Mining and processing of mineral resources

Russia is one of the richest countries in terms of mineral resources. That is why their extraction and processing are of great significance for our economy. Demand for mineral resources will remain quite high in the coming decades, which is why these industries will continue needing highly qualified staff. A few factors play key parts at the current stage.
First, traditional deposits of oil, gas and other resources are depleting, and production companies are forced to develop increasingly more complex fields as well as new types of resources, such as oil-bearing sand, shale gas, and offshore and deepwater fields. Deepwater drilling will be needed not only in the oil and gas industry but also for industrial mining of manganiferous iron ore and other metals.
Second, environmental requirements are increasing in the field of transporting mineral resources and field conservation. An example of an advanced and environmentally safe technology used now is the collection of methane emitted during mineral resource extraction into the pipeline to prevent gas emissions into the atmosphere. Biotechnological solutions are emerging in the industry as well, e.g. ore refining using bacteria.
Another important trend is the attempt at production cost reduction and resource efficiency. For example, methane from coalmines can be liquefied to be used as fuel. This technology will be applied primarily for production needs, e.g. to fuel dump trucks and illuminate structures, and it is especially useful at deposits with harsh climatic conditions, where shift or unmanned work methods are used.
Third, staff mobility in the sector will grow. Already, increasingly fewer specialists are prepared to move with production activities. Therefore, unmanned technologies will be used more often, with employees working remotely in virtual teams and telemetric systems. Some industries will develop with minimal numbers of staff, which will be replaced with intensive use of technology (e.g. remote healthcare). Only experts will work in shifts at such facilities.
Extraction and processing of mineral resources is a high-risk industry, which is why technologies are being developed to ensure the safety of people at production sites.