Chersky Institute of Mining of the North, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia:

L. L. Fedorova, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, lar-fed-90@rambler.ru
K. O. Sokolov, Senior Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
G. A. Kulyandin, Researcher

Mirny Polytechnic Institute (Branch), Ammosov North-Eastern University, Mirny, Russia:

E. E. Soloviev, Director, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences

Insufficient study of geocryological conditions in mineral fields in permafrost zone can result in casual deformations, fall or displacement of rocks. The detailed exploration of geocryological conditions is possible using GPR—a geophysical technique proved to be efficient in permafrost rocks. For successful identification of geocryological objects, it is necessary to define their connection with characteristics of wave fields of GPR. Mathematical modeling of GPR measurements in rock mass enclosing geocryological objects is for this purpose carried out (suprapermafrost water, thermal radiation-type talik (manmade), bedded ice). By the modeling results, the characteristics of wave fields (time of registration, a variation of amplitude values of the diffracted and reflected waves) depending on geometrical sizes of geocryological objects and enclosing environments are determined. The GPR models containing the scheme of geological section with a geocryological object and the synthetic radargram are created. The wave field characteristics found from the analysis of the computer modeling data are confirmed in the experimental GPR research of permafrost zone rock mass. The angular GPR scanning technique developed for research of subsurface objects in the conditions of limited space and cross-country terrain is presented. Its efficiency in tracing regular signals against the background of diffracted waves is shown. GPR models of bedded ice and aquifer are confirmed in exploration of permafrost deposits developed by Almazy Anabara and Drazhnik companies. The exploration proves feasibility of efficient GPR-based analysis of the above-listed geocryological objects that appreciably affect mining operations.
The authors would like to acknowledge participation of Researcher M. P. Fedorov and Junior Researcher N. D. Prodetskii (both Chersky Institute of Mining of the North, SB RAS) in these studies.

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