Scientists of the Polar State University (ZSU), which is a member of the Yenisei Siberia Research Center, have developed a new composition of an explosive for Arctic mines – granulite.
“In the Norilsk industrial district, the conditions for the use of explosive materials are unique. In addition to the fact that the territory is very rich in minerals, a whole bunch of additional difficulties are added to these riches.: high methane content, depth of occurrence. Each company tries to develop explosives under its own conditions,” said Alexey Koretsky, the author of the project, associate professor at the Polar State University and manager of the drilling and blasting Department of the Mining Department of the Polar Branch of Norilsk Nickel.
The main advantage of using the new granulite is its safety: due to the replacement of the main component, the risk of spontaneous explosion in contact with water, sulfur sulfide and with increasing temperature was eliminated. The development of explosives took place under the supervision of Rostechnadzor. The material has successfully passed a series of laboratory tests: tests for impact, friction and interaction with ores. They were successfully tested directly at the production site, at the Taimyr mine.
Granulite is now produced at Norilsk Nickel enterprises and has already been successfully used at the Oktyabrsky and Taimyrsky mines.
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The world-class scientific and educational Center (REC) “Yenisei Siberia” was established in 2019. It is an interregional association initiated by the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Republics of Khakassia and Tyva. The participants of the REC include 28 scientific and educational organizations and enterprises of the real sector of the economy. During its work, the scientific and educational center “Yenisei Siberia” has formed more than 50 comprehensive projects for the development of new technologies, bringing together the leading scientific, educational and industrial organizations of the region and the country.
Cover photo: Norilsk Nickel press service