Evolution of deformations inside reclaimed man-made object of mining practice

The article describes the authors’ expedition research (2022–2025) into evolution of deformation processes inside a man-made mining object after its reclamation—the Unal tailings pond. After processing the field data of leveling survey, the contour map of the tailings pond surface was plotted. Large sags, more than 0.4 m deep are detected in the center of the tailings pond, and new damages are revealed on its surface. Based on the available knowledge on current deformations and geological conditions at the tailings pond, and using the hands-on experience of field surveys, the authors developed and tested an experimental rapid method of laser-assisted determination of reclaimed surface subsidence. The test results confirmed the requirement of continuous monitoring of the tailings pond because of its progressive deformation. The further research should be focused on creation of a geophysical observation and testing site to carry out: annual leveling survey with its persistent expansion to cover the whole perimeter of embankment; geomechanical monitoring; weather monitoring; observation of blue cups generated on the surface of the tailings pond by blooms and points of water inflows inside the body of the tailings pond along the old and new fissures; electric exploration to find total salt content on the surface of the tailings pond and to locate discharge points for electrolytic solutions down the dam perimeter, including the level of the flow line of the Ardon river.

Fomenko V. A., Sokolov A. A., Lolaev A. B., Bashmashnikov I. I., Turmetova G. Z. Evolution of deformations inside reclaimed man-made object of mining practice. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(7):90-101. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_7_0_90.

The study was carried out at the Southern Federal University and was supported by the Russian Science Foundations, Projects Nos. RNF/23-37-GL and 23-77-00015.

V.A. Fomenko¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: vafomenko@sfedu.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4725-3673,
A.A. Sokolov¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, Head of Chair, e-mail: anso@sfedu.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1127-9612,
A.B. Lolaev, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Deputy Director for Innovative Development, Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Mikhailovskoye, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Russia; Head of Chair, Kosta Levanovich Khetagurova North Ossetian State University, Vladikavkaz, Russia, e-mail: abl-2010@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0943-6807,
I.I. Bashmashnikov¹, Student, e-mail: bash@sfedu.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0009-5440-2850,
G.Z. Turmetova, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Lecturer, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, Kazakhstan, e-mail: gulmira.turmetova@ayu.edu.kz, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7754-3829,
¹ Gelendzhik Branch of Southern Federal University, Gelendzhik, Russia.

G.Z. Turmetova, e-mail: gulmira.turmetova@ayu.edu.kz.

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