Justification of the Technological Scheme for the Development of Manganese Ore as a Critical Raw Material at the Open Pit Completion

This paper substantiates a technological scheme for further development of the flank section of the Chkalovskyi No 1 openpit at the Pokrovskyi MPE to extract manganese ore classified by the EU as critical raw material. Geological and hydrogeological data of the area were analyzed: orebody thickness (avg. ~1.6 m), manganese content (26-30%), overburden layer depth (up to 76 m) and stripping ratio (~23 m³/t). Three mining schemes were evaluated “ north to south ” , “ south to north ” , and “ west to east ” with detailed assessment of preparatory work volumes, capital mining operations, transportation logistics, and equipment deployment (draglines, wheel bucket complexes). The proposed optimal solution leverages existing machinery freed after completion of the main pit operations, ensuring uninterrupted supply of highgrade manganese concentrate and sustaining enterprise production capacity. The suggested phased approach minimizes capital investment and enhances reclamation efficiency. The recommended mining direction balances technical feasibility, ore quality, stripping costs, and environmental rehabilitation, offering a robust strategy to support green transition needs and critical raw material supply security.