In recent decades, two different approaches to mine ventilation control have been developed: ventilation on demand (VOD) and automatic ventilation control (AVC) systems. The latter was primarily developed in Russia and the CIS countries. This paper presents a comparative analysis of these two approaches; it was concluded that the approaches have much in common. The only significant difference between them is the optimal control algorithm used in automatic ventilation control systems. The paper describes in greater detail the algorithm for optimal control of ventilation devices that was developed at the scientific school of the Perm Mining Institute with the direct participation of the authors. One feature of the algorithm is that the search for optimal airflow distribution in the mine is performed by the system in a fully automated mode. The algorithm does not require information about the actual topology of the mine and target airflows for the fans. It can be easily programmed into microcontrollers of main fans and ventilation doors. Based on this algorithm, an automated ventilation control system was developed, which minimizes energy consumption through three strategies: automated search for optimal air distribution, dynamic air distribution control depending on the type of shift, and controlled air recirculation systems. Two examples of the implementation of an automated ventilation control system in potash mines in Belarus are presented. A significant reduction in the energy consumption for main fans’ operation obtained for both potash mines.

By the method of modern physical material science (optic microscopy scanning and transmission electron microscopy) the analysis of structural phase states, the morphology of the second phase inclusions and defect substructure of Al-Si alloy (silumin) of hypoeutectic composition, subjected to electron beam processing was done with the following parameters: energy density 25-35 J/cm2, beam length 150 μs, pulse number – 3, pulse repetition rate – 0.3 Hz, pressure of residual gas (argon) 0.02 Pa. The surface irradiation results in the melting of the surface layer, the dissolution of boundary inclusions, the stricture formation of high speed cellular crystallization of submicron sizes, the repeated precipitation of the second phase nanodimentional particles. With the increased distance from the irradiation surface the layer containing the second phase inclusions of quasi-equilibrium shape along with the crystallization cells was revealed. It is indicative of the processes of Al-Si alloy structure globalization on electron beam processing.

The article discusses the spatial development of non-urban areas based on the use of local peat resources. Creating a methodology for the advanced spatial development of non-urban areas has peat resources based on multi- criteria optimisation of production and social infrastructures. The industrial and social infrastructure of the non-urban areas having reserves of peat, associated mineral, and industrial raw materials. Regularities, trends, and features of formation and functioning of the productive and social infrastructure of the natural and man-made complex in the development of peat reserves, associated mineral, and industrial raw materials. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to conduct interdisciplinary research and solve the following specific objectives: (1) the scientific justification of new technological processes and equipment for peat and mineral raw materials processing for obtaining new composite materials for multiple purposes; (2) the feature analysis of the use of local peat resources to provide the development of non-urban areas based on a set of scientific approaches; (3) the development of the methodology for project management of the natural and man-made complex to ensure multi-criteria optimisation of productive and social infrastructure. The example of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra development selected results of confronting the existing “big grand” and national challenges through the mechanisms of rational use of local peat resources non-urban areas are illustrated. The results indicated that by 2030 there would be a 3.8-fold increase in mineral extraction and a 5.9-fold increase in processing industries.