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Solikamsk-2 accident first implications: situation could worsen
After a statement made by one of the world’s largest potash producers and exporters Uralkali (MCX:URKA)(LON:URALL), first visual implications of Solikamsk-2 potash mine accident have been revealed.
A sinkhole with a diameter of 30-40 meters has been detected to the east of the Solikamsk-2 production site, at the area packed with summer cottages. There were no casualties reported so far.
30-40 meters diameter sinkhole near the Solikamsk-2 potash mine (source: V-kurse.ru).
30-40 meters diameter sinkhole near the Solikamsk-2 potash mine (source: V-kurse.ru).
Some experts do believe that producing Solikamsk-1 mine adjacent to flooded Solikamsk-2 mine, likely to be flooded also, but it will not happen soon since there are two safety barriers installed between mines, – a 20 meters concrete wall and a 200 meters pillar, which entirely consists of potassium salt (see picture below).
Cross-section of Solikamsk 1 and 2 mines. Source: V-kurse.ru
Potentially, fresh water could mix with the brine in a flooded mine, which in turn may create microfractures in a concrete wall by that time.
Tectonic fractures are other possible way water/brine mix may penetrate and dissolve protective pillar.
Theoretically, this process may take years, if it really happens.
We will continue to monitor Uralkali’s official statements in this regard.
Source: Infomine
14 Comments
pgroup
That looks like one mighty deep hole. Sure glad it isn’t in the USA.
Dennis Basco
is that called Hailsinky lol thats just wrong
wde
Well… Russia!
Thestarv
In Russia you don’t mine the potash the potash mines you?
Enginerd
Sinkholes happen all over the world even in the US…didn’t some corvettes fall into a sinkhole recently??…as well as Canada and other first world countries, while sometimes they’re predictable/preventable…sometimes they’re not. Yes extremely glad no one was hurt but to the comments oh well it’s Russia…shame on you!!
jacbar007
Can you imagine what could happen if these countries built pipelines instead of us in Canada ? Canada has very severe building rules. We built high quality pipelines here.
MineEngineer
What does this comment have to do with anything related to the story? Many countries build pipelines; they transport liquids and gases. Do you believe you are the only country that can build high quality pipelines? Good job on creating “severe building rules”. I’m just glad they weren’t built by you, in particular.
bobby44
This is a very shallow (200M) mine. That means there is a lack of natural structure to the surface. By nature potash mines are in ‘soft’ zones. If this were a 1000M depth there would be minor earth quakes as the abandoned tunnels collapse following mining. In this case the tunnel collapse reaches to the surface. Couple that with the water and it is serious. They are very fortunate the buildings were not occupied and there are no casualties.
Watch out for flooding in these tunnels.
SnakePlissken
East of the Urals – is not Russia, it is Siberia, in Asia, not Europe. The USSR was not Russia either, btw.
Nathaniel Donaghy
Cool not real map bud.
Define Irony
What comes around….
SnakePlissken
When ‘we’ take oil out of the ground, there is no ‘vacuum’ left behind, it is displaced by water, correct? What is happening to all the aquifers we are vacating – we cannot replace the water with oil or other materials – that is our fresh water, so, yeah, what IS going to come around on us with all our billions and billions of people being fed by our smart-guy, PhD-directed farmers and urban-managers removing all the water from all the aquifers?
hsud1
This is why backfill is very important not only underground ground stability but also surface stability. Backfill is also directly related to mine production, but I saw many people who ignore backfill. Backfill could be a good preventative action if it’s properly placed in the first place even though ground is weakened by water and liquefaction.
DontTouchThatMabel
In Russia even the holes are bigger.