Assessment of directions to use man-made resources in the development of various types of mineral raw materials

Abstract

The paper reviews the issues related to closure of the Korkinsky coal mine in the Chelyabinsk Region. The authors describe the directions to utilize such man-made resources as open-pit excavation, overburden, and tailings generated during mining of coal and newly developed copper ore deposits. An assessment of possible ways to use man-made resources is provided in relation to abandonment of the worked-out Korkinsky coal mine. Backfilling with copper ore dressing tailings has been justified as the most rational way to abandon the worked-out coal strip mine. The paper describes the process of the backfill material production and its transportation to the discharge point. Backfilling of the Korkinsky coal mine with backfill material will help to solve environmental and social challenges of the region.