The Role of Innovative Technologies in Solving Kuzbass Coal Industry Geo-Ecological Problems

摘要

The coal mining industry is fundamental for social and economic development of the Kemerovo region (Western Siberia, Russia). This is due to the fact that on the territory of the region the Kuznetsk coal basin is located with unique grades of coal and high coal-bearing strata on a relatively small area. In addition, much of the Kuznetsk coal is suitable for the development of a highly efficient open pit mining, which creates prerequisites for further development of the region. On the other hand, intensive development of the coal mining industry of Kuzbass makes great environmental pressure, and worsens ecological situation in the region as a whole. The article provides a brief analysis of the environmental risks associated with rapidly developing coal industry, and offers exemplary ways of their decreasing.