Historical background

February, 24, 2007. the Institute of Mining, one of the leading and oldest research and scientific institutes in the field of mining engineering, celebrates its 45th anniversary.

The Institute is the only Ural academic establishment, which performs the wide range of investigations of the problems of exploration and preserving the mineral resources/ subsurface, mining subsurface studies, rock systemology, geomechanics, geotechnology, geotechnic and mineral dressing.

The Institute’s members have the highest qualifications. The Institute is provided with the latest modern equipment. postgraduate centre, doctorate, specialized Council of defending doctor’s and master’s dissertations operate in the Institute.

Within the Institute, scientific schools of open-cast transport, rock mechanics and the Ural centre of geomechanic researches of the nature of manmade disasters are successfully operating.

In the intervening years the Institute has:

• worked out fundamentally new technologies and facilities of exploiting deep-seated deposits of mineral raw materials;
• prepared scientific basis and methods of engineering new and reconstructing old operating mining enterprises;
• worked out technologies and facilities of mined-land reclamation and normalization of open pit atmosphere;
• created new means of diagnosing geodynamical activity of land using modern aerospace geodesy facilities and satellite navigation systems, aimed at enhancing security of compound industrial objects of subsurface resource management.

At the present day, the Institute is able to solve the most difficult academic and applied problems in exploring and exploiting deep-seated deposits of mineral raw materials with difficult mining-and-geological bedding conditions.

1962 - according to the order of Council of Ministers of RSFSR, mining and geology Institute of Ural Branch of RAS was divided into Institute of Mining Engineering and Institute of Geology. Institute of Mining Engineering was headed by professor M.V. Vasiljev, Doctor of Engineering, for more than 22 years.

1963 - as a result of reforms, conducted in the country, the Institute, as many other institutes, was excluded out of USSR Academy of Sciences and given into govern of State USSR Committee of Black and Base Metallurgy.

1965 - according to the Decree of USSR Council of Ministers, the Institute was reestablished to black Metallurgy committee of USSR.

1993 - after restructurization of Black Metallurgy Committee of USSR, the Institute was given into govern of Metallurgy Committee of Russian Federation.

1985 - 1992 - the Institute was headed by A.A. Kotyashev, Candidate of Science.

1992 - 1995 - A.D. Sashourin, Candidate of Sc, accomplished the management of the Institute. 

1994 - according to the decree of Presidium of Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute is incorporated into the Ural Branch of RAS.

1995 - 2006 - the institute was managed by corresponding member of RAS V.L. Yakovlev.

2006 - professor S.V. Kornilkov, Doctor of Engineering, is elected to be the Director of the Institute.

Deputy director on science Glebov Andrey Valerjevich, Candidate of Sc (Engineering)	Academic secretary of the Institute Panzhin Andrey Alexeevich, Candidate of Sc (Engineering)	Deputy director on generic issues Kienko Victor Borisovich,

L.D. Shevjakov member of academy (1889 - 1963)

L.N. Bykov Doctor of Engineering, professor (1895 - 1973)

K.M. Charkviani corresponding member of USSR Academy of Sciences (1881 - 1960)

I.N. Sidorov Candidate of Science (1903 - 1980)

Considering the development of national economy to be very important in Urals, presidium of USSR Academy of Sciences found it necessary to enforce the work of Ural Branch of USSR AS and to create, along with number of other institutions, Mining and Geological Institute (resolution of USSR AS Presidium, 16 June 1939, #19). In the system of Ural branch of USSR Academy of Sciences a new scientific direction appeared, which was connected with geological and mining-and-technical researches. Institute of Mining and Geology incorporated three sectors: geological, geophysical and mining. The post of its director was taken by prominent scientist, mining engineer, member of academy,  L.D. Shevjakov, the academic secretary was V.K. Buchnev. The main area of focus of mining sector (headed by professor L.N. Bykov, Doctor of Engineering) was determined as improving systems of working mineral deposits, fighting fires at copper-sulphide  mines and rock pressure. By end of 1939 the Institute of Mining and Geology had 26 members, of which: mining sector – 11, geological – 10, geophysical – 3.

The Institute’s activity during Great Patriotic War was deeply intertwined with the activity of USSR Academy of Sciences, because in 1941 many academic institutions were evacuated to Sverdlovsk, including Presidium of  USSR Academy of Sciences.

In 1941, on the initiative of head of USSR Academy of Sciences V.L. Komarov, Commitee on mobilization of Ural resources for the needs of defending the country was established. The Institute took an active part in work of the committee. Mining scientists (L.D. Shevjakov, A.A. Skochinskij, L.N. Bykov, K.M. Charkviani, M.I. Agoshkov, I.N. Sidorov and others) launched great work on searching reserves for increasing the output of important mineralsin mines and open pits of Ural, Altai, Gornaja Shorija and Kazakhstan.

The postwar period is characterized by growth  of mining sector in amount and widening of range of its investigations. In 1944 L.E. Zubrilov joined mining sector, in 1945 – K.V. Kochnev, in 1947 – B.V. Faddeev, in 1949 – G.G. Fedorova. In1951-1956 A.V. Paducheva, B.M. Shulmin, Y.M. Puchkov, S.S. Filatov, I.S. Kuklin; in 1957-1960 – M.V. Vasiljev, P.S. Danchev, K.M. Shtukaturov, G.N. Khruschev, M.L. Rudakov, V.A. Shhelkanov, Y.I. Belyakov, E.P. Doronenko, V.P. Vetluzhskih, V.M. Alenichev, A.D. Sashourin, A.A. Smirnov, V.G. Zoteev, V.S. Volotkovskyi and others were accepted in mining sector.

During this period, the mining sector consisted of two laboratories: underground mining of coal deposits (headed by I.N. Sidorov) and underground mining of ore deposits (headed by K.M. Charkviani). In the middle of 1950th team of ventilation and team of surface mining and conveyer transport (B.V. Faddeev) were working along. On their ground, in 1957, under the management of M.V. Vasiljev, laboratory of surface mining was established. In 1959 laboratories of rock pressure and rigidity of edge of open-pit mine (M.L. Rudakov), blasting operations (P.S. Danchev), in 1960 – laboratory of mining aerology (K.V.Kochnev) were established.

In 1958, M.V. Vasiljev was appointed deputy chairman of Ural Branch of Presidium of Academy of Sciences, and in1959 he was combining this work with the post of head of mining sector at Institute of Mining and Geology.

In connection with rapid development of surface mining of commercial minerals, the laboratory of surface mining, along with technological problems, launched researches on problems of open-cut transport. at the same time, the nature was explored and methods of fighting gas emissions at underground mining of coal in Kizel basin and potassium salts of Verkhnekamskoye deposit were developed. Investigations of air change in open pit were started, first in the global practice. The discovered patterns allowed to elaborate recommendations on improvement and enhancement of atmosphere in open pits for mining enterprises.

The increase in amount and sophistication of conducted researches led to necessity of restructuring the Institute of Mining and Geology of Ural Branch of USSR Academy of Sciences. According to order of Council of Ministers of RSFSR #579 d/d 24, February, 1962, the Institute of Mining and Geology was divided into the Institute of Mining Engineering and Institute of Geology. M.V. Vasiljev was appointed director of the Institute of Mining Enginering, V.A. Shhelkanov – academic secretary.

Together with structural changes, scientific researches in the field of mining were growing and cadre was expanding. In the period of 1961-1964 V.L. Yakovlev, A.V. Zubkov, V.P. Smirnov, S.L. Fesenko, A.N. Shilin, N.P. Vloh, N.L. Staheev, V.M. Senuk, O.V. Slavikovskij, R.I. Suhov, A.I. Pavlov, Y.I. Zhernakov, A.P. Derjagin, V.K. Vasiljev, M.M. Konorev and others joined the Institute. Staff body, formed in 1950th, represents the scientific skeleton of the Institute, and has laid the foundation for its long-time successful activity.

K.V. Kochnev Doctor of Engineering, prof(1893 - 1977)

M.L. Rudakov Doctor of Engineering, prof(1912 - 1964)

M.V. Vasiljev Doctor of Engineering, prof(1903 - 1986)

V.A. Shchelkanov Doctor of Engineering, prof(1929 - 2004)

B.V. Faddeev Doctor of Engineering, prof (1910 - 1985)

A.N. Shilin Doctor of Engineering, prof (1911 - 1987)

V.P. Smirnov Doctor of Engineering, prof (1940 - 2005)

S.L. Fesenko Doctor of Engineering (1936 - 2002)

In 1963, as a result of ongoing reforms of the time, the Institute of Mining Engineering, along with other scientific institutes, was removed from structure of USSR Academy of Sciences and imparted into subordinate of State Committee on Coordination, later – on ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, then, after its reorganization – into subordinate of Ministry of Iron and Steel Industry. By this time the institute had highly qualified academic body, considerable scientific capacity and wide experience of conducting researches in the field of mining – these factors made a solid basis for ensuing fast development under the guidance of Ministry of Iron and Steel Industry (MISI) of USSR.

Years 1963-1964 had seen creation of laboratories of: open-cut transport (M.V. Vasiljev), surface mining technologies (A.N. Shilin), drilling of wells (I.N. Sidorov), mechanization of mining works (B.V. Faddeev), excavation and stacking (V.S. Plygunov, E.P. Doronenko), mechanization of supportive processes (A.P. Derjagin), automatics and teleautomatic (V.P. Kruckov), ventilation of open pits (S.S. Filatov), combined working of a deposit (V.A. Shchelkanov), economics (Y.I. Zhernakov).

Considerable help in the Institute’s development was  given by administrative apparatus of MISI USSR, headed by P.E. Sledzjuk. The Institute of Mining Engineering of USSR Ministry of Iron and Steel  Industry (IME USSR MISI) became the central, and as a lead executed functions of premiere in the branch in scientific directions: technology and complex mechanization of surface mining of iron and chrome ores, open-cut transport; technology and mechanization of drilling and blasting operations, protection of land resources, natural features and constructions; mined-land reclamation, electric equipment and power supply of open pits. Conducting a large amount of independent investigations, the institute simultaneously coordinated investigations of research institutes, engineering companies of mining profile of MISI USSR, many universities, institutes of Academy of Sciences of USSR and other offices.

The Institute, being the central and the lead in its branch, had to complete the following tasks:

1. improving of existing and searching for new, more advanced, technologies of surface and underground mining of commercial minerals at achieved and deeper levels and also under conditions of newly discovered deposits.
2. improving and further development of complex mechanization and automatisation of industrial processes in mining industry.
3. investigating the patterns of breaking ores, coals and rocks in course of mining commercial minerals on the basis for latest achievements in modern physics, chemistry, mechanics.
4. managing rock pressure and rock movement.
5. providing normal sanitary-hygienic  labour conditions of miners in gas, temperature and dust characteristics of mines and deposits.

The whole amount of the Institute’s staff during subordinacy to MISI USSR reached 480 people, including 260 scientific workers, 11 of them doctors and 90 – candidates.

Scientific schools. In the process of solving branch problems, scientific schools had formed themselves in the Institute: of open-cut transport, founded by M.V. Vasiljev and V.L. Yakovlev, Ural school of geomechanics, founded by N.P. Vloh  and A.D. Sashourin, school of quality control of ores, founded by P.P. Bastan.

The school of open-cut transport, widely known and recognized not only in the sphere of science, but also at mining enterprises in our country and abroad, was created and developed at the first stage by M.V. Vasiljev. Later it was headed by V.L. Yakovlev. Active organizers and participants of investigations in the field of open-cut transport were B.V. Faddeev, A.N. Shilin, A.N. Subbotin, E.P. Doronenko, B.V. Yakovenko, V.S. Volotkovskij, S.L. Fesenko, V.P. Smirnov, A.A. Kudrjavcev, Y.I. Lell, E.S. Kosnarev, G.D. Karmaev, V.B. Demkin, A.A. Kotyashev, A.P. Tulkin, P.I. Tarasov, Z.A. Ajurzanajn and others.

The main activity of the school is aimed at investigating problems of automobile transport; creating cyclical-and-continuous method of working rocky heads and hard rocks, theoretical justification for new generations of more productive mining transport equipment; defining patterns of forming of open pit area in mutual connection with development of schemes of transport communications.

In community with academic and branch research institutes, universities, engineering companies and machine building organizations, the Institute had created advanced and highly efficient cyclical-and-continuous method for surface mining of raw materials.

17 ore and fluxing open pits in the country were recommended to converse into cyclical-and-continuous method. Cyclical-and-continuous method and equipment were tested at experimental industrial points, constructed on in the open pits of Turgojakskoe Mining Group, Gaiskij, Kachkanarskij and Central Ore-mining and dressing plants. A range of works were done to justify characteristics and conditions of applying cyclical-and-continuous method at open pits of Kostomukshskij ore-mining and dressing plant, Karagajskij open pit of “Magnesit” complex plant, Kacharskij open pit.

For supplying cyclical-and-continuous method with new equipment, the Institute, in collaboration with machine-building organizations, has created self-propelled crushing units, with output 300-1000 ton/hour (SPC-1000, SPCU-3), uphill shakers, spreaders, and supporting equipment for conveyors. Together with engineering institutes Institute of Projecting Ore Enterprises and Institute of Projecting Ore Enterprises (South department) basis requirements for creating cyclical-and-continuous complexes with output 2000 and 4000 m3/hour were developed.

The Institute, in collaboration with Research Institute of Rubber Industry, has created conveyor belts on the basis for material MK-499/120, meant for transporting hard rocks, and comparable in strength to the best foreign samples. The developed belts are now produced by Ekaterinburg Plant of Mechanical Rubber Goods.(B.V. Faddeev, V.S. Volotkovskij).

Considerable merit in developing and implementation of cyclical-and-continuous method at open pits of MISI USSR belongs to M.V. Vasiljev, A.N. Shilin, B.V. Faddeev and many other scientists of the Institute. For participation in developing and industrial exploration of new progressive cyclical-and-continuous method, M.V. Vasiljev was awarded the USSR State Prize in 1984.

The institute has also become a country’s recognized scientific centre in investigating problems of automobile transport in open pits. Almost all new models of soviet and foreign dump trucks with carrying capacity 30-180 tons were tested with participation of its members at a number of big enterprises in the country: Sokolovsko-Sarbajskij ore-mining and dressing plant, Inguletskij Ore-Mining and Dressing Plant, Donskoj Ore-Mining and Dressing Plant, Severhyj Ore-Mining and Dressing Plant, Bashkirsij Copper-Sulphide Plant (BMSK), Gaiskij ore-mining and dressing plant, “Pechenganikel” complex plant, Priozerskij and Zaslavskij complex plants. Main models of perspective open-pit dump trucks BelAZ-7519(110 tons) and BelAZ -7521(180 tons) in development were brought to technical-and-economic standards and realized in series-production.

Dump truck BelAZ-7521

Works of branch and inter-branch significance were completed, which define efficient conditions and operating conditions for dump trucks with carrying capacity 27-180 tons as in independent, main usage, so in complex transport schemes (M.V. Vasiljev, V.P. Smirnov, V.L. Yakovlev). analogous works were accomplished for foreign dump trucks M-120 (108 tons) by "Unit RIG" (USA), 120V (108 tons) by "Vabko" (USA), HD-1200 (120 tons) by "Komatsu"(Japan) and others.

For the first time the patterns of adhesion of automobile wheels with pavement surfacing of open pit automobile roads were experimentally defined; standard materials were created for fuel and lubricants consumption, for output norms of rock mass transporting and other, which grasp almost entire range of operating conditions of open pit transport.

In 60th-70th the Institute had solved a set of problems, connected with implementing down grade of 60 % in open pits, with conducting theoretical and experimental investigations in creating new brake equipment, providing engineering feasibility of increased incline in open pits. Scientific developments were made for constructing special open pit track maintaining equipment. On the basis for developed scientific-and-technologic standards track machine PRM-3 is produced in series since 1976. on the database of exploiting these machines, terms of references and technical propositions for constructing multifunctional track maintaining machine PRM-4 were made. The machine has successfully passed tests and was consigned for series-production. (A.P. Derjagin, B.K. Putyatin).

Track maintaining machine PRM-3

The most significant results in problems of optimization of transport systems include creating methodic of choosing type of transport, which was approved by MISI USSR. On its basis rational process schemes of transport were set in open pits of Olenegorskoe, Severnoe, Krivorozhskoe, Stoilenskoe, Korshunovskoe, Kachkanarskoe, Dneprovskoe ore-mining and dressing iron and steel industry plants, “Uralasbest” complex plant, a number of open pits in coal industry and non-ferrous metallurgy. Under development there is a Theory of systematic forming of transport systems in deep ore open pits, including methods of optimization of characteristics of transport schemes, taking into account mining-and-technical condition, changing in the process of exploitation.

N.P. Vlokh Doctor of Engineering, prof. (1924 - 1999)

The school of geomechanics, headed by N.P. Vlokh, later A.D. Sashourin, made invaluable contribution in development of geomechanics of rocks. methods of investigating strained state of rock mass, created in the Institute, already at the initial state had found wide application in a number of institutes and organizations in USSR. In particular, in 1972-1981 members of the Institute by the invitation of the institute “Hydroproject” held investigations on defining stress changes in bedrock of the world’s highest curved dam at Inguri Hydro-electric power station (Western Georgia).

With deep mining works passing on deeper horizons, the problem of preventing rock bumps sharpened, and in 1975 the Institute joined the solving of these problem at all iron-ore mines of Ural and Siberia. Timely forecast and measures, preventing rock-bump hazards, designed on geomechanical basis, allowed to cut the material loss and breakdown rate at mines to minimum.
 
One of the important problems for mines in 1960th-1970th was backfilling during extraction of massive ore bodies. Created in IME MISI USSR, the method of natural controllable caving of backs allowed mines to abandon forced extraction of goaf, provided the safety of mining works and brought considerable economic result.

Spread of the methodology of investigating rock pressure on rock movement processes in underground and surface mining, in combination with large volumes of instrumental measurement of shifts at ore deposits allowed to find out correlation between characteristics of deformation of rock mass in shift trough and edges of open-pit mines with initial strained state. The patterns found composed basis for essentially new concept and theory of movement process, usage of which provided a wide implementation of progressive solutions about construction protection and optimization of characteristics of  edges of open-pit mines at mines in Ural and Kazakhstan, rational subsurface use through new completion of part of ore reserves of protective pillars, distribution of overburden in caving zones.

Field-proven theoretical assumptions were used in Rules of protecting constructions and natural objects against harmful effect of underground working at ferrous metal ore deposits in Ural and Kazakhstan, acting as standard document.

A new approach to creating geomechanical model of rock mass mined area required new means of measurement and techniques of assessing stressed state. Instead of minor bases of measuring stress, sized from several centimeters to first tens of meter, new method of measuring stress was created, applied at large bases, reaching 1.5 – 2 kilometers. This method was used to measure stress at 6 deposits, and works are conducted to interpret experimental data on 25-30 deposits, which make a serious contribution in learning the stressed condition of rock mass in Ural region and Earth’s upper crust on the whole.

As a result of investigation, made under guidance of V.G. Zoteev, theoretical justification was given to mechanism of hard rock slopes’ deformation in deep and ultradeep open pits; analytical solution of space problem of stability of slope with two and three surfaces of loosening was retrieved; methodic of calculating unloading area’s characteristics in rock mass, surrounding borrow cut; the patterns of creeping of dump sub-panels were defined; methodic of choosing technology and overburden dumping modes was developed. Results of researches were implemented at many enterprises in our country and neighbouring countries: “Korshunovskij More mining and Dressing Plant” JSC, “Kachkanarskij Ore-Mining and Dressing Plant “Vanadium” JSC, “Orenburgskije Mineraly” JSC, “Uralasbest” JSC, “Olenegorskij Ore-mining and Dressing Plant” JSC, “Kovdorskij Ore-Mining and Dressing Plant” JSC, “Sokolovsko-Sarbayskoe State Industrial Association” SC and others.

The school of geomechanics’  scientific achievements depended mostly on contribution of individual scientists To such scientists belong N.P. Vloh, A.D. Sashourin, A.V. Zubkov, V.G. Zoteev, V.E. Bolikov, Y.P. Shupletsov, Y.I. Lipin, O.V. Zoteev, V.P. Lelikov, S.M. Ushkov, Y.G. Feklistov, V.I. Doroshenko and others. For participation in creating scientific basis, developing and implementing measures of preventing and fighting landslide phenomena in sections and open pits, V.G. Zoteev was awarded State Prize of USSR in 1982, and for participation in creating and implementing methods of management rock pressure during mining ore deposits N.P. Vloh was awarded State Prize of USSR in 1989.

P.P. Bastan Doctor of Engineering, prof (1922 - 2001)

Scientific school of ore quality management and rational subsurface use had formed in late 1960th under guidance of P.P. Bastan. The main direction of scientific investigations in this field was connected with analyses of raw materials base of mining enterprises in USSR non-ferrous metal industry, solution of theoretical problems of blending ore before dressing, development of standard documents and procedures on questions of completeness and quality of extraction of non-ferrous metals ores reserves.

On the basis for theoretical investigations of the school, technological schemes of ore dressing at open pits were developed, including specialized stores, quality control stations, screening transfer points, schemes of forming and unloading of stores, means of operation monitoring and raw materials quality management in production lines.

The school has first obtained scientific results, investigating process of segregating of ore  material during overburden dump, blending granular material of different particle-size distribution (A.V. Galjanov, Y.V. Laptev).

L.E. Zubrilov Doctor of Engineering, prof (1906 - 2000)

Researches on underground mining of deposits were conducted under guidance of K.M. Charkviani, L.E. Zubrilov, B.M. Shulmin, O.V. Slavikovskij. Under the leadership of V.A. Shhelkanov a new scientific direction was created – surface-and-underground mining method. A new scientific method of system assessment of deposits with optimization of characteristics of surface and underground mining works within one enterprise was created.

The main paths of researches are directed at improving and creating new systems of mining and opening of deposits through application of main loading and transportation levels and complex mechanization of mining operations, including output, delivery and transportation of ore using new types of mining machines.

The results of the investigations were realized in projects of building Severopeschanskaya, Estjuninskaya, Magnesitovaya mines, mines of Donskoj Ore-mining and Dressing plant, Sokolovskij underground mine and deep levels .

For participation in researching and justifying directions of exploration of mineral raw materials base and technical re-equipping of underground mines and open pits, L.E. Zubrilov and M.V. Vasiljev were awarded the Prize of Soviet of Ministers of USSR in 1982.

In 1986, the laboratory of support setting of mine workings and stowing materials was founded.  Under guidance of V.E. Bolikov, the laboratory had worked out the scientific basis and instructions in choosing types and characteristics of support of galleries and chambered workings for mines of Ural-Kazakhstan region; a new approach to choosing point of shaft emplacement and support under difficult mining-and-geological conditions was developed; scientifically justified approach to providing stability of galleries and chambered workings was developed. These Developments were implemented at iron ore and chromite mines of Ural and Kazakhstan, at enterprises of Ministry of Average Machine-building. a considerable contribution was made by the laboratory at initial stage of building Sverdlovsk Metro service in construction of main line tunnels and building stations under difficult mining-and-geological conditions.

The institute had completed a large complex of works in improving existing technology of surface mining of iron ores, opening, mining methods, borders and regulations of mining operations for majority of projected and working enterprises, including Ore-mining and Dressing Plants Sokolovsko-Sarbayskiy, Kachkanarskij, Korshunovskiy, Donskoj, Olenegorskij, Kovdorskij, Kostomukshskij, Lebedinskij and Poltavskij (A.F. Tkachev, G.G. Sakantsev). Along with it, a number of works, significant for the branch, were accomplished by order of MISI, particularly development of Decree and order of accounting technical indexes and composing year program of ore-mining and dressing plants, which found wide use in practice of planning and organization of mining works at enterprises in the branch.

Drill-rig TRD-250MN

The institute achieved substantial successes in solving problems of hole-drilling (N.I. Sidorov, R.I. Sukhov, G.G. Fedorova, L.V. Mozhaev and others).

Theoretical and experimental investigations, analyses of drilling technique and technology at Russian and foreign enterprises were accomplished, technical-and-economical conditions were worked out, together with technical enquiry for constructing new types of highly productive drill-rigs of roller bit, percussive-rotary, flame-jet, joint, thermal-mechanical, blast  hole drilling, and also new types of pneumatic impact tools, roller-bits, drilling-bits of high persistence and cushion subs by State Project and Research Institute of Ore-Dressing, Research and Project Institute of Mining and Dressing Machinery Manufacturing, All-Union Research and Project Institute of Mining Machinery Manufacturing. creating, industrial test, series-production and implementing tools TRD-250MN (since 1980 TRD-250 MNA-32), TRD-320, TTMD-2S, TRD-250K, TRD-200, TRD-190/260/60, SBU-125HL, “URAL-64”, SBU-125 resulted in technical re-equipment of open pits. Experimental and industrial test of drill-rigs was performed by the Institute’s members at ore-mining enterprises according to specially developed methodics in Ural (Kachkanarskij Ore-dressing and Mining Plant, Bakalskoe Mining Group), Krivbass (Severnij, Novo-Krivorozhskij Ore-Mining and Dressing plants), at Lebedinskij, Olenegorskij, Sokolovsko-Sarbaiskij, Korshunovskij and other ore-mining and dressing plants. Drill-rig TRD-320, all-purpose drill-rig TRD-190/250-60 for drilling deep holes in smooth-wall blasting and preliminary kerf-formation were tested.

V.M. Senuk Doctor of Engineering, prof (1927 - 1994)

S.S. Filatov Doctor of Engineering, prof (1932 - 1989)

In the field of rocks breaking (P.S. Danchev, I.S. Kuklin, G.N. Khruschshev, V.M. Senuk, Y.M. Puchkov, V.P. Vetluzhskih, A.S. Matorin, V.G. Shemenev, V.G. Kuznetsov, D.S. Shakhmatov and others), investigations were conducted to improve existing and search for new, more effective means of breaking rock mass by blasting with the aim of deriving mined rock of required particle-size distribution, allowing to increase significantly the output of mining-and-transport equipment. A special attention was paid to hard-shot grounds, representing the biggest difficulty for crushing.

As a result of experimental and theoretical investigations, technology of blasting hard-rocks was created, based on the principle of independent work of blasting charges.

Since 1968 the Institute leads intensive researches of new blasting agents’ efficiency, including granular and slurry explosives, researches of physic and explosive properties of new blasting agents and developing recommendations on their improving and implementing in industry.

Formula and technology of preparation slurry explosives at mining enterprises was developed. The Following blasting agents were tested in open pits: grammonites 79/21, 82/18, granitol, carbatol  - and admission to permanent applying these BA was attained.

In collaboration with Research and Project Institute of Mining Machinery Manufacturing, test samples were developed and mix-pump engines  MZ-ZB-12, MZ-ZBV, MZV-10, MZG-10, MZ-4V were created, which were successfully  used at mining enterprises of Ural (Kachkanarskij Ore-mining and Dressing plant and Uralasbest) and Kazakhstan (Sokolovsko-Sarbajskij Ore-Mining and Dressing Plant).

Staff of laboratory of open pit ventilation under guidance of S.S. Filatov and M.M. Konorev had completed a huge volume of theoretical and experimental investigations in the field of open pit aerology and development efforts on construction tools for ventilating open pits. Several constructions of exit gas neitralizators, protected by certificates of authorship and patents, were developed and implemented at enterprises.

For providing induced ventilation of dead zones and open pits, in collaboration with Research and Project institute of Mining Machinery Manufacturing, different types of fan layouts on basis for aircraft lifting propellers and main rotors were developed, created and tested: AF-1A, AF-14, AF-21. series production of auxiliary fans AF-1A was mastered at Perm Mining Equipment Plant.

On the basis for powerful turboprop engines NK-12MV, turbofans-irrigators NK-12KV-1M were constructed. With the use of these turbofans, systems of all-season dust- and gas suppression in atmosphere of Tselinnij and Priagrunskij complex plants. Creation of these systems allowed to solve important scientific-and-technical problem: normalization of composition of atmosphere in open pits at negative temperature.

Since 1975, under the leadership of E.P. Doronenko and G.M. Chajkina, the investigations on mined-land biological reclamation and ecologic aspects of land-use at mining enterprises are being conducted. The institute had become coordinating centre for scientific researches in reclamation, which are accomplished by the institutes of the branch. The assessment of land use and land reclamation in the branch was conducted annually, for this purpose methodological instructive regulations on land inventory and record of its use and reclamation were compiled and approved by MISI USSR, and were constantly renewed (1977. 1983, 1984, 1988).

E.P. Doronenko Candidate of Sc (1932 - 1986)

A significant work, completed with the participation of leading specialists of branch-wise institutes, presents itself as Methodological instructive regulations on development of projects of mined-land reclamation at ore-mining enterprises of MISI USSR, approved by the ministry in 1985. during the same period two state standards were developed and approved.

On requests of enterprises, the institute created method of reclamation of dust-forming surfaces of tailing dumps, based on the principle of minimum earthing under conditions of top soil deficit (or absence).

In 1985 E.P. Doronenko was honoured as laureate of USSR Council Of Ministers’ prize for development and implementation of highly efficient methods and process schemes of mined-land reclamation.

Researches at laboratory of ore-mining industry economics were directed at improving planning and  intra-plant cost accounting. As a result of completed investigations, directions of improvement of self-supporting methods of management at mining enterprises were defined. Optimum power of ore-mining enterprises in system of iron ore dynamic balance of Ural-Kazakhstan region was justified. In different years Y.I. Zhernakov, A.I. Ustiantsev, A.A. Krenz, N.V. Martynov (heads), N.K. Kobylnikova, L.F. Madzhula, V.K. Vasiljev worked at the laboratory.

The laboratory of organization and management (N.L. Stakheev – head of the laboratory, V.L. Kazakova, N.V. Martynov, A.I. Isakov) conducted important investigations In field of improving management of ore-mining industry. The grounds of planning industrial processes at open pits were created and applied in branch procedure manuals on organization enterprise’s acting on weekly and daily time schedule.

The laboratory developed a unified system of lost time record and annual output ratio of mining transport equipment in branch open pits; criteria for assessing size and main production and function departments of ore-mining and dressing plants were offered; characteristics for assessment of management economical efficiency were recommended; the sequence of analyses of existing management structures and choosing measures for their improving was stated. The suggestions on improvement of management structures were realized in branch solutions on Mikhailovskiy, Lebedinskiy, Sokolovsko-Sarbayskiy, Kachkanarskij and other ore-mining and dressing plants.

A considerable amount of investigations was accomplished by the laboratory on privatization of complex plant “Uralasbest”, ore-mining and dressing plants Kachkanarskij and Korshunovskiy, and their transformation into stock companies. Packages of documents, designed for converting plants into joint-stock companies, received approval of territorial Property Management Committees and were approved by State Propert Committee of RF.

Investigations of laboratory of analyses and forecasting development of mining industry were aimed at creating and compilation of long-term forecast of development of ore-mining industry. The results of conducted investigations on forecasting ore-mining production promoted accomplishment of measures, purposed to renew and improve existing technique and technology, and also at labour and production management. “Code of indexes of mining enterprises of metallurgic industry work” was annually compiled at the laboratory. K.M. Shtukaturov, A.V. Soroka (heads of laboratory), V.B. Demkin, I.S. Kuklin and others worked successfully in the laboratory.

Since august, 1970, the laboratory of mathematical support and computing techniques was organized (head of the laboratory – V.M. Alenichev). The laboratory conducted works on creating mathematic support, software and computer programs for solving mining technical problems, research and widening the use of mathematic methods in mining engineering. The laboratory created informational and mathematical support for subsystem of operative planning( weekly-and-daily, daily) of mining operations at open pits, extracting several technological types of ore and using different kinds of transport; created  complex of programs for random-statistical processing experimental evidence, including economic and technological.

During the period of subordinacy to MISI USSR, the Institute was successively headed by: professor M.V. Vasiljev, Doctor of Engineering (1962 – 1985), who made a big contribution to development of the Institute and establishing its prestige in scientific world; A.A. Kotyashev, Candidate of Science (Engineering) (1985-1992); A.D.Sashourin, Candidate of Science (Engineering) (1992-1995), who put a lot of strength and energy for returning the Institute into structure of Russian Academy of Sciences. Deputy directors through the whole history of the Institute were: M.L. Rudakov, V.A. Shhelkanov, Y.I. Zhernakov, V.A. Shestakov, A.K. Ryabov, K.M. Shtukaturov, I.S. Kuklin, E.P. Doronenko, A.S. Matorin, A.D. Sashourin, V.P. Lelikov, N.L. Staheev, V.E. Bolikov, A.V. Zubkov. as academic secretaries worked: V.A. Shhelkanov, K.M. Shtukaturov, A.F. Tkachev, N.L. Staheev, A.D. Sashourin, B.G. Kienko, A.A. Kotyashev, V.P. Lelikov, G.I. Voroshilin, G.G. Sakantsev.

The results of the Institute’s scientific researches were realized at more than 40 enterprises of MISI USSR, situated in north-west and central Russia, in Urals, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Siberia. The most close contacts were established between Kachkanarskij, Sokolovsko-Sarbaiskij, Korshunovskij, Mikhailovskij, Olenegorskij, Kovdorskij, Donskoj, Vysokogorskij, Bakalskij and other mining-and-dressing complex plants and mining groups.

The Institute’s developments were widely used by engineering companies and development laboratories. The Institute kept creative contacts with more than 20 educational, research, design institutes. According to results of investigations, accomplished before 1995, more than 50 monographs, 3500 articles were published, including publications in foreign pres and magazines; 93 collections of scientific papers and reports of six All-Soviet Union conferences and more than 110 items of instructional and methodological materials were printed out;  67 developments were awarded 97 medals of USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements; 662 certificates of authorship and patents were received, and 95 inventions were implemented.

Many institute workers were awarded medals and orders for contribution in development of mining science and industry, including Order of Lenin (I.N. Sidorov), Order of the Red Banner of Labour (M.V. Vasiljev, L.E. Zubrilov, I.S. Kuklin), the Order of Honour Pin (N.P. Vloh, M.V. Vasiljev), Order of Friendship (V.L. Yakovlev).

The process of reorganization in the country had led to collapse of sectoral science. Central funding stopped. Mining enterprises, suffering privatization, cut the production volumes sharply and turned out to be bankrupt. The institute had almost no means of sustenance. During this hard period A.D. Sashourin was appointed director of the Institute. New directorate (V.P. Lelikov, N.L. Staheev, V.E. Bolikov, G.G. Sakantsev), with an active participation of Council of Work Collective, started to search ways of surviving for the institute. The problem had two solutions: the first was privatization, the second – reversion to Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences . Taking into account the negative experience of branch-wise institutes, already privatized, the first option had to be rejected. According to the poll, it was decided to realize the second option.

The Sverdlovsk Region Administration welcomed conversion of the Institute to Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, having directed a petition to the Metallurgy Committee and Russian Federation Government.

Chairman of presidium of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (UB of RAS), member of the academy of sciences, G.A. Mesyats and his deputy, member of academy of sciences, V.A. Koroteev supported the institute’s appeal without hesitations,  guided by expediency of having fully specialized institute of Mining Engineering in the structure of UB of RAS. Supposition of accepting the Institute into the structure of Russian Academy of Sciences was met with approval by the President of the Academy, member of Academy of Science, Y.S. Osipov and academic secretary V.A. Zharikov, who, in spite of funding cuts, went to length of integration of the whole Institute into the Academy.

In 1994, by the order of Russian Federation Government, the Institute of Mining Engineering was again allotted in UB of RAS.

During the following 2-3 years the Institute had completely adapted in the system of the Academy, renewed and widened contractual links with many mining enterprises, won a range of RFFI grants, received necessary licenses for right to conduct a wide range of applied researches.

In 1995 the Institute was headed by corresponding member of Russian Academy of Sciences V.L. Yakovlev.

All the further period of the Institute’s activity in the structure of RAS is characterized by strengthening of cadre, improvement of funding, development of experimental base, fitting with modern research equipment, increasing the quality of basic researches and expansion of implementing works. The unique centre of geomechanical investigations was created and is now developing With financial support from RFFI. Vigorous activity of schools of open pit transport and rock mechanics is continued. The Institute of Mining Engineering of UB of RAS subsidiary in Chelyabinsk is founded.

In the period 1993-2006 the cadre of Institute of Mining Engineering of UB of RAS has considerably improved, amount of Doctors of Science rose.

Almost all the specialists, who defended doctor’s and candidate’s dissertations, remained to work at the Institute. Due to this, the natural (age) loss of the Institute’s specialists was filled. Moreover, strengthening of highly qualified cadre was assisted by ceaseless improvement of the Institute’s financial position and growth in salaries.
The main source of funding for the Institute are means of state-finance system, allotted by Ural Branch of RAS, and means, received for conducting works on the basis for commercial contract. RFFI grants and RF President’s grants, allotted to support leading scientific schools, target RAS programs, Earth Science Department of RAS and inter-disciplinary projects of regional RAS departments were and remain to be essential sources of funding.
Considerable part of means was spent on developing the experimental base – up to 10% of all incoming finances, what led to a significant rise in quality of basic researches.

Development of cadre and technical base changed the nature of investigations, conducted at the Institute.

Since 1998 the Institute conducted basic researches in scientific directions: development of theoretical grounds for technologies in complex exploration of mineral resources; geomechanical and ecological basis for interaction between natural and manmade objects of geosystem.

Since 2001, by the order of Presidium of UD RAS, the scientific directions of the Institute were widened: developing theoretic grounds for exploration and complex exploiting mineral resources; creating basis for new technologies of mining deep-seated deposits; researching problems of geomechanic and rock breaking.

In the course of investigation on strategy of exploration and complex exploitation of mineral resources, the Institute has developed a conception of exploring Ural mineral resources. On this basis, the regional program “Ural Ore till 2005” was developed and approved by Sverdlovsk region administration in 1996, and “Conception of development of ore-mining enterprises of mining-metallurgy complex in Sverdlovsk region for the period to 2015” – in 2002.

Establishment of one whole dynamic system “mine-dressing fabric - metallurgical plant - waste-recycling workshop” was justified, within the framework of which theoretical and technical grounds were created for complex ore-dressing with precipitation of impurities as a standalone products. Complex of organizational and technological measures was developed, allowing to raise the efficiency of subsurface exploration through selective unloading of free-milling and complex ores and implementing combined schemes of raw materials recycling using hydrometallurgical processes, new reagents, synthesized by the Institute, of AIF type, electro pulse working up of raw materials, column flotators. According to the Institute’s developments, column flotator was produced at dressing fabric of Almatskij mining-metallurgical complex plant. Its implementation gave an opportunity to extract additional 200-600 tons of copper, 100-120 kilograms of gold, 400-500 kilograms of silver per year from current production tailings dumps, mainly on the account of recovery of fine grains of sulphides.

A large work is conducted in the Institute on quality control of iron ore raw materials at all stages of extraction and recycling.

In 2000, the Institute organized and held international Research and Practice conference “Modern methods and means of quality  control and dressing of iron ore materials at all stages of recycling”, and in 2001, in collaboration with the Ural research institute of metrology and “Sreduralmetprom” – international coordination conference “modern methods and means of quality control of iron ore raw materials’.

Conceptual framework of applying surface geotechnology with inner dumping at exploitation of deep-seated deposits of little length was created at the Institute. Method of defining edges of deep open pits with account for risk was developed. In the process of experimental and industrial investigations, it was proven, that the main factors, influencing disturbance of peripheral mass during millisecond-delay blasting, are  mass of charge in delay gear, direction of breaking and time of removal of bench share, falling at each peripheral charge. On the basis for this, sequence of priming was proposed, allowing to decrease mass disturbance by 5-8 times in comparison to traditional diagonal schemes. Technical and engineering solutions, aimed at efficient subsurface exploration, were prepared. Method, characteristics and economical efficiency of mining copper-sulphid were defined for deposits Jusinskoje and Barsuchij Log, Novoturinskoje touchstone deposit, Krutorozhskoje and Kvarkenskoje deposits of building materials. Efficient technology of production of benches in limit was realized at Kvarkenskiy open pit.

It was ascertained, that one of highly qualified technologies of underground mining under conditions of activity of tectonic forces is mining from bottom to top, which allows to eliminate or minimize the stress concentration in the mining region, raises stability of extraction chamber roof, excludes ore dilution by filling materials, provides possibility of placing burrow and dressing tailings in mined-out space.

Highly-efficient and safe technologies of underground extraction of commercial minerals under severe mining-and-geologic conditions were developed. Options for chamber mining with dry stowing of mined space under conditions of mine “Magnesitovaja” were offered. Project of mining ore body in 2 Uzelginskoje deposit was prepared. Recommendations were formulated on mining ledge Nizhnaja in Sibaiskoje deposit (using system of caving adjacent strata) and in underground mine at Gaiskoje copper-sulphide deposit.

The Institute pays much attention to raising efficiency of most labour-intensive technological processes of surface mining of mineral material deposits – drilling and blasting operations and rock mass transportation.

Patterns of rock breaking by combined shearing during roller drilling of blast holes were defined. Possibility of creating zones of advance rock loosening through redistribution of fracture load in face and their successive shearing was experimentally proven. industrial tests of roller bits, produced according to the projects of the Institute and possessing higher strength and drilling speed, were held At open pits of complex plant “Uralasbest”, Kachkanarskij ore-mining and dressing plant and India. In 2004, the Institute, in collaboration with Mining Group of Ural Mining and Metallurgic Company (UMMC), JSC “Uralburmash” held (with financial support from UMMC) international seminar “Main directions of creating and improving boring equipment and tools for borehole boring”. According to the decision, made by the participants of the seminar, Institute of Mining Engineering of UB of RAS is acknowledged to be the head organization with coordinating function in field of developing main directions of country’s boring tools and tools of up-to-date technical standard for hard rocks.

As a result of investigating properties of local rock masses, stable relations were found between mass property and its seismic characteristic. Inter-connection defined between mass’ resiliency to uniaxial compression and their bulk density and speed of p-wave in the mass. Patterns of explosion heat changes and volumetric energy of BA based on invert emissions were determined and new recipes of BA were developed.

A large amount of investigations was conducted, connected with development of simple and slurry BA, activation of blasthole charge, researching failure causes, developing and exploring technology of preparation and means of mechanization of blasthole loading with explosive composition. economic effect of replacing tolite with slurry explosives at Kachkanarskij Ore-mining and dressing plant comprises not less than 8 000 roubles per 1 ton. Implementation of the Institute’s recommendations at complex plant “Uralasbest” allowed to cut costs on recycling ammonium nitrate by 1.5 times, and in Orskoje open pit directory – to reduce amount of drilling operations by 20% and specific consumption of explosives by 10-15%.

Methodology of forming combined mode traction transport equipment was justified. Fields of efficient exploitation of existing open cut dump trucks with different unit power were distinguished. Optimal zones for applying special and purpose-designed vehicles – trolley cars, dump trucks with combined power plant, sinking complexes in combination with purpose-designed vehicles and excavation equipment were defined.

In 2003, in collaboration with production organization “BelAZ”, Ural State Mining University, JSC “Uralskiy turbomotornyi zavod”(Ural Plant of Turboengines), JSC “Uralhyproruda”, JSC “Pnevmostroymashina”, CJSC Scientific and Product Company “UVENK”, the Institute held international scientific-and-technical seminar “Saving energy on open pit automobile transport”. approximately 100 representatives of leading academic, branchwise and educational institutes, mining enterprises and plants, producing mining transport equipment from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, Mongolia and Russia took part in the work of the seminar.

The Institute achieved significant successes in field of geodynamic. On the basis for exploration of stressed state of rock mass at 25 Ural deposits and definition of deformation of earth’s crust between groups of astrostations (using satellite navigation systems) it was determined, that Ural is not the linear structure. Technologies of satellite geodesy were adapted to tasks of current problems, methods and technologies of monitoring shifts and deformations or rock mass were generated, among other things, modes of continuous monitoring existent movements. Cumulative experimental data on deformation processes in mining area allowed to create geomechanical model of lithosphere section containing manmade object.

Dependence of changing strength and deformational properties of hard rock masses on their structural specifications, mode of changing of stressed state was found. Deformation model of hard rock mass was essentially worked out. Geomechanic model of tectonic disturbance was theoretically justified, on the basis for this model its geometric and power classification was generated and identity of forming centres of natural and manmade earthquakes was proven. Criteria of forming centres of rocky and tectonic bumps (manmade earthquakes) during mining commercial minerals were generated.

It was found, that one of factors, determining appearance and development of centres of manmade disasters, is represented by deformation processes, taking place in the rock mass of   Earth’s upper crust in the zone of influence of mining industry.

Investigations on geomechanic supply of efficient and safe exploitation of deposits in Ural and some other mining regions of Russia and other CIS countries were accomplished:

- regulatory documents were prepared (“Instruction on support setting of mine workings and their face-ends at mines of Vysokogorskij ore-mining and dressing complex plant);
- geodynamic activity of rock mass and earth surface was explored (Donskoj ore-mining and dressing plant, Kazakhstan; building plots in Surgut; building plot of IV nuclear unit at Beloyarskaya APP; ore field of mine “Magnesitovaya” at Vysokogorskoje deposit);
- reasons of deformation of open pit’s edge at open pit ‘Glavnyj’ and pulp pump station 3 at Kachkanarskij ore-mining and dressing plant were found;
- control of development of movement process and state of objects under protection at mining ore reserves of protective pillar (mine ‘Ekspluatatsionnaya’, Vysokogorskij ore-mining and dressing plant);
- reasons for deformation of north edge of Korshunovskij open pit were found and measures on its stabilization were recommended;
- recommendations, agreed upon with research institute of geomechanics and mine surveying VNIMI, on safe conduction of extraction operations at mines of SC “Dalpolimetal”, rock-bump hazardous, were prepared.
 
Investigations, aimed at environmental engineering in commercial minerals mining, showed, that it is possible to decrease manmade influence on the environment in Ural mining areas not only through mined-land reclamation methods, but, under certain conditions, also due to unforced natural processes, efficiency of which is defined by geotechnology of selective mining and selective filling of potentially rich, and sometimes even of little avail, rocks within the bounds of recultivating layer.

For the first time, scientific basis for computing boundary layer of jet and fields of ventilation flows in surrounding atmosphere under open pit conditions. Digital models for defining characteristics of dust and gas cloud of potentially contaminated area. Optimal conditions of generating liquid and solid precipitations and spreading of air-vapor jets were established.

The Institute keeps close creative connections with many universities, academic and branchwise institutes of Russia, near and far abroad. Many Institute’s workers are lecturing at universities and colleges, supervise and review diploma and course projects, take part in activity of specialized councils on defense of doctor’s and candidate’s dissertations. The Institute organizes and holds international multi-profile conferences, seminars and other events, engaging a wide circle of specialists and organizations.

In1998, in collaboration with Ural State Mining-and-geology Academy, the Institute organized and held international conference “Problems of geotechnology and subsurface learning”(Melnikovskije readings).

In 2006, in collaboration with Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of UB of RAS and exhibition centre KOSK “Russia”, the Institute organized Ural Mining Industry Forum, which included three scientific and technical conferences: “Geological exploration, monitoring state of deposits and new technologies of mineral raw materials reserves assessment”; “Mining equipment and resource-saving technologies of extracting and recycling mineral raw materials”, “Problems in creating environmentally safe mining industry. Safe subsurface management and environment engineering.” Moreover, the forum included  panel discussion “Efficiency of investment projects and prepositions on exploring deposits of minerals at a current stage of society’s development”, business meeting “Systems of automated control of open pit transport”. also there was organized a inter-regional dedicated exhibition.

Solutions of conferences, seminars and sessions, held by the Institute, have a significant influence on direction of its investigations.

For high achievements in scientific work, a great number of the Institute’s workers are honoured with different awards. V.L. Yakolvlev is awarded with “Order of Honour” and “Yaroslav The Wise” order of II degree, he is the laureate of awards named after academician N.V. Melnikov and L.D. Shevjakov. Y.V. Volkov became a laureate of Russian Government Prize in science and technic, A.D. Sashourin was awarded the title “Honoured worker of science of Russian Federation”, V.E. Bolikov – title “Honoured builder of Russian Federation”.

A number of staff became laureates of Ural Mining Prize, Tatischev and V.I. Gennin Award, Efim and Miro Tcherepanovy award. Big number of members are awarded with pins “Honorary worker of fuel and energy sector” and “Honorary worker of coal industry” and other awards and honours.

In 2006 corresponding member of RAS Yakovlev V.L., according to age, is promoted to councilors of Russian Academy of Sciences. S.V. Kornilkov, Doctor of Engineering, is elected director of the Institute, A.V. Glebov, Candidate of Technic, is elected deputy scientific director, A.A. Panzhin –  academic secretary.

The number of members of the Institute by the beginning of 2006 comprises 174 persons, including 101 staff scientists. The number of scientists, having an academic degree, makes up 58%, among them: 1 corresponding member of RAS, 15 Doctors of Sc, 38 Candidates of Science.

Structurally, the Institute incorporates 10 laboratories and 10 scientific-support departments. Moreover, the Institute has subsidiary in Chelyabinsk.

The Institute is the only organizations in Ural, which conducts a wide range of investigations in problems of mining subsurface use, mining systemology, geotechnology and dressing of commercial minerals, in accordance with classification of mining sciences, created by RAS Research Council of RAS.