Engineering and geocryological assessment of the impact of mineral extraction on permafrost degradation within the Arctic cryolithozone of Russia

The present study focuses on the engineering and geocryological assessment of the thermal impact of mineral extraction activities on the degradation of permafrost within the Arctic cryolithozone of Russia. The research is centered on the Yunyaginsky coal strip mine and adjacent underground mines of the Pechora coal basin, including Vorgashorskaya, Vorkutinskaya, and Zapolyarnaya. These mining facilities are located in regions characterized by widespread permafrost and are subject to increasing anthropogenic pressure from thermal emissions associated with open-pit and underground coal extraction. The study examines how persistent thermal loads from mining infrastructure, spoil heaps, and ventilation emissions contribute to active layer deepening, moisture redistribution, and strength loss in frozen soils. The assessment accounts for the spatial variability of thermal anomalies and their correlation with operational factors, such as excavation intensity, ventilation flow rates, and drainage water temperature. The study uses a combination of field-based temperature monitoring, geotechnical borehole sampling, laboratory testing of permafrost samples, and numerical modeling of heat transfer processes to evaluate the extent and rate of permafrost degradation under thermal stress. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the quantitative characterization of thermal fields generated by mining operations in Arctic permafrost conditions and the identification of threshold conditions under which permafrost degradation accelerates. Numerical simulations and empirical data indicate that under a thermal load density exceeding 100 W/m², permafrost thawing reaches depths of 3–4 meters over five years. Field observations revealed that the maximum depth of seasonal thawing doubled in the impact zone compared to background sites, reaching 2.8 meters. Additionally, localized permafrost loss was documented in areas near spoil heaps and mine water discharge zones, where ground temperatures exceeded 0 °C and moisture content rose above 35%. The findings underscore the necessity for thermoprotective engineering measures, such as insulated platforms, passive thermosiphons, and automated thermal monitoring systems, to mitigate infrastructure risks and ensure sustainable mining operations in Arctic environments.

Arctic, permafrost, permafrost degradation, thermal impact, coal mining, Yunyaginsky mine, Pechora coal basin, geocryology, heat transfer, engineering infrastructure