The article studies various aspects of the highwall mining systems applicability for the development of productive sands in terms of the occurrence conditions as well as the mining and technical parameters of placer deposits. The harsh climatic conditions of the Arctic zone and the specific properties of frozen sands impose additional requirements on the operation of the mining complex. Positive and negative aspects of the practical application of mining complexes been analysed with reference to the development of precious metals and gemstones deposits. The most promising mining sites have been identified, where the use of highwall mining systems is technologically and economically feasible. Commercial mining of reserves in the boundary zones in high walls of depleted fields and in thin unconventional seams will substantially expand the mineral resource base of mining companies. A promising trend of this technology development is discussed that includes backfilling of the mined-out space in order to reduce the loss of mineral resources. The ice-rock mixture is proposed as the backfill material, which significantly reduces the unit cost of these operations. A practical case of this technology implementation is described for the development of substandard sands of a placer deposit in the Far North conditions. The possibility of developing the reserves of tin placer deposits on the Arctic shelf using the highwall mining systems has been identified as the most promising direction of scientific and practical research for the development of the mining industry in the region.
Development of placer deposits in the North using highwall mining systems
