Английский язык для горных инженеров

Advances in the development of colour films are likely to increase the importance of this method in mineral exploration. For example, copper districts may show large reddish areas near the ore bodies.

Research into the applications of colour photography and into the use of airborne infra-red sensors may help in the problem of rock identification, and thus also in mineral exploration from air. Studies of the spectral zone suggest that rocks and minerals may have characteristic absorption, reflection, and emission spectra in this range.

Besides, it was found that the combination of survey methods for example, photogeology and airborne geophysics, the integration of photogeology with geochemical prospecting provided information that exceeded the sum of data obtainable from air photography or geophysics when used separately. Some types of deposits were discovered by using combined data from air photographs and aeromagnetic survey.

Recent developments deal with the application of more complicated remote sensing systems to mineral exploration. Certain types of mineral deposits show strong and unique fluorescent properties which may be used in mineral exploration. The using of maser devices to excite spectral response in specific materials, e.g. fluorescent mineral, has been suggested.

Scientists also suggest that thermal mapping from air should be used in mineral exploration. Changes in infra-red radiation, related to surface temperature characteristics and the emissivity of surfaces, may be translated into a strip thermal map. Long-range detection of hot spring and gaseous emanations will be among the practical applications of this system.

Much has been done by the scientists throughout the world. In the field of geology the X-ray has been very successfully incorporated into geology and is used to probe the atomic structures of minerals. Fluorescent methods enable the geochemists to analyse large numbers of samples for major elements and for tracing elements and to determine the way in which the chemical elements are incorporated in igneous rocks and how the replacements of one element by another occur within the mineral groups.

Though X-rays are being used in the field geology, there

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are exceedingly small and necessitate detailed examination under the microscope. Micropalaeontology has recently become a very specialized science with strong links with both zoology and botany. The value of these tiny fossils is that they are not easily destructible, and that they occur in large numbers and are thus a very good basis for rock zonation. Both for their own account as biological organisms and for their geological application these small fossils will con-

for geology. The exploration of the Moon, Mars, Venus and other planets has already begun. Geological interpretation of the Moon is now well advanced and it has become known that its surface and that of Mars are rocky.

The use of automatic and piloted Earth satellites — spaceships and stations — has allowed global exploration of all parts of our planet, both continental and oceanic. They can observe large geographical structures which could not have

Geologists are of the opinion that the material which has already been obtained from spaceships or satellites with the help of video equipment is quite interesting. They think that in future TV systems will help in natural resources exploration.

Though more and more useful minerals in the world are mined by open-pit mining, the importance of underground mining is still great because the average grade of ore mined underground is higher than that of open-pit ore. It is possible

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to say that about half the world's mineral production comes

stage of development. It has previously been limited to the extraction of copper from low-grade ores. Processes will soon

burning coal directly in place. Underground gasification, the production of gas and liquid fuel from coal is the mpst promising process in tomorrow's technology.

One of the main advantages of the in situ mining is that it

tion with a conventional mining.

Another problem of mining is further mechanization and automation of mining processes. Thus, in underground mining great attention is paid to designing efficient winning complexes consisting of self-moving powered supports incorporated

toring and in other fields. The computer programmes give information on coal seam thickness, and the nature of dis-

For example, ventilation planning has been assisted by the introduction of computers and analog devices. Mathematical models have been developed for use with digital computers enabling heat flow to be calculated and leading to the prediction of environmental conditions in ventilation districts and hence facilitating the estimation of ventilation requirements. It is obvious that the development of effective ven-

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tilation methods is a very important problem in mining. It is known that in designing mine layouts, the quantity and quality of the air to be circulated to the working places have always been of prime importance. Workings have become deeper and rock temperatures have accordingly become prog-

anization and automation of mining processes. Automatic

of mining machinery and heading machines. The development of tele-controlled manipulators facilitates mining at great

when instructed by a remote human operator through close-

lems. The rational, effective and ecologically harmless utilization of coal is a key problem in coal-based power engineering. First of all, it is a comprehensive utilization of the total rock mass including preparation 'waste. Then follow the improvement of power-generating coal quality and the reduction

the efficient use of modern machinery and human resources based on scientific and technological progress.

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