15 teams of future miners will compete for tickets to the finals of the CASE-IN championship

15 student teams will present solutions for the development of the mining industry in the semi-finals of the XIII season The International Engineering CASE-IN Championship, which is included in  the presidential platform "Russia – the land of opportunities", and is also included in the "Science to Win" initiative of the plan for the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia.

The main theme of the Student League, as well as the season as a whole, is "Technological innovations". In the qualifying stages in the field of Mining, held on the basis of 13 universities in Russia, the contestants developed projects to introduce innovations into production, which should become an impetus for achieving technological sovereignty and the formation of a strong and competitive national economy.

On behalf of ALROSA, Mining teams have developed solutions dedicated to improving drilling and blasting operations, increasing their efficiency and reducing operating costs.

On April 23 and 24, 15 teams will meet in the semifinals.:

1. "Amniamy", St. Petersburg Mining University
2. Dromon, MISIS University of Science and Technology
3. Kristall, Northeastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov
4. Luisenthal, Siberian State Industrial University
5. Mariki, Irkutsk National Research Technical University
6. "Jade Mine", Platov South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI)
7. PARMA, Perm National Research Polytechnic University
8. Fodienda, Tula State University
9. Epiroc, North Caucasus Mining and Metallurgical Institute
10. Gem Hunters, Zabaykalsky State University
11. NORD, Northeastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov
12. ORANGE, Kuzbass State Technical University named after T.F. Gorbachev
13. POWER RANGERS, Northeastern State University
14. Spectrum, Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Exploration University
15. Ural Mining Group, UMMC Technical University

Irkutsk National Research Technical University will be represented by the Marika team in the semi-finals.

"The team studied the scientific and practical literature, in which the fracturing of the rock massif is named as the main factor affecting the quality of drilling and blasting operations. That is why we proposed using a drone and artificial intelligence to determine the geometric parameters of the site in order to adjust the volume of explosives and the area of work. In addition, they came up with ideas to install chambers on the excavator to analyze the composition of the separated rocks. Alexey Nikolaevich Shevchenko, Director of the Institute of Subsoil Use, and Associate Professor Tatiana Yurievna Krasikova provided great assistance in solving the case. The Marika team would also like to thank Evgeny Nikolaevich Belyaev, Head of the Center for Surveying and Geodetic Innovations, and Sharif Rustamzhonovich Okhunov, curator of the Alidad Scientific Research Center.", – noted team member Danil Kirikov.

The honor of the St. Petersburg Mining University of Empress Catherine II will be defended by the Amnyama team.

"One of the tasks was to reduce the seismic impact on deep quarries, because there is a problem of destroying their sides, it turns out a simple technique. We suggested using explosion-free technology, which is more technologically advanced. And the difference in labor intensity and material costs will be exactly the same.", – He told me team captain Alexander Balandin.

The ORANGE team (Kuzbass State Technical University named after T.F. Gorbachev) is also preparing for the semi-final stage.

 "I did not specifically assemble an experienced team, but took guys from the student scientific community. I wanted to tighten them up, so to speak, to show that such events are interesting and winning them is real. This is the second consecutive case during the academic year, where the participants and I take the prize. I think we won't stop there – there are many more victories ahead!" – shared team captain Stepan Amosov.

As a solution to the case, the guys proposed the comprehensive implementation of an unmanned vehicle fleet, which includes dump trucks and drilling rigs, as well as the use of an automated drilling monitoring and control system for continuous field scanning.

"The dump truck is equipped with a kit that allows you to control the hydraulics, gearbox, steering wheel and navigate using scanners spread throughout the body of the car. This technology is suitable for any manufacturer's equipment, both new and existing equipment in the field. The operator will be able to control six cars remotely. We propose to do the same with drilling rigs, which require two people per three machines to control. And you can control them from anywhere in the world.", – said the students.

The students of Perm National Research Polytechnic University, united in the PARMA team, have extensive experience in the championship and intend to get a ticket to the finals.

"We have formed a very experienced team, almost all the guys have participated in the finals of the CASE-IN more than once. There was always a working atmosphere in the group, and the roles were clearly distributed, which allowed everyone to focus on their task.", – He told me the captain of the team is Artem Lyubimov.

At the final of the championship at the end of May 2025 in Moscow, the authors of the best ideas of the semi-final will not only present their final solutions to the industry community, but will also get acquainted with the developments of the best youth engineering teams from Russia and will have opportunities for professional and career growth.

The champions and prize-winners of the Student League will receive preferential conditions for admission to master's and postgraduate studies at specialized universities, complete internships and internships at partner companies, and attend industry youth educational forums. 

The International Engineering CASE-IN Championship is held with the support of the presidential platform "Russia – the land of Opportunities". The championship is supported by 170 major partners, from federal agencies, including the Ministry of Energy of Russia, the Ministry of Construction of Russia, the Ministry of Labor of Russia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, the Ministry of Education of Russia, Rosmolodezh, to companies in the fuel and energy and mineral resource complexes, the oil and gas, petrochemical and nuclear industries, metallurgy, architectural and construction design and other industries.

The organizers of the CASE-IN championship are the Reliable Change Foundation, the presidential platform Russia — the Land of Opportunities, the Non-profit Partnership Youth Forum of Mining Leaders, and AstraLogica LLC.

The project is included in the "Science to Win" initiative of the plan for the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia.   The championship is held as part of the implementation of the federal project "Russia – the land of opportunities" of the national project "Youth and Children".