Socially Oriented Information Technology for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Mines and Metallurgical Enterprises

Аннотация

The proposed socially oriented information technology is based on the integration of diversification and technological processes for the creation of additional products and infrastructure, by stepwise structural synthesis of waste processing and land reclamation. The technology relies on empirical assumptions, theoretical principles, models of the decrease in environmental impact, assessments of the requirements, practical results, and verification criteria. The main approaches to decreasing the environmental impact include prevention of environmental damage; the introduction of a complete resource-utilization cycle; reconciliation of the interests of state agencies, investors, property owners, and other stake holders; and the stepwise integration of waste processing, recultivation of degraded land, and the creation of social infrastructure. The conceptual model for decreasing the environmental impact makes coordinated use of the primary and secondary products of waste processing and land restoration, with subsequent infrastructure creation. The outcomes of socially oriented information technology are specific, interpretable, verifiable, reliable, complete, and consistent. On the basis of the proposed tool set, scenarios are developed for improving the environmental conditions in the city of Novokuznetsk, which is located in the vicinity of metallurgical enterprises. In these scenarios, industrial wastes are used in the production of raw materials for the steel industry, building materials (bricks, concrete additives), and agricultural fertilizer. Predictions are made up to 2037, in terms of economic impact, area of recovered land, environmental pollution by productive activities, population of the region, relevant standards, and the pollution prevented per capita. Construction of the new system is planned for 2019 and 2020, with operation in 2021. Stepwise construction of the social infrastructure will begin in 2033. Simulation indicates the annual growth in predicted indices under the various scenarios, on account of synthesis of waste processing and land restoration, as well as decrease in the pollution thanks to low-waste and zero-waste production.