INVESTIGATION OF NEW NON-EXPLOSIVE DEMOLITION AGENT FOR USE AT UNDERGROUND MINING OF HARD ORES

The use of non-explosive demolition compounds has been extended within recent years to mining of building materials, as well as for the demolition of buildings and concrete structures in urban conditions. This environmentally friendly method has not been used in action for underground mining. The paper presents the outcomes of the research aimed at the elaboration of a new technology for underground mining of hard ores based on the use of demolition method as an alternative to the explosive one. A new compound of a non-explosive demolition agent, ensuring the pressure of 120-130 MPa on tunnel walls, has been devised. Technological properties of a new agent have been selected by taking into account specific conditions of their application in underground openings. Flow charts of mechanized mining of hard ores with the use of a non-explosive agent have been developed and tested.