Mining Institute, Kola Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russia

I. E. Semenova, Head of Geomechanics Department and Laboratory for Rockburst Hazard Prediction at Ore Deposits, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, i.semenova@ksc.ru
V. V. Rybin, Head of Laboratory for Geomonitoring and Pitwall Slope Stability, Geomechanics Department, Doctor of Engineering Sciences
N. N. Kuznetsov, Head of Laboratory for Instrumental Research of Rocks in the Russian Arctic, Geomechanics Department, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

The article presents a brief history of the Geomechanics Dep artment, as well as its key research trends and results at the Mining Institute KSC RAS in the first half of the 2020s. The comprehensive study of patterns of change in the stress–strain behavior and in the physical and mechanical properties of the geological environment in mining systems during development of mineral deposits in high-stress hard rock mass has made it possible to develop ideas about the geomechanical features of rock mass during exploitation of deposits under conditions of a gravitational-tectonic stress field, including at great depths. The patterns of transformation of the initial and man-made stress–strain behavior of rock mass are determined based on the analysis of new stress measurement data and the results of retrospective analysis, current and predictive numerical modeling of the stress state considering the main exogenous and endogenous factors. The features of changes in the physical and mechanical properties of rocks under various loading conditions were identified, and an assessment of their proneness to dynamic failure in the laboratory conditions was carried out. New data on the dynamics of changes in the geomechanical condition of rock mass during open and underground mining were obtained and analyzed using the geodetic, radar, local control methods and seismicity control. A comprehensive monitoring system and a multi-level expert system for modeling the geomechanical condition of rock mass based on Sigma GT program developed at the Department are proposed. Based on in-situ and model data, measures have been developed to ensure safe and efficient mining of mineral resources in complex geomechanical conditions.

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