Podzemni radovi

Design and Optimization of Ventilation Systems for Deep Underground Mines

2026-01-12T08:35:01+00:00

Challenges in ventilation management for deep underground mines grow as mining operations extend deeper because of increased temperatures and humidity. The combination of environmental factors in deep underground mines poses risks to worker safety and health while negatively affecting operational cost efficiency. Efficient ventilation system optimization delivers fresh air effectively, dilutes dangerous gases, and removes excess heat while achieving energy savings. The integration of advanced technologies like Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) enhances this paper's exploration of real-time monitoring and visualization capabilities within ventilation networks. Demand-driven ventilation and energy-optimized fan operations decrease energy costs while meeting environmental standards. These intelligent systems ensure deep mining industries thrive over time through their management of occupational health alongside resource efficiency and environmental considerations. The review reveals essential knowledge regarding ventilation system design and optimization while showcasing best practices and modern advancements that promote safety and sustainability in mining operations.

Optimization of Oil Production by Using Sucker Rod Pumps by Maintaining Optimal System Balance

2026-01-12T08:35:09+00:00

This paper explores the optimization of oil production by using sucker rod pumps while maintaining optimal system balance. Loss of efficiency due to unbalanced pump units and increased energy requirements are the key challenges in the exploitation of oil wells. In order to overcome these problems, an intelligent monitoring system has been explored and it integrates sensors, SCADA platform and predictive algorithms for real-time performance monitoring. The research has been conducted on five oil wells, where the key parameters, electric current, motor power and gearbox torque have been analyzed – before and after balancing the system. The results show a reduction in peak current and motor power, as well as the elimination of negative torque, thus increasing the efficiency and reliability of the equipment. Based on the calculation of electricity consumption, savings of 8% to 14% have been recorded, with an average value of 11%. In addition to energy efficiency, optimal balancing contributes to extending the service life of the gearbox and reducing the number of production downtime. The obtained results confirm that the combination of CBM approach and intelligent remote monitoring is a reliable basis for improving the exploitation of oil by using sucker rod pumps. This approach contributes to reducing operating costs, preserving equipment and achieving sustainable development goals in the oil industry.

Investigation of Pre-concentration of the Lece Ore Using Dense Medium Gravity Concentration

2026-01-12T08:35:29+00:00

The pre-concentration of Pb–Zn ores is commonly performed using gravity concentration in a dense medium. The primary objective of this process is to remove coarse-grained gangue from fully crushed ore using a cost-effective method, while keeping the loss of valuable metals within acceptable limits—comparable to or lower than those observed in flotation processes.

Laboratory tests on ore from the Lece deposit indicate that gravity concentration in a dense medium can successfully remove over 60% of coarse-grained gangue from fully crushed ore. From a process applicability standpoint, this represents a promising result. However, the associated losses of valuable metals—particularly gold and silver—are substantial, reaching approximately 50%. Gold is the most valuable component in the Lece ore. Therefore, pre-concentration at the final crushing stage is not considered feasible at industrial scale.

Selecting the Suitable Rock Excavation Method of Hard Rock Removal for Constructing a Ground Level Service Reservoir at Hill Top in Urban Population

2026-01-12T08:35:36+00:00

A best-suited method for rock excavation at the hilltop has been identified in the present paper for construction of a Ground Level Service Reservoir (GLSR) in a densely populated urban area. At the foothill, several residential houses are located at 70 meters from the excavation boundary. Due to presence of hard granitic rock, the previously adopted method using a non-explosive silent cracking agent combined with hydraulic rock breakers and excavators became inefficient in achieving the required production targets. Hence, various alternative rock excavation methods were evaluated considering two key factors, timely completion and safety of nearby structures.

Various rock-breaking techniques such as hydraulic rock breakers, static expansion agents, plasma blasting and heat-assisted splitting were reviewed thoroughly, but they found to be time-consuming and inadequate for completing the project within the time schedule. The use of explosives and controlled blasting method emerged as the only viable option provided the emanating ground vibrations, noise, and flyrock are maintained within permissible limits. Based on data from different sites with similar geological conditions, a vibration prediction equation was developed and accordingly, appropriate controlled blasting patterns along with an optimized excavation methodology were proposed to ensure safe rock excavation within the designated timeframe.