The article examines the influence of road infrastructure parameters on the organization of freight transport in the Almaty region. The region is a key link in the system of international transport corridors, including the Western Europe–Western China route and the corridors of Central Asia. The urgency of the work is due to the growth of transit potential and traffic intensity, which requires high throughput and safety of the road network. The purpose of the study is to identify the relationship between the geometric parameters of highways, the quality of the road surface and the accident rate involving heavy vehicles. The paper uses methods of statistical analysis of road accidents, comparative analysis of the operational characteristics of road sections and elements of transport modeling. Based on the analysis of data on key sites in the Almaty region, the main risk factors have been identified. It has been established that even on roads of the first technical category, safety directly depends on compliance with design parameters and road construction. The results of the study can be used to optimize the routing of cargo flows and improve road infrastructure in the framework of the development of multimodal transportation. The results obtained make it possible to more accurately assess the impact of road infrastructure parameters on the operating conditions of freight transport. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of using the results in the design and reconstruction of highways, as well as in the planning of traffic flows at the regional level. Keywords: freight transport, road infrastructure, Almaty region, traffic safety, accident rate, transport modeling, highways

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/501-515

2026

Issue 3

The study is related to the relevance of analyzing the patterns of traffic speed variation on urban entry streets, as the increase in traffic flows has intensified the load on the street and road network and led to congestion formation. The aim of the study is a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal characteristics of traffic speed on urban entry streets and substantiation of the possibilities for their effective use in traffic management systems. The study considers the main arterial streets entering the city of Almaty-Rayimbek Batyr Avenue and Aksuat Street. The work examined traffic flow intensity, distribution of average speed, speed regimes (Vmax, V85, Va), platoon movement, and safety headways. The research methods included quantitative analysis of their spatiotemporal characteristics. The spatiotemporal analysis was carried out using the Sierzega SR7 device and SRA software, and the study sections were identified using 2GIS and Yandex Maps services. In addition, statistical analysis methods (mean value, variance, and correlation analysis) were used in data processing, which made it possible to clarify the relationship between traffic speed and traffic flow density. The results of the study revealed the daily cyclical nature of traffic flow, including patterns of intensity changes during morning and evening peak periods. It was also proven that spatial variation in traffic speed directly affects the capacity of street sections. The identified results are of significant practical importance for planning and optimizing urban transport infrastructure, as well as for making managerial decisions aimed at reducing congestion levels. During the study, based on the analysis of spatiotemporal characteristics of traffic speed, the possibilities of rapid identification of congestion zones and effective traffic flow management were considered. The proposed methodology may in the future be integrated into Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and serve as a basis for real-time monitoring.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/566-578

2026

Issue 3

This article presents a computational assessment of the effects of ultrasonic cleaning of used cutting fluid on cutting-tool wear and the stability of the milling process. The topic is relevant because, during operation, cutting fluids become contaminated with solid particles, wear debris, tramp oils, and other impurities, which reduce their cooling and lubricating properties. This deterioration increases cutting forces, accelerates tool wear, and adversely affects machining quality. The study aims to determine the potential effects of ultrasonic cleaning on restoring the technological properties of used cutting fluid and improving milling efficiency. The characteristics of untreated and theoretically cleaned cutting fluids were compared, and the resulting changes in machining parameters were evaluated. The calculations showed that ultrasonic cleaning could reduce the concentration of solid particles by 70.3%, turbidity by 63.0%, the average contaminant content by 57.5%, and the proportion of tramp oils by 56.2%, while maintaining viscosity and pH within technologically acceptable ranges. According to the computational assessment, using cleaned cutting fluid could reduce tool flank wear by 28.3%, extend its estimated service life by 30.2%, decrease the average cutting force by 12.0%, and improve surface roughness by 19.4%. These findings indicate that ultrasonic cleaning can be regarded as a promising approach to improving the reliability, stability, and resource efficiency of milling processes. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the proposed assessment to substantiate potential reductions in tool consumption, extensions of cutting-fluid service life, and decreases in operating costs.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/182-197

2026

Issue 3

This article presents a comprehensive study focused on the problem of increasing the operational durability of press tools used in the nuclear industry for molding fuel pellets from uranium dioxide (UO2) powder. The main attention is paid to the technological aspects and contact interaction processes of steel dies equipped with hard-alloy bushings made of VK8 tungsten-cobalt alloy, as well as steel punches with wear-resistant hard chromium plating. Production monitoring of modern fuel pellet manufacturing processes revealed that the actual tool life of the dies ranges from 500 to 1200 working cycles, which is significantly lower than the design standard values of 2500 cycles. The degradation of the dies initiates an uncontrolled increase in friction forces during the ejection of compacts, leading to the formation of end cracks on the pellets and subsequent chipping of the punch coatings. A critical analysis of the traditional technology for manufacturing hard-alloy bushings by two-stage hot pressing was performed. As a promising technological approach, the use of the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method is theoretically and technologically substantiated. The potential advantages of SPS are associated with the elimination of organic plasticizers, a reduction in the duration of high-temperature exposure, and the possibility of limiting WC grain growth. The phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and service life of SPS-manufactured press tools require further experimental verification.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/342-359

2026

Issue 3

The Zhezkazgan deposit is one of the world’s major copper-ore regions and is characterized by significant mineral reserves and favorable prospects for further development. The geological and mining conditions of the deposit support the extensive use of heavy-duty underground mining vehicles. The high degree of mechanization of mining operations places increased requirements on the reliability, maintainability, and availability of mining equipment. Failures of individual vehicle components may result in significant downtime and affect the continuity of production processes. Therefore, the analysis of failure data and the development of quantitative approaches for determining spare-parts requirements are important for improving maintenance planning. In this study, failure data for the main components of heavy-duty mining vehicles operating at the Zhomart Mine were analyzed using a probabilistic approach based on the normal distribution. Particular attention was paid to determining the parameters of the failure distribution and estimating the number of spare parts required to maintain a specified probability of failure-free operation.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/76-87

2026

Issue 3

A comparative analysis of modern technological methods for producing steel grinding balls (120–140 mm in diameter) based on the fundamental processes of metal forming was conducted. Specifically, the study compared the advantages and disadvantages of three methods: the forging-and-rolling method (rapid forging followed by rolling in shaped rolls), helical rolling on specialized ball-rolling mills, and hot forging on forging presses. The assessment was based on several criteria: productivity, mechanical properties (Rockwell hardnes HRC and impact toughness KCU), wear resistance, dimensional accuracy, economic efficiency, and applicability for mining enterprises in Kazakhstan. This research aims to objectively compare three modern industrial methods for producing steel grinding balls of the specified diameter and to select the most effective technology for industrial application in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the comprehensive comparison of competing technologies for producing large-diameter steel grinding balls based on key end-user requirements. The results demonstrate that the forging-and-rolling method, using an initial hot-rolled bar with a reduction ratio (ε) of at least 10, provides the best combination of mechanical properties and is the optimal solution for producing balls in this size range. For production volumes exceeding 60,000 tonnes/year, a combined production layout is recommended: a ball-rolling mill for 40–100 mm balls and a forging-and-rolling line for 100–140 mm balls.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/304-314

2026

Issue 3

Geopolymer and alkali-activated materials are considered promising alternatives to conventional cement systems due to their reduced carbon footprint and the possibility of industrial waste utilization. One of the key components of such systems is red mud, a large-tonnage waste generated during alumina production, characterized by a high content of iron, calcium, aluminum, and silicon oxides. However, the high crystallinity and low reactivity of untreated red mud significantly limit its practical application in construction and geopolymer materials. In this study, the effect of thermal activation of red mud at 600 °C on its physicochemical properties and phase composition was investigated. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that calcination promotes dehydration and partial decomposition of hydrated and carbonate phases, accompanied by structural reorganization of the mineral matrix and an increase in thermally stable components. After thermal treatment, changes in diffraction peak intensity, increased crystallinity of iron-containing phases, and the formation of a more reactive material structure were observed. The obtained results confirm the potential of thermally activated red mud as a component of geopolymer and construction composite materials.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/331-341

2026

Issue 3

This paper investigates the feasibility of producing a special high-ash coke from coal mined at the Vostochny open-pit mine of the Ekibastuz coal basin and evaluates its potential application in ferroalloy production. The relevance of the study is обусловлена the high cost of coke nut and the need to identify alternative carbonaceous reducing agents for the electric smelting of ferroalloys. The object of the study was high-ash coal from the Vostochny open-pit mine with a particle size of 10(20)–80(100) mm, characterized by a high content of mineral (ash-forming) matter. The paper presents the quality characteristics and proximate analysis of the raw coal, together with the results of laboratory-scale medium-temperature carbonization experiments. The results demonstrate that thermal treatment of high-ash coal produces a coke residue with a relatively high fixed carbon content, a well-developed porous structure, and improved physicochemical properties essential for carbothermic reduction processes. The mineral fraction of the reducing agent is shown to consist predominantly of aluminosilicate compounds, allowing it to be considered not only as a carbon source but also as a carbonaceous-mineral component of the burden. The study confirms the feasibility of further research aimed at developing a medium-temperature carbonization technology for high-ash coals from the Vostochny open-pit mine to produce a specialized reducing agent for manufacturing various grades of ferroalloys. The application of such a material could promote the rational utilization of Kazakhstan's coal resources, broaden the raw material base of the ferroalloy industry, and improve the techno-economic performance of ferroalloy production.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/381-394

2026

Issue 3

This article discusses ways to improve the technology for precipitating copper from productive solutions obtained during the processing of refractory gold-copper ores in Kazakhstan. The presence of copper in such ores critically complicates the selective ex-traction of precious metals and leads to excessive reagent consumption. The authors conducted a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of classical mathematical ap-proaches (V.P. Malyshev’s method) and predictive analytics tools based on the AdaBoost algorithm. The modeling was based on data from 50 experimental cycles, in which the pH, copper concentration, and dosage of the sulfidizing agent (Na₂S) were varied.It was established that ensemble learning demonstrates exceptional accuracy (R² = 0.9933), significantly minimizing prediction error compared to the traditional Protodyakonov equation. A key result of the study was the identification of a critical inversion point at pH ≈ 3.7, which determines the rationality of using Na₂S. The feature importance analysis conducted allows not only for the stabilization of gold extraction but also for significant cyanide savings through the precise real-time control of copper-removal parameters.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/435-445

2026

Issue 3

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the mining and technical conditions for the operation of self-propelled diesel equipment (SPDE) in the underground mines of the Kazakhmys Corporation. The relevance of this research stems from the need to improve the energy efficiency of mining operations in the context of declining ore grades and increasing mining depths. The study involved a systematisation of the fleet, comprising loaders and haulers, mine dump trucks and front-end loaders from leading global manufacturers (Caterpillar, Sandvik, Epiroc). Particular attention was paid to the relationship between the technical characteristics of diesel engines with power outputs ranging from 299 to 522 kW and the volume of toxic emissions produced, as well as the associated ventilation costs. It has been established that the share of underground transport in the cost structure of ore extraction reaches 29.6%, with the operation of diesel machinery accounting for more than half of these costs (17.2% of the total cost). The analysis showed that the modern Tier 3/Stage IIIA environmental standards adopted in the Republic of Kazakhstan require the supply of significant volumes of fresh air to dilute exhaust gases, which places a heavy load on ventilation systems. The results of this study enable a quantitative assessment of the current level of dieselisation in production and provide a basis for justifying the economic viability of switching to alternative propulsion systems, including battery-powered and hybrid technology. The data obtained serve as a foundation for further mathematical modelling and optimisation of the fuel efficiency of the self-propelled diesel vehicle fleet using modern digital technologies.

https://doi.org/10.48081/NiTK3.2026/198-213

2026

Issue 3