Mining and Construction in Snow and Ice

Snow, firn, and ice are the most widespread cryogenic minerals on Earth’s surface. Their properties differ significantly from those of common minerals, and their excavation requires special approaches. The problems of mining and construction in snow and ice could be explained mostly by harsh climate conditions, logistics difficulties, environmental issues and snow-ice related challenges. The primary objective of this book is to list all feasible technologies for mining and construction in snow and ice, and to analyze these from the perspective of applications, problems, and hindrances.

Although mining and construction in snow and ice appears exotic, it is significantly common for the production of snow and ice as a source of freshwater and construction material; accessing subglacial ore; the investigation and sampling of near-surface layers; glacier geoengineering works; recovering of snow-buried objects; construction of subsurface shelters for living, working, and military facilities; observation and investigation of glacier beds; construction of sightseeing ice tunnels; and drainage of ice-dammed proglacial lakes.