Author 1:
Name & Surname: Rylnikova M. V.
Company: Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources — IPKON, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia)
Work Position: Head of research department
Scientific Degree: Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Professor
Contacts: rylnikova@mail.ru

Author 2:
Name & Surname: Yun A. B.
Company: KazHydroMed (Karaganda, Kazakhstan)
Work Position: Director
Scientific Degree: Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Author 3:
Name & Surname: Terentieva I. V.
Company: KazHydroMed (Karaganda, Kazakhstan)
Work Position: Geologist

The article deals with the issues of development and replenishment of the reserves at Jezkazgan deposit being under operation. The authors perform the analysis of the geomechanical situation resulting from the many-years high-rate exploitation of Jezkazgan deposit and propose alternative scenarios of its stabilization. The discussion involves potential sources to replenish mineral reserves, as well as profitable mining and processing technologies. Structurally, the article describes, first, the current geology and industrial infrastructure of Jezkazgan, and, then, specifies the key problems resulting from the long-term exploitation of the deposit. The history of the development and modification of the employed mining methods depending on ground conditions is presented. The current geomechanical situation at the deposit is described and supported with graphical charts and factual indices. The authors consider backfilling as a method of geomechanical stabilization. It is also discussed how to replenish the raw material supply base by means of reserves previously uninvolved in the production. The reserves are classified based on the methods of mining and processing. Finally, the authors arrive at the conclusion that it is possible to settle problems of mining in the Jezkazgan region by synthesizing various geotechnologies based on combination of physicotechnical and physicochemical processes involved in mining and comprehensive processing of natural minerals and mine waste material (technogenic deposits), which will allow meeting technological and social challenges in the region.
This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Grant No. 14-17-00255.

1. Satpaev K. I. Osnovnye elementy geologii i metallogenii Dzhezkazgan-Ulutausskogo rayona (Basic elements of geology and metallogeny of Dzhezkazgan-Ulutaus region). Bolshoy Dzhezkazgan: Geologiya i metallogeniya (Big Dzhezkazgan: Geology and metallogeny). Alma-Ata : Publishing House of Kazakhstan USSR, 1961. pp. 27–59.
2. Satpaeva M. K. Rudy Dzhezkazgana i usloviya ikh formirovaniya (Dzhezkazgan ores and conditions of their formation). Alma-Ata : Nauka, 1985. pp. 11–13.
3. Zhukov N. M., Kolesnikov V. V., Miroshnichenko L. A., Egembaev K. M., Pavlova Z. N., Bakarasov E. V. Mestorozhdeniya medi Kazakhstana. Spravochnik (Copper deposit of Kazakhstan : reference book). Alma-Ata, 1996. pp. 48–50.
4. Available at: http://mykazakhmys.kz (accessed: May 28, 2015) (in Russian)
5. Kaplunov D. R., Rylnikova M. V., Radchenko D. N. Rasshirenie syrevoy bazy gornorudnykh predpriyatiy na osnove kompleksnogo ispolzovaniya mineralnykh resursov mestorozhdeniy (Expanding of raw material base of mining enterprises on the basis of complex use of mineral resources of deposits). Gornyi Zhurnal = Mining Journal. 2013. No. 12. pp. 86–90.
6. Kaplunov, D. R., Radchenko D. N. Obosnovanie polnogo tsikla kompleksnogo osvoeniya nedr pri razrabotke mestorozhdeniy tverdykh poleznykh iskopaemykh (Substantiation of full cycle of complex mastering of soils during development of deposits of solid minerals). Gornyy Informatsionno-analiticheskiy Byulleten = Mining Information-Analitical Byulletin. 2011. Special issue No. 1. pp. 447–455.
7. Stansinoupolos P., Smith M. H., Hargroves K., Desha Ch. Whole System Design : An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Engineering. Earthscan. 2008. 183 p.