The composition of Tupilakosaurus fauna is adjusted. Land tetrapod assemblage from the Upper Sukhorechka Subsuite of the Buzuluk Depression is excluded from the fauna. Based on the analysis of all available paleontological (temnospondyl amphibians, phyllopods, palynocomplexes) and paleomagnetic data the age of Tupilakosaurus fauna (and, accordingly, the age of Vokhmian Horizon) is set as Griesbachian (Early Induan). Late Sukhorechka tetrapod assemblage is considered to be Dienerian (Late Induan) in age, compared with a temnospondyl amphibian complex of Myalina kochi beds (uppermost part of the Wordie Creek Formation) of East Greenland and is regarded as an intermediate between the Tupilakosaurus and Benthosuchus faunas.

Carbon and oxygen isotope composition of Lower Permian carbonates is similar to carbonates of the Perm Zechstein basin and Sakmarian-and-Kazanian dolomites of the east side of Russian platform. Local variations of 5¹³С and 5¹⁸О in the Kungurian dolomites are caused by its formation in basin with various hydrodynamic activity and depth. Solikamsk carbonates formed in basin with different evaporating rate in fringe and central zones. Difference of isotope structure of the Kungurian carbonates from the Solikamsk ones is caused by change of the regressive regimen of the early Perm basin to transgressive regimen that is caused by water basin demineralization. Hypergenesis of Lower Permian dolomites in the condition of semiarid climate and repeated infiltrations of atmospheric waters lead to formation of two product groups. The first is presented by secondary cavernous dolomite enriched by¹³C, and the second - reworked (neogenic) calcite enriched by¹²C and¹⁶O which filled interstices in secondary dolomite.

The floristic similarity of coal-bearing deposits of Donetsk, Karaganda, Pechora and Kuznetsk basins is caused by evolution of coal-forming plants of upper Paleozoic and is reflected in the petrographic composition of coals. Plant mass of peat bogs with high content of proteins and lipids become the cause of floristic restorability (Prfl) under the influence of climatic, paleogeographic factors and the evolution of plants. Indicators Pg (degree of coal gelification) and Prfl (degree of coal restorability) are proved to reveal features of sedimentogenesis of different coals basins better than petrographic composition indexes do.

The paper considers the problem of distribution and tectonic setting of the largest gold deposits in folded and folded-blocked belts of different types and ages. We present a generalized scheme showing a distribution of 14 giant deposits (with the amount of mined metal, remaining gold reserves and economical gold resources of more than 1000 tons) as well as other deposits with reserves being smaller in mineralization but close to the giant ones. Spatial distribution of deposits in relation to regional faults, accompanying faults, high-orders (3-5'th) faults has been shown, as well as ore-bearing environment that is most favorable for the localization of the largest accumulations of ore and gold reserves.

Technique of registration of 2D variations of the thermal properties of rock samples with the optical scanning method is described. Results of registration of spatial variations of the thermal conductivity for samples of several types of rocks are given. Spatial distribution of rock thermal anisotropy coefficient is shown for an anisotropic rock sample. It was established that 2D distribution of rock porosity can be obtained through correlation between thermal conductivity and porosity. It is shown that registration of spatial variations in thermal properties of full size core sample provides for more reasonable selection of an area of the core sample for following special petrophysical investigations.

The results of simultaneous observations of the vertical component of the seismic field in Voronezh (Russia) and non-tidal variations of gravity in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) are considered in the paper. Pulsations are observed in gravity and seismic fields. Ripples of non-tidal variations of gravity and seismic fields exist simultaneously in the mentioned sites. The frequency characteristics are also synchronous and identical. Pulsations have periods of oscillations in the range 0-20 min (preferably - 8 minutes).

The problem of determination of principle axes in anisotropic formation in non-circular boreholes is studied with numerical simulation of acoustic logging measurements. The processing algorithms for acoustic logging data used in practice involve propagation of two orthogonally polarized waves along borehole axis that correspond to dipole modes. However, the oscillation directions of dipole modes in elliptical boreholes are shown to be substantially non-orthogonal and depend on frequency spectrum of the source signal. This leads to incorrect determination of principle directions in the considered transversely-isotropic media. The results for principle directions obtained after processing are compared with eigenvectors for dipole modes calculated independently with semi-analytical finite element method (SAFE). The application of frequency filters and «non-orthogonal» processing algorithms is proved to be effective for validation and accuracy improvement of the obtained directions.

The most general mathematical models of transmission of mechanical energy from the drilling rig and boring pump in a mining hole are considered in the paper. Additive, proportional and generalized models of process of transmission of energy are grounded and offered. The base additive mathematical model of transmission of mechanical energy is underlain in the basis of the traditional method of calculation of energy consumption at well-drilling and calculation of hydraulic resistances in a mining hole. Basic property of the additive model is absence of cross-coupling of different parts of transmission of energy. The base proportional mathematical model of transmission of mechanical energy is characterized by the followings properties: the values of the coefficient of efficiency of the parts of transmission of energy ratios stay unchanging; general coefficient of efficiency of all areas remains unchanging; at the different areas of transmission of energy the spent power changes in different number of times; the areas of transmission of energy mutually influence on each other; the maximum degree of influence is possessed by the last area, the least one is in the first area.

The system defects of the federal legislation on subsoil are shown. They include such problems as: base terms meanings; formation of the strategies and programs in subsoil use sector; regulation of the property relations and order of licensing. More thorough account of the federal legislation about strategic planning in subsoil use sector is important. The present institutional norms don’t take into account the demands of the economic diversification, the increase of the products of mineral processing. That’s why the subsoil use sector is recommended to be applied with federal legislation concepts of industrial policy, which main task is to declare the transmission to the innovational type of the economy.

The reasons of actualization of processes of the integration of science, education, industry in economics are considered. The post-reform economical situation didn’t help the development of the persistent long-term integration of industrial, scientific and educational organizations. The main factors, hampering this integration, are systemized. The experience of the integration of the industrial, scientific, educational structures in the subsoil use sector. The principals of the organization of integrated activity are worked out, which concern: actualization of the needs of the industry in innovations and competitive staff; accounting of the factor of «fall down» of the market in state regulation; the balanced industrial, scientific-technical and educational policy at macro- and meso-levels; the presence of leading organization in the interaction; project approach to the interaction activity. The organizational-management algorithm of creation of educational-scientific-industrial cluster is recommended.

The 2016 year is a year of the 100th anniversary of the death of the outstanding Russian geologist and paleontologist, one of the first investigators of Cretaceous deposits of Crimea and Caucasus, Nikolay Ivanovitch Karakash. His researches of Caucasas are emphasized to have significantly improved the stratigraphic scheme of Cretaceous deposits. The paper considers the contribution of N.I. Karakash in Lower Cretaceous deposits of Crimea, where Nikolay Ivanovitch took part in a 10-verst geological survey from 1898 till 1912. The result of these investigations was the paleonto-logicaly proven scheme of Lower Cretaceous, which was published in 1907 in a fundamental monograph «Lower Cretaceous deposits of Crimea and its fauna». N.I. Karakash did not limit himself only by paleontological-stratigraphic problems. He was also interested in hydrogeological investigations, mineral resources studies, geological surveys for building of railways, slideslopes investigations. Brief data on biography of the scientist are given.

An ichnofossil association is established in the shales of the Bagovskaya Formation (Lower-Middle Toarcian, Lower Jurassic) in the southern periphery of the town of Guzeripl’ (Republic of Adygeya). It includes Megagrapton irregulare Ksiazkiewicz, 1968, Helminthopsis isp. and ? Chondrites isp.; also Planolites isp. is present in some layers. This association characterizes the Nereites ichnofacies (probably, Paleodyction subichnofacies) and indicates the turbidite sedimentation at the foot of the continental slope. The findings of trace fossils allow the conclusion about unstable character of oxygen depletion on the studied territory. The rapid change of depositional environments interpreted on the basis of ichnofossils findings influenced negatively on marine paleoecosystems. The established locality of trace fossils is also of geoconservation and geotourism importance, and it can be used for the purposes of educational excursions.

Features of carrying out of engineering-geological researches for building of linear constructions during updating of normative documents: Construction Norms and Regulations 11-02-96. «Engineering researches for construction. Basic provisions» and Sanitary Rules 11-105-97 «Engineering-geological researches for construction. Part 1» are considered. The analysis and comparison of earlier acting document (Sanitary Rules 11-105-97) and actualized one (Sanitary Rules 47.13330.2012 «Engineering researches for construction. Basic provisions») is carried out., the main differences influencing the carrying out of engineering-geological researches for linear constructions are allocated. Comments of the expert organizations on the example of engineering-geological researches under construction of the cable communication line are considered.

The problem of improving the autonomous energetic complexes of drilling rigs for exploratory drilling is considered. The experience of exploitation of heat recovery systems (HRS) with air coolant allowed revealing of key problems, limited maximum effective use of complex autonomous energy source: «rigid» connection of the systems of heating of the drilling rig and cooling of diesel aggregate; straight dependence of the power of utilized heat on the value of charge of the diesel aggregate; labour absorptivity of heat of the mobile diesel power stations. To solve the problem some constructive alternations and additions are suggested to be made in HRS, allowing separation of heat currents in the system. This leads to the independent work of the subsystem of heat supply from the operational charges of the diesel aggregate of the energetic complex. The system of automatic regulation of heat recovery complex in the autonomous energetic complex of drilling rig of exploratory drilling.