Peculiar properties of karst of the Sokolino-Sarkaevsk deposit

Sokolino Sarkaevsk deposit of gypsum and anhydrite is located in the Kungur region of the Perm Krai, developed since 1928 by an openpit mining. At the deposit, the sulphate strata overlying the first from the earth surface is mined. This strata is the epikarst zone that is most strongly subjected to karst processes that occurred in the past and are still occurring currently.In the geological structure of the deposit, the use ful strata is represented by gypsum and anhydrites of the Lunezh pack of the Kungur stage of the Lower Permian system with thickness of 40 45 m, overlain by Solikamsk terrigenous rocks (15-20 m) and eluvial clays of Quaternary age (5-7 m). From below, the useful strata is underlain by carbonate rocks of the Tyui pack of the Kungur stage.Karst forms by their position in the section are divided into two main groups surface and underground, and the surface type is divided into two subtypes: open and closed.Surface open karst is developed on the earth surface, closed in the roof of the gypsum layer. Underground karst is developed inside the useful strata of gypsum in the form of filled and unfilled voids and cracks.Karst cavities are divided into filled, unfilled and mixed. By position in the section, there are 5 types of cavities, by vertical size 5 types.The proposed typology of karst has been success fully applied at mining the Sokolino Sarkaevsk deposit of gypsum and anhydrite.Karst typification in openpit gypsum deposits is a comprehensive method of studying karst forms, the purpose of which is to detail the geological structure of the sulphate strata, its quality, which determines the most effective strategy for the development of this strata in the present and in the future.