Fachartikel 02_2025

The article examines the global landscape of potash and polyhalite mining projects and highlights key trends in vertical shaft development over the past two decades. It examines the advantages of rapid shaft sinking, including faster project delivery, reduced capital expenditure and improved investment payback periods. Furthermore, we delve into innovative mechanized excavation techniques and case studies demonstrating their impact on ...

Shaft sinking has a long tradition in Germany. There are hundreds of examples of successful planning and execution both in Germany and abroad. Shafts built for different applications and under a variety of conditions differ technically from one another. Not only the dimensions and the design, but also and especially how the shafts are sunk. There are detailed regulations describing ...

The Konrad mine is the first final repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste in Germany approved under nuclear law. The approval process started in 1982 and the approval finally became legally binding in 2007. Due to the requirements of the approval situation and the requirement to build according to the current state of science and technology, there are special ...

The Shayan marble quarry in the Fars province (Iran) produces high-quality dimension stones, i. e. calcite marble blocks, but faces a significant challenge as about 90 % of its extracted material is discarded as waste because of intense tectonic-induced fracturing. Geochemically composed of almost pure calcium-carbonate with only traces of unwanted impurities (Al, As, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb and Si), this ...

The ongoing digitalization and automation of maintenance strategies has established itself as a central factor for optimizing operational processes in recent years. Particularly in technically demanding industries such as mining, efficient maintenance is essential to minimize unplanned downtime, high maintenance costs and safety risks (1). Predictive maintenance uses modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence ...

In addition to the utilisation of terrestrial deposits, maritime ore deposits can also be explored to secure the supply of raw materials, especially copper. Massive sulphide deposits in the deep sea can make a significant contribution (1), if there is a way to extract these ores economically and safely. The Deep Sea Sampling joint project of the Federal Ministry for ...

Artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more and more important in smart mining – like in the European Union. According to its Competition Compass of January 2025, one of the Commission’s priorities is to promote investment in future technologies such as AI. What legal framework is already in place, including for digitalization? What access and protection requirements exist for companies? Which possibilities ...

European and German industry and all commerce will never be self-sufficient in the supply of critical raw materials. We are and will remain dependent on imports from third countries. The EU is now more aware of the importance of international trade and the risks associated with its dependence on a limited number of dominant supplier countries. The EU has identified ...

Shafts are the bottleneck of a mine and are essential for smooth and uninterrupted operations. Therefore, their availability is of central importance. Due to the high stresses placed on shafts and their conveyor systems by high humidity, moisture and the transportation of abrasive mining products, the shaft guide rails in particular are subject to intensive wear. (1) According to the ...

The spatial understanding of complex 3D structures is essential in geosciences and mineral resources engineering, but traditional teaching methods are limited. Multi-user hologram tables enable an immersive learning environment through interactive and collaborative 3D visualisations that allow students to analyse geological structures and mineralogical samples together, annotate and intuitively grasp spatial contexts. The Holo-4-Edu research project investigates integrating 3D multi-user ...