Drilling challenges in the Mesopotamian Basin, Southern Iraq, are varied and include such issues as mud loss, bit damage, and differential sticking. This study aims to analyze these problems across the stratigraphic column in the study area. The results show that the MMD65R, EQH16R, and SF74R bits were successfully used for the 16” section, while the MSi616L bit was the most efficient for the 12¼” section. The MMD65R was suitable for the 8½” section, with the EQH12DR bit being used for the remaining parts of this section. The MMD54 bit showed excellent performance, achieving the highest rate of penetration (ROP) of 26.9 m/hr in well horizontal sections. Mud losses were most commonly observed at the base of the Dammam, Rus, Tanuma, Mishrif, Hartha, Shuaiba, and Zubair Formations. An appropriate drilling mud density is 1.28 sg is recommended for Zubair and Mishrif Formations. Additionally, tripping in/out operations must be conducted at controlled speed to prevent surging or swabbing the well. Potassium Chloride concentrations should be maintained between 3 to 5%. A 7” production liner must be run and properly seated to isolate the Mishrif and Zubair Formations, with overlap to prevent potential communication between lower water-bearing zones and shallow loss zones.

To date, considerable experience has been accumulated in solving the problems of forecasting and evaluation of minerals, primarily fossil fuels and ore minerals. Virtually any such forecast requires the use of computer modeling methods, which today have become an integral part of geological industry, operating with large data sets. But despite such significant successes in solving the problem of natural (mineral) resources forecasting using up-to-date information technologies, scientific and methodological approaches to modeling the subsoil of territories where commonly occurring mineral resources (COMR) are concentrated are still insufficiently developed. Due to insufficient funding, this type of resources is often overlooked, despite its important socio-economic significance for the development of local industry of various ranks in regions. COMR are also important for the territory of the Brest region of Belarus. The development of the mineral resource base of this region due to the peculiarities of its geological structure (the territory is formed by a thick strata of Cenozoic sediments) is associated with commonly occurring types of raw materials. Therefore, scientific research aimed at modeling the geological structure of Cenozoic sediments in the Brest region to assess the prospects for dicovering new deposits of non-metallic minerals in the region is very relevant. The purpose of this work is to create a digital geological model of the Cenozoic sediments of the Brest region as a basis for forecasting the new COMR deposits, being most accessible for development in the region, and assessing the prospects for their development. Objectives: to systematize data on the geological structure of the Brest region; to create a digital geological model of the Cenozoic strata in the Brest region; to develop an approach to the grouping of the region's lands according to their acceptability for the development of COMR deposits; to develop a scheme of involvement of the predicted COMR deposits of the Brest region in development. Study subject: Cenozoic sediments in the Brest region. Methods: computer modeling, geoinformation, approximation, cartographic, classification, expert review. Results: a new, targeted scientific and methodological approach to the geological modeling of the subsoil and non-metallic mineral deposits in the Brest region was proposed. The regional-level digital geological model created on its basis makes it possible to perform primary forecasting of COMR deposits confined to the Cenozoic sediments, as well as to assess the acceptability of involvement of the identified deposits in development.

In the rapidly evolving energy landscape, achieving not only economic benefits but also ensuring energy stability for the region and the global energy resource market has become a key objective. This study aims to optimize the processes of directional and inclined drilling of exploratory wells in the Caspian Sea offshore area in Turkmenistan, focusing on enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Among the methods used, the analytical method, classification method, functional method, statistical method, synthesis method, and others should be noted. The study involved an analysis of directional drilling processes in exploratory wells in the Caspian Sea offshore area of Turkmenistan. Innovative technologies were developed and successfully implemented to streamline production processes with an emphasis on environmental considerations. This comprehensive approach not only improves the technical readiness of energy projects in the region but also supports adherence to high standards of environmental sustainability, which is a critical component of modern energy management. Thus, the exploration of these processes is inherently connected with the formation of a sustainable and efficient energy strategy for the Caspian region. The study’s focus centers on the need for effective analysis and refinement of directional drilling processes for exploratory wells in the Caspian Sea offshore area in Turkmenistan. Key considerations include not only the goal of enhancing hydrocarbon extraction but also maintaining a balanced focus on the environmental aspects of production. The research results confirmed the effectiveness of new methods that support increased hydrocarbon production, reduce time costs, and minimize adverse environmental impacts. This study highlights not only the importance of modern technological solutions in the energy sector but also their substantial contribution to the region's sustainable development and energy security. The practical significance of this study lies in providing innovative solutions to improve directional drilling processes for exploratory wells in the Caspian Sea offshore area of Turkmenistan.

This study addresses the need for a comprehensive understanding of current state of Russia’s cupper mineral resource base. Its objective is to assess Russia’s copper reserves (balance reserves and forecast resources), analyze the spatial distribution of copper deposits by ore formation types and across ore provinces, and evaluate prospects for sustaining national copper production. Methods: The study employs statistical, graphical, and logical analysis methods. Results: The research presents a consolidated map of Russia, highlighting 25 copper provinces and 150 significant copper deposits across various ore formations, as well as prospective sites and areas. Key characteristics of Russia’s main ore formations, copper ore provinces, and outlying copper deposits are detailed. Copper production in Russia is currently concentrated in sulfide copper-nickel and copper-pyrite deposits, with emerging mining operations in copper-porphyry and copper-skarn formations. In 2021, copper production in Russia reached 1,147 Kt. Upcoming projects to develop copper deposits could increase annual production by 635–1,053 Kt, equivalent to a 55–91% rise over 2021 levels. The total estimated balance reserves and forecast resources amount to 102.7 million tons, with conditional reserves accounting for 16.1 million tons. The largest copper reserves are found in copper-nickel formations (34.4%), copper-porphyry formations (23.9%), copper sandstones formation (19.6%), and copper-pyrite formation (14.5%), with all other formations contributing 7.6%. Key provinces include Norilsk-Kharayelakh (30.9% Russian reserves), Kodar-Udokan (20.3%), and the Urals (18.9). The share of reserves is growing in newer provinces: Primorsky (8.29%), Okhotsk-Chukotka (6.23%), and East Tuvinian (3.7%). Remaining copper mining provinces account for 11.68% of reserves. Current reserves are estimated to suffice for at least 47 years of optimal extraction. The most substantial reserves are associated with copper-nickel, copper-porphyry, and copper sandstone formations, whereas balance ore reserves in copper-pyrite and copper-skarn formations are nearly exhausted. Sufficient reserve security is available in the Norilsk-Kharayelakh, Kola, and Rudny Altai provinces. However, sugnificant reserve is observed in the traditional Ural and emerging East Trans-Baikal provinces. In the North Caucasus province, a high security results in low production levels and underutilized reserve deposits. The copper-nickel formation’s reserve availability remains low, though new rich ore deposits may exist at greater depths within the Kharaelakh and Tangaralakh ore-bearing intrusions. Copper-pyrite formation reserves may expand with further exploration of deep horizons and the periphery of known deposits in the Ural province, alongside new deposits discoveries in the Circumpolar and Polar Urals. For copper-polymetallic formation, extensive deposits exist in old Ore-Altai, Salair, and North Caucasian provinces, with promising potential in the new East Tuvinian and Okhotsk-Chukotka provinces. Exploration for porphyry copper has intensified in the East Tuvinian, Primorsky, and Okhotsk-Chukotka provinces, indicating strong potential for discovering new large porphyry copper deposits. Additional reserves of copper sandstone formation may be developed within the Kodar-Udokanskaya, Igarskaya, Bilyakchan-Kolyma, and Shoria-Khakass provinces. New technology for underground copper leaching opens opportunities for exploring and utilizing smaller copper sandstone deposits in the Pre-Ural and Donetsk provinces. The recorded cooper balance reserves in Russia do not yet account for native copper deposits in basaltoid formations within the Shoria-Khakass, Norilsk-Kharayelakhskaya, and Bilyakchan-Kolyma provinces.

The Lovozero rare-metal deposit is represented by a series of sheet-like ore bodies of small and medium thickness exposing on the northwestern slopes of the Lovozero massif. The purpose of the work is to assess the impact of water inflows on the strength characteristics of the rocks of the Lovozero rare-metal deposit developed by the Karnasurt mine. The data on water inflow into Karnasurt mine workings, which exploits two ore bodies of the Lovozero rare-metal deposit, are considered. Statistical processing of the data on water volumes collected by the mine over the latest 4 years was performed, with assessment of their changes during a calendar year. The peculiarities associated with calendar climatic changes were identified. The main purpose of the study was to assess the effect of water inflows on the strength characteristics of the rocks composing the support pillars. The analysis and calculations of precipitation accumulation within the mine allotment and water inflows into the mine workings were performed and compared with actual data on mine waters. The samples of the most representative rocks of the deposit were collected and tested for dry and water-saturated compressive and tensile strength. The quantitative indicators of the changes in the strength characteristics of rocks due to water saturation were determined. It was found that the water saturation led to a decrease in the rock strength by up to 10–20%, especially for compressive strength values.

The mining industry is one of the key sectors of the Russian economy, supplying other industries with essential raw materials. However, this sector is characterized by harsh working conditions that may adversely affect workers' health. Exposure to harmful substances and significant physical workloads contribute to the development of occupational diseases. To ensure safety in production processes and protect the health of mining industry workers, it is necessary to conduct a special labor conditions assessment. This assessment allows for determining the level of harmfulness and hazard in workplaces, as well as developing measures to reduce the negative impact on workers' health. The purpose of this study is to assess dust concentration at the workplace of a crushing and screening plant operator as part of a special labor conditions evaluation. Dust concentration at the operator's workplace was measured using a standard gravimetric method. The testing was conducted in four stages and lasted 400 minutes, which is 83% of the total work shift duration. Data analysis revealed an exceedance of the permissible dust concentration by a factor of 1.28. The labor conditions class (subclass) was established as 3.1. It was found that the average dust concentrations varied by a factor of 3–4 across different testing stages due to the intensity and direction of air velocity at the production site. Based on the obtained data, dust concentrations at the workplace were predicted according to air velocity at the site, with an approximation accuracy of R² = 0.95. It was determined that the maximum allowable air velocity at the site should not exceed 2.6 m/s. Using approximated data, it was forecasted that, in the absence of air movement, the dust concentration at the operator's workplace would remain at 0.5 mg/m³. To reduce dust concentration at the operator’s workplace, comprehensive measures to minimize dust generation at the crushing plant are necessary, including washing vehicle wheels, installing dust suppression systems, and replacing the open belt conveyor with a closed one. To prevent the development of occupational diseases, operators are advised to use personal respiratory, skin, and eye protection throughout the shift.

Reclamation of coal waste dumps through the establishment of a stable soil and vegetation cover on their surface contributes to the restoration of ecological systems. Therefore, studying the properties of soils in technogenic landscapes is of current importance. The problem of biological reclamation was studied in the Kizel Coal Basin area. The effectiveness of reclamation was evaluated on several sulfide coal waste dumps. The reclamation methods, as well as the period of soil-vegetation cover formation, varied. Agrochemical properties of the dump soils were studied using unified methods. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was calculated based on Sentinel-2 and Landsat 7,8 images. To assess biological activity, phytotesting was used. The lithostrats ranged from slightly acidic to neutral (рН–Н₂О = 6.1–6.8); the embryonic soil showed a slightly alkaline reaction (7.9). The embryonic soil, due to the presence of coal particles, had the highest organic matter content (12–7.7%). Depending on the "age" of the soil, the amount of organic matter in the lithostrats varied: for the 7-year-old lithostrat, it ranged from 2.4 to 8.9%, while for the 4-year-old lithostrat, it was less than 1%. The absorption capacity of the lithostrats was similar to that of the background soil. The dump soils were characterized by low levels of nutrients (NPK), with the 4-year-old lithostrat having the lowest N content. The dump soils demonstrated favorable conditions for plant growth, as evidenced by the height and biomass of cress and oats. The calculated NDVI for all dumps ranged from 0.4 to 0.6, indicating the presence of a stable vegetation cover. The implemented reclamation measures proved to be effective.

The technical condition of ball mills, employed in the fine grinding of minerals, ores, coal, cement clinker, and other materials, is dictated by both the operational load and the actual physical state of the equipment. Vibration metrics serve as the most versatile diagnostic parameter for developing an informational profile of equipment in active use. The distinct operational environments of high-powered ball mills with frequency-controlled drive systems – one with an induction motor (FC-IM) and the other with a synchronous motor (FC-SM) – necessitate the development of universal approaches to assessing vibration loading that consider each mill's unique design features and operational modes. This study presents the first analysis of the key interrelated technical characteristics of industrial ball mills, including drum volume, diameter, rotational speed, ball load, total weight, and drive power, enabling a more substantiated approach to selecting technical parameters and operational modes. The installation of a permanent vibration control system on ball mills used for grinding mineral raw materials required the individual determination of technical condition category thresholds for the motor, gear-shaft, and drum. The category thresholds were determined individually for each shaft using statistical classification, under the assumption that coupled components are in a state influenced by the energy potential of damage during staged progression. Standard 'reference' ratios of vibration values across three mutually perpendicular directions were established. Characteristic patterns and sequences of damage progression were identified based on the direct spectra of vibration velocity and acceleration. During the analysis of vibration signal time series, a beat frequency mode was detected, indicating potential damage development within gear elements. Effective informational support for the operational condition of ball mills is achieved through the analysis of overall vibration levels, direct trends in vibration velocity and acceleration, time series of the vibration signal, and both long-term and short-term trend analyses. Vibration velocity trends provide insights into technical condition by assessing operational stability, startup frequency, and maintenance intervals.