Ussolski Potash Combine, OAO ‘MHK EuroChem’, Berezniki (Russia):

А. V. Chaginov, Deputy Head of Mining Operations, Construction of shafts for the Ussolski Potash Combine, OAO ‘MHK EuroChem’, Berezniki (Russia)
I. V. Suppes, Head of Technical Supervisory Department, Ussolski Potash Combine, OAO ‘MHK EuroChem’, Berezniki (Russia)

Thyssen Schachtbau GmbH, Mülheim an der Ruhr (Germany):
E. A. Dorn, Project Engineer, Thyssen Schachtbau GmbH, Muelheim an der Ruhr (Germany)

The paper was presented by authors in May, 2013 at the Fourth International Aachen Mining Symposia regarding Mineral Resources and Mine Development (AIMS, 2013) at the Rhine and Westphalian technical university (RWTH, Aahen, Germany). The paper was published in English in the journal of the conference.

The construction of vertical shafts for accessing the potash deposits is a highly challenging engineering task and an essential element in the success of the overall mining project. The operation essentially involves the safe and efficient sinking and construction of the shafts and the installation of an effective water seal to protect the salt and potash strata from hydrolysis and flooding – an event that would result in the total or partial loss of the deposit. This report describes the technical procedures employed during the sinking and construction of two vertical mine shafts designed to provide access to the potash deposits of OAO ‘MHK EuroChem’ in the Perm region of Russia and to develop the Palasherski potash deposit being mined by EuroChem in the Russian Federation. As well as outlining the planning and project development requirements the paper presents the technical aspects of the freeze-hole drilling and ground freezing operations and the installation of the tubbing lining and goes on to describe some features of the mechanised shaft sinking system. It also presents the technology employed for installing the wedge ring (“Keilkranz)”, that is used as sealing elements for the shaft lining.