Combined geotechnology: formation, achievements, and real prospects

This article presents a historical analysis of the formation and development of combined geotechnology as one of the most efficient branches of the mining science. It enables the most complete and safe exploitation and conservation of subsurface resources. The concept was shaped over the course of 25 years through a series of thematic conferences, which ultimately led to the establishment of a scientific school of the same name under the leadership of Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences D.R. Kaplunov. Combined geotechnology is also considered as a set of technological solutions for the integrated development of natural mineral deposits and associated man-made formations, through a combination of physicotechnical and physico-chemical methods for mining solid minerals. The paper outlines the key achievements in implementing combined geotechnology at large-scale mineral deposits in Russia and discusses future development prospects based on the digitalization and robotization of technological processes, with a focus on increasing their energy efficiency.