place in the world in the development of closed systems for the extraction of metals without lifting ore to the surface - the technology of underground borehole leaching (UBL) of metals. There are about 20 modern UBL mines operating in the country. Work is underway to introduce UBL at deposits of non-ferrous and precious metals and at technogenic mineral formations. Kazakhstani scientists are working on the transfer of technologies for closed production systems around the world; new educational trajectories are opening at Kazakhstani technical universities to train specialists and researchers in the field of closed production systems.
