DIGITALIZATION OF RUSSIAN COAL PRODUCTION: ECONOMIC EFFECTS AND SYSTEMIC RISKS OF IOT AND AI IMPLEMENTATION UNDER SANCTIONS

Authors:

M.M. Grishkevich, V.S. Karamyshev, V.I. Onufrienko, E.S. Pidgurskaya, G.R. Romanov
Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, 664074, Russian Federation e-mail: Mihail-Griskevic@yandex.com
Authors Information
Grishkevich M.M. – Student, Department of Oil and Gas Engineering, Institute of Subsoil Use, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, 664074, Russian Federation, e-mail: Mihail-Griskevic@yandex.com
Karamyshev V.S. – Student, Department of Oil and Gas Engineering, Institute of Subsoil Use, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, 664074, Russian Federation, e-mail: onufrienkovlad15@gmail.com
Onufrienko V.I. – Student, Department of Oil and Gas Engineering, Institute of Subsoil Use, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, 664074, Russian Federation, e-mail: onufrienkovlad15@gmail.com
Pidgurskaya E.S. – Student, Department of Technology and Equipment for Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Aircraft Engineering and Transport, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, 664074, Russian Federation, Irkutsk, e-mail: eva.pidgurskaya@bk.ru
Romanov G.R. – Associate Professor, Department of Oil and Gas Engineering, Institute of Subsoil Use, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, 664074, Russian Federation, Irkutsk, e-mail: rgr@ex.istu.edu

UDC: 622.33:338.45 c M.M. Grishkevich, V.S. Karamyshev, V.I. Onufrienko, E.S. Pidgurskaya, G.R. Romanov, 2026 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18796/0041-5790-2026-6-64-67

Abstract

The Russian coal industry under sanction restrictions of 2022-2026 faced a sharp 40% reduction in imported mining equipment and the necessity to redirect export flows toward the Asia-Pacific region, making digitalization a key adaptation tool. This article analyzes the economic effects and systemic risks of implementing IoT and artificial intelligence based on financial reports from five largest Russian coal companies and Rosstat data from 15 regions. The results demonstrate that digital technology implementation reduces operational costs (OPEX) by 16.8% (p=0.004); however, return on investment in Russia is 23% lower than in Australian counterparts due to software localization costs. A strong correlation (r=0.83) was identified between workforce reduction and unemployment growth in single-industry towns. The study confirms the necessity of balancing technological sovereignty and economic efficiency with a 40-50% share of Russian software, as well as creating mechanisms to offset social costs of digital transformation in coal-mining regions with monostructural economies.

Keywords: Digitalization, coal industry, sanction restrictions, economic efficiency, social risks.

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For citation

Grishkevich M.M., Karamyshev V.S., Onufrienko V.I., Pidgurskaya E.S., Romanov G.R. Digitalization of Russian coal production: economic effects and systemic risks of IoT and AI implementation under sanctions. Ugol’. 2026;(6):64-67. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.18796/0041-5790-2026-6-64-67.

Paper Info
Received: April 28, 2026
Reviewed: May 18, 2026
Accepted: May 30, 2026