Non-ferrous metal ores. Deposit of non-ferrous and precious metals

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In a broad sense, “non-ferrous metals” refers to the industrial name for all metals and their alloys with the exception of iron, manganese, chromium and their alloys. In a narrow sense, non-ferrous metals - the main raw materials of non-ferrous metallurgy - include aluminum, bismuth, tungsten, cobalt, magnesium, copper, molybdenum, nickel, tin, mercury, lead, antimony and zinc.

In terms of scale of production and consumption, aluminum ranks second after iron and first among non-ferrous metals. Currently, the whole world annually smelts more than 20 million tons of primary aluminum. Alumina, from which the metal is obtained, is produced throughout the world from bauxite. In terms of its reserves it ranks only tenth. Moreover, only bauxite can be considered high quality. For this reason, part of our alumina is produced from nepheline ores. In 2003, 5.1 million tons of bauxite were mined. Russia is the world's second largest producer of aluminum (14–15% of world production) after (17%).

In terms of proven copper reserves, our country is in third place in the world after the United States and or. Russia's share in world reserves is less than 10% (in 2003 - 83.1 million tons). Over 10 years, proven reserves in the country decreased by 6.5%. The industry is provided with proven reserves of developed deposits for 58 years (120 explored deposits). The world's largest deposits include the Oktyabrskoye, Talnakhskoye, Gaiskoye and Udokanskoye deposits, which account for about 70% of Russian copper reserves. In 2003, production reached 752 thousand tons (4.7% of the world level). The main mining enterprises in Russia are located in the Norilsk region (about 66% of production) and in the Urals.

In Russia, 88 deposits of lead and 124 deposits of zinc have been explored; the share of large deposits (Kholodninskoye, Ozernoye, Korbalikhinskoye, Uzelginskoye, Uchalinskoye, Gaiskoye, Gorevskoye, Kyzyl-Tashtygsky, Podolsky, Yubileiny and Nikolaevsky) accounts for three quarters of the explored reserves. More than half of the reserves are concentrated in Eastern Siberia. Resources and reserves of lead in the ground are estimated at 29.2 million tons, zinc - 78 million tons, which is respectively 2.2% and 5.3% of world resources (sixth and third places in the world). The main part of them is concentrated in the Republic of Buryatia, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Chita Region, Altai and Primorsky Territories and in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. An analysis of the state of the mineral resource base suggests that in the coming years, problems with meeting the country’s internal needs with domestic zinc will not arise, but Russia will be forced to import lead on an even larger scale.

Russia ranks first in the world in terms of proven nickel reserves (more than 25% of world reserves), and third in terms of cobalt reserves (over 7%). Nickel and cobalt reserves are accounted for in the ores of 28 deposits. Most of the nickel resources are predicted in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in the Murmansk region, in the Middle and, that is, in the areas of operating enterprises. The overwhelming majority of cobalt in Russia (about 1 million tons) is associated with nickel deposits, where cobalt is a by-product. Our country is a leader in the extraction of nickel ores and the production of primary nickel (20–25% of world production). In 2002, the production level exceeded the level of 1992, and metal smelting amounted to 98.9%. In terms of production of refined cobalt, Russia is in fifth–sixth place in the world (15–17% of global production). The volume of primary cobalt production in 2002 was 94% of the 1991 level.

In terms of explored reserves of tin, Russia ranks one of the first in the world, but in terms of the quality of ores it is inferior to foreign producers. In addition, in Russia, 90% of tin is extracted from primary deposits, while in the main tin-mining countries more than 75% of tin is extracted from placers. The supply of tin reserves that are profitable for mining is about 35 years. Resource potential The tin mining industry in Russia is 1037 thousand tons of metal (eighth place in the world). Over the past 10 years, Russia has moved from fourth to eighth place in the world in the production of tin in concentrate.

Russia ranks first in the world in terms of proven tungsten reserves; in terms of predicted resources - third (854 thousand tons). 94 tungsten deposits were taken into account, including 52 primary and 42 placer deposits, of which 25 deposits where tungsten is an associated component, and 17 with off-balance reserves. 72% of reserves come from low-grade ore deposits (average tungsten oxide content - 0.15%). Among deposits with rich ores, only Vostok-2 and Lermontovskoye (Primorsky Territory) are competitive, where the tungsten oxide content in the ores is 0.8–0.9% and 1.7–2.1%, respectively. The largest reserves of tungsten are concentrated in and in.

In terms of proven reserves of molybdenum, Russia ranks third after the United States and Chile. 42.5% of confirmed molybdenum reserves are located in developed deposits, in the areas of these deposits - 3.8%, in other developed areas - 16%, in undeveloped areas - 37.7%. Reserves suitable for profitable development (economic) account for 50% of explored ones, including 32% in mining areas, 18% in undeveloped areas. The predicted resources amount to 1,580 thousand tons, the bulk of them are concentrated in the eastern regions, where there are prospects for discovering new deposits.

In Russia, 237 gold ore and 123 gold-bearing complex deposits have been explored, of which about one third is exploited. Total: gold reserves of categories A, B, C1 - 5.7 thousand tons; reserves of category C2 - 2.4 thousand tons. The main resources, reserves and main production enterprises are concentrated in the North-Eastern, East Siberian, Far Eastern and Ural regions. In Russia, almost half (45%) of the metal is mined from placers, the share of which in total gold production before 2000 exceeded 60%. The future of the domestic gold mining industry is connected with the development of primary deposits.

In terms of primary gold production, our country is in 5th place (after the USA, Australia and Canada). In 2000, Russia produced 144 tons of gold, in 2005 - 168 tons worth 73 billion rubles. (0.39% of gross domestic product; 6% of world production). Of the 29 gold-mining subjects of the Russian Federation, only 13 produce more than 1000 kg per year. Domestic gold consumption in the country is 1.5% of the world.

In terms of the number of forecast resources and proven reserves of silver, Russia ranks first in the world. 245 deposits have been taken into account, licenses have been issued for 153 of them (78% of reserves), 88 objects are being developed. More than 75% of resources and reserves are concentrated in the east of the country. Prospects for discovering large deposits of silver ores are associated with the Okhotsk-Chukotka and Verkhoyansk regions. Expansion of the mineral resource base is possible due to the silver deposits of non-ferrous metals in the Ural, Transbaikal, Norilsk-Talnakh regions.

In terms of reserves of platinum group metals, Russia ranks second in the world after South Africa. Almost all explored reserves of platinum group metals (up to 96–97%) are concentrated in the Norilsk-Talnakh mining and industrial region. The predominant part of the ores explored here are high-grade - the content of the main platinum group metals in them is higher than in the ores of the Stillwater deposit (USA), where it is 22.5 g/t. Less than 1% of the reserves of platinum group metals are located in the exploited copper-nickel deposits of the Pechenga region, the rest is in other deposits in (Fedorovo-Panskoye, Gory Generalskaya and Monchegorsk), in (Burakovsky), as well as in placers in the north of the Khabarovsk Territory and the Koryak Highlands .
Russia ranks second in the world after South Africa in the production of platinum group metals. We receive four times less platinum than in South Africa, and one and a half times more palladium. Currently, Russia produces 18% of the world's platinum; in the future, this share will decrease as new mines are commissioned in South Africa, the USA, and. Russia's share in global palladium production (including production from recycled materials) is 45% (in 1997 - 60%).
The Norilsk-Talnakh mining region provides 83–85% of domestic production of platinum group metals.

3. Non-ferrous metal ores

Non-ferrous metal ores are divided into two main groups: light aluminum, magnesium and heavy copper, zinc, lead, tin. Among light non-ferrous metals, aluminum dominates in terms of production and consumption volumes.

Aluminum - aluminum ore was discovered in 1865. In 1886, a method for producing aluminum by electrolysis of cryolite alumina melts was invented. Aluminum, due to its lightness, density 2.7 g/cm3, high electrical conductivity, high corrosion resistance and sufficient mechanical strength especially in alloys with Cu, Si, Mg, Mn, Zn, Ni and other metals, it has found application in aviation (called winged metal), automotive and electrical industries, transport, construction, and in the manufacture of packaging materials. Some varieties of bauxite are used to produce abrasives and refractories.

Under endogenous conditions, aluminum is concentrated in alkaline nepheline and leucite-bearing rocks and anorthosites. It also accumulates during alunitization processes associated with hydrothermal processing of acidic volcanic formations.

Under exogenous conditions, aluminum in the form of colloidal compounds migrates and precipitates in the coastal zone of water bodies.

Aluminum is a component of about 250 minerals, but the ones that are currently of industrial importance are boehmite and diaspores AlO(OH), gibbsite hydrargillite Al(OH)3, nepheline Na34, leucite K and alunite KAl3(OH)62. Kyanite, sillimanite, andalusite and kaolinite are promising for aluminum extraction.

Bauxite is the most important aluminum ore. It is a rock consisting of aluminum hydroxyls, iron oxides and hydroxides, clay minerals and quartz. In industrial bauxite, the Al2O3 content is more than 28%, the Al2O3SiO2 ratio is not less than 2.6, the iron content should be less than 7.5%. All bauxite deposits are exogenous formations.

Bauxite is characterized by a high alumina content of 51-62%, low silica content of 1-2%, and iron oxides of 2-6%.

Magnesium is one of the most common metals in earth's crust. It is part of many minerals: carbonates, silicates, etc.

The most important of these minerals include, in particular, carbon dioxide carbonate rocks, which form huge massifs on land and even entire mountain ranges - magnesite MgCO3 and dolomite MgCO3ћCaCO3. Under layers of various alluvial rocks, together with deposits of rock salt, colossal deposits of another easily soluble magnesium-containing mineral - carnallite MgCl2ћKClћ6H2O are known. On the surface of the Earth, magnesium easily forms hydrous silicates, talc and asbestos, an example of which is serpentine 3MgOћ2SiO2ћ2H2O. However, natural magnesium compounds are widely found in dissolved form. In addition to various minerals and rocks, 0.13% magnesium in the form of MgCl2 is constantly found in ocean waters and in salt lakes and springs. Magnesium metal was first obtained in 1828. The main method for producing magnesium is the electrolysis of molten carnallite or MgCl2. Magnesium metal is important for National economy. It is used in the manufacture of ultra-light alloys for aviation and rocket technology, as an alloying component in aluminum alloys, as a reducing agent in the thermal production of magnesium metals, titanium, zirconium, in the production of high-strength “magnesium” cast iron with included graphite.

Copper has a complex of remarkable properties - high electrical conductivity, chemical resistance, ductility, and the ability to form alloys with various metals. The most widely used alloys are copper with tin, bronze and zinc, brass, with nickel cupronickel and aluminum, aluminum bronze. Alloys are used in electrical engineering, communications, transport, mechanical engineering, food and chemical industries industry. In terms of production and consumption, copper ranks third after iron and aluminum.

Copper is extracted from sulfide ores up to 80%. The rest of the production comes from carbonates, oxides, silicates and native copper. The minimum industrial content is 1%; with large reserves of complex ores, a content of 0.5% is allowed as acceptable for industrial mining.

Copper deposits are very diverse. Industrial deposits include: igneous, carbonatite, skarn, hydrothermal plutonogenic porphyry copper, sulfide, stratiform cuprous sandstones and shales.

Copper ores form a zone over 3 km long. There are about 200 ore bodies at the deposit, most of They are composed of copper sulfide, titanomagnetite and apatite ores. The main minerals are bornite, chalcopyrite, some chalcocite, vanadium-containing titanomagnetite, and apatite. The copper sulfide compound has a disseminated character. Average Cu content 0.65%. The main industrial component is copper, Fe, V, Ti and P are significant. Impurities of Au, Ag, Pd, Pt, Se and Te are noted.

Lead and zinc have been known since ancient times. In Mesopotamia and Egypt it was used 6-7 thousand years BC. e. Currently, most lead is used to make batteries (63%), the rest is used in the production of dyes and chemicals, cable sheaths, alloys, ammunition and other products. Zinc is used in the production of galvanized steel (47%), brass, bronze and other alloys (19%), injection molding (14%) and other products.

Both elements are characterized by distinct chalcophile properties. They are carried out by hydrothermal solutions in the form of complex compounds and precipitate in the form of sulfides at temperatures below 3000C.

The main minerals of lead are galena PbS, usually containing impurities of Ag, Bi, Sb, jamesonite Pb4FeSb6S14, boulangerite Pb5Sb4S11; in the oxidation zone there is cerussite PbCO3 and anglesite PbSO4. The main zinc minerals are sphalerite ZnS, containing impurities of Cd, In, Ga, Ge; in the oxidation zone, smithsonite ZnCO3 and calamine Zn4 (OH)2 H2O.

The main industrial minerals of lead-zinc ores are galena and sphalerite.

Lead-zinc ores of simple composition. Polymetallic ores are complex. In addition to the two main metals, Cu, Sb, Bi, and Sn may be present in varying quantities. Associated components of ores Cd, Au, Ag, Se, Te, Ge, Ga, Ta, In. Polymetallic ores contain more than 80% of the world's reserves of Cd, about 50% of Tl, 25-30% of Ge, 20-25 of Se, Te, In, 15-20% of Ga and Bi. These ores provide 50% of the world's Ag production. Lead-zinc ores are classified as rich when the Pb content is more than 4% or Pb and Zn more than 7%. Low-grade ores are characterized by a Pb content of 1.2-2% or the sum of Pb and Zn not lower than 4%.

Lead and zinc are extracted mainly from complex ores containing Cu, Au, Ag and other metals. Among the industrial deposits of Pb and Zn, the following are distinguished: skarn, plutonogenic hydrothermal, sulfide, stratiform. Lead-zinc deposits are associated with volcanoplutonic associations. Ore bodies are associated with calcareous skarns; they are located at a distance from contacts with intrusions and are characterized by complex morphology. The composition of skarns is determined by the predominance of hedenbergite; garnet and wollastonite are present in smaller quantities. The ores are usually rich, solid and disseminated. Pb content 6-12%, Zn 6-14%, Ag 30-300 g/t. The ratio of Pb and Zn is close to 1:1. Typical trace elements are Cd, Sn, Cu, In, Bi, Ag, Sb.

Tin is one of the first metals mastered by man.

The chemical stability of Sn and the non-toxicity of its salts and alloys have led to its widespread use in the form of tinplate in the canning industry (32% of production). In addition, tin is used to produce bronzes, brass, babbitt 22%, solders 29%, typographic fonts and chemical industry 15%, in the production of dyes, in the glass and textile industries. Tin is a mobile element, carried out from the magma chamber by hydrothermal solutions. Under exogenous conditions, cassiterite is stable and forms placers. A total of 20 tin minerals are known, of which cassiterite SnO2 is of industrial importance, stanine Cu2FeSnS4 and some other rarer minerals are used to a lesser extent.

Rich ores of primary deposits contain more than 1% tin, ordinary ores - 0.4%, poor - 0.1-0.4%. Placers are developed with a cassiterite content of 100-200 g/m3, sometimes it can reach kg/m3 of rock.

Tin is extracted from tin and complex tin tungsten, tin silver and tin polymetallic ores.

List of used literature

1. Avdonin V.V. Deposits of metallic minerals 1999

2. Smirnov V.I. Course of ore deposits 2nd ed. 1986

3. Eremin N.I. Non-metallic minerals 2004

4. Romanovich I.F. Mineral deposits 1986

5. Alekseenko V. A. Geochemical methods for searching for mineral deposits 1989.

6. Kolotov B.A. Fundamentals of prospecting for ore deposits 1983

The main non-ferrous metals include copper, zinc, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, tin, lead, nickel. The extraction of non-ferrous metals is due to the widespread use of these elements in various branches of human activity. It is impossible to imagine life today without aluminum, which is widely used in aircraft construction, copper, the main element for the production of electrical cables, zinc, used as a corrosion-resistant layer in steel production, lead, plates from which are used to protect against penetrating radiation, and chemical compounds are used to produce powerful explosives(lead nitrate) and detonators (lead azide). This is only a small part of the industries whose existence requires the extraction of non-ferrous metals and their processing. That is why the non-ferrous metallurgical industry is so widely developed in the world today.

Let's look at the deposits of the most common non-ferrous metals in industry:

1) Copper. Copper ores are distinguished by a very low copper content in the ore (from 0.3 to 3%), usually occurring together with zinc, lead, and, less often, gold and silver. The main copper deposits in Russia include:

Degtyarskoye, Krasnouralskoye, Kirovogradskoye, Revdinskoye - located in the Sverdlovsk region (Urals); Udokan deposit - in the Chelyabinsk region; The Urupskoye and Khudesskre deposits are in the North Caucasus (Stavropol Territory). Of these, the highest copper content is found in the Udokan deposit (14 million tons).

The largest copper deposits in the world are the Chuquicamata (26 million tons) and Escondida (23.6 million tons) deposits, located in Chile. Interestingly, the Chuquicamata deposit began to be processed more than 100 years ago. Also considered large deposits are: Graserg (27.1 million tons) in Indonesia, Collahuasi (17 million tons) in Chile, Antamina in Peru, Salobu and Socegu in Brazil, Nurkazgan in Kazakhstan, etc.

2) Zinc. Unlike copper, which was the main metal mastered by man (the Copper Age), it is not found in nature as a native metal. Zinc is mined from polymetallic ores containing 1-4% Zn in the form of sulfide. That is, the classification of zinc deposits as such is essentially meaningless - since zinc is extracted from ore as a secondary product, and therefore can be classified as all of the above deposits.

3) Lead. Lead is also not subject to classification into individual deposits. Since it is extracted, like zinc, as a secondary product from polymetallic ores. Lead-zinc ores, which are characterized by a higher content of lead and zinc, deserve special attention; however, these ores also contain copper, silver, gold, bismuth, etc.

4) Aluminum. Al is a highly active chemical element, so it cannot be found in nature in its pure form. Bauxite is the main industrial raw material for the aluminum industry; its reserves are very unevenly distributed and limited. There are seven bauxite-bearing areas in the world:

Western and Central Africa (main deposits in Guinea);

South America: Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana;

Caribbean: Jamaica;

Oceania and southern Asia: Australia, India;

Mediterranean: Greece and Türkiye;

Ural (Russia);

According to the US Geological Survey, the world's bauxite resources are estimated at 55-76 billion tons, which are distributed between individual regions as follows: Africa - 32%, South America and the Caribbean - 21%, Asia - 18%, other regions - 6%.

5) Nickel. Typically, deposits of sulfide and silicate nickel ores containing 1-2% Ni are developed. According to their specifications, nickel deposits are divided into:

Copper-nickel sulfide deposits: Norilskoye (including Talnakhskoye and Oktyabrskoye), Monchegorskoye, Kaula, etc.

Nickel silicate and cobalt-nickel silicate, predominantly sheet-like deposits of the Southern Urals and Bug region, as well as deposits of Cuba, Indonesia, New Caledonia and Australia.

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Federal State Educational Institution

higher professional education

"Siberian Academy of Public Administration"

Institute for Retraining of Specialists

Course work

in the discipline "Economics of Siberia"

Subject: Non-ferrous metals

(mineral resource potential and its development in Siberia)

Student: Pozdnyakova L.I.

Teacher:,

Novosibirsk 2007

Introduction

Ores of light non-ferrous metals

Ores of heavy non-ferrous metals

Minor metal ores

Rare metal ores

Conclusion

Introduction

Non-ferrous metallurgy Western Siberia's share with ferrous metallurgy is only 5%. And its share in Russia in production is 4.9%. In the last decade, the development of non-ferrous metallurgy, and in particular the West Siberian aluminum industry, was associated with the construction of powerful hydroelectric power stations on the rivers of Siberia.

Basically, all non-ferrous metallurgy is based on imported raw materials of apatite and tin concentrate from mining and processing plants in the Far East and Eastern Siberia. The development of local ores is complicated by serious problems. Firstly, the local ore has a complex composition. Developing the technology to use it is not easy. Secondly, the environmental vulnerability of the area is very high.

The aluminum industry can be called the only industrial sector that withstood the years of destructive and steep economic disruption, practically did not reduce production volumes and not only lives, breathes, but also develops. This seems all the more surprising since the defense industry, which consumed the lion's share of the winged metal, sharply reduced orders due to large-scale cuts in the production of military equipment, and many other partners, having no money, did not receive supplies from aluminum smelters. It seemed that the collapse of the industry was inevitable. But in life everything turned out differently; today Russia still firmly holds a leading position in the world in aluminum production, ranking second after the United States.

At non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises in the Novosibirsk region, production increased in June by 66.2%, since the beginning of the year by 23.6% compared to the corresponding period in 1995. Over the first half of the year, the production of metal molybdenum increased by 1.3 times, tin by 1.5 times, and gold production by 1.7 times. Basically, all non-ferrous metallurgy is based on imported raw materials of apatite and tin concentrate from mining and processing plants in the Far East and Eastern Siberia. The development of local ores is complicated by serious problems. Firstly, the local ore has a complex composition. Developing the technology to use it is not easy. Secondly, the environmental vulnerability of the area is very high.

ORES OF LIGHT NON-FERROUS METALS

Non-ferrous metals are divided into two main groups: light (aluminum, magnesium, titanium) and heavy (copper, zinc, lead, nickel, cobalt). Among light non-ferrous metals, aluminum dominates in terms of production and consumption volumes.

Aluminum. Feedstock For the production of aluminum metal, alumina is used, which is obtained by processing minerals such as bauxite and nephelines ore.

The predicted bauxite resources of Russia amount to 290 million tons (1.5% of the world). They are concentrated mainly in the Belgorod (40%) and Sverdlovsk (34%) regions, as well as the Komi Republic (16%).

In terms of bauxite reserves, Russia, significantly inferior to the leading countries in this regard - Guinea, Brazil and Australia, now ranks 9th in the world. Domestic bauxite reserves are located mainly in the Komi Republic (29%), Sverdlovsk (27%) and Arkhangelsk (23%) regions.

The quality of Russian bauxite is generally low. Their silicon modulus does not exceed 20, so they require significantly more energy to process into alumina. Only 48 % Russia's bauxite reserves can be exploited profitably.

Balance reserves of bauxite in Russia are recorded by deposit. The seven most important of them contain about 70 % reserves, and six of these deposits provide over 90% of all domestic bauxite production.

The highest quality Russian bauxites (silicon module 10-20) are located in the North Ural region (SUBR) in Sverdlovsk region(Kalinskoye, Novokalinskoye, Krasnaya Shapochka and Cheremukhovskoye deposits) .

Bauxites from the Vezhayu-Vorykvinskoye deposit in Middle Timan (Komi Republic) have a much lower modulus (about 6). However, this deposit is exploited by open-pit mining, has significant reserves, and therefore the profitability of bauxite mining here is the highest in Russia.

The supply of proven reserves to mining enterprises in Russia as a whole exceeds 140 years. However, for specific mines it is noticeably lower. For example, the supply life of the North Ural mine is 55 years. Middle Timan -50.

Russia is the only country in the world where low-quality raw materials such as nepheline ores and concentrates.

The explored reserves of nepheline ores amount to 4.6 billion tons. The active part of these reserves, recorded in seven exploited deposits in the Murmansk and Kemerovo regions, is equal to 2.4 billion tons.

More than 80% of nepheline ore reserves are located in the deposits of the Khibiny group in the Murmansk region. Nepheline is obtained here as a by-product during the enrichment of apatite ores.

The volume of production of nepheline ores at the Kiya-Shaltyrskoye deposit in 2001 amounted to about 3.7 million tons, at the deposits of the Khibiny group - 1.0 million tons.

In terms of alumina production (3.0 million tons in 2001), Russia ranks sixth in the world. All of it is produced from domestic raw materials: 60% from bauxite at three factories in the Sverdlovsk and Leningrad regions, 40 % - from nepheline concentrate at two plants in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Leningrad Region.

The needs of Russian aluminum smelters for alumina are covered by domestic raw materials by only 45%. The rest of it is imported from Ukraine, Kazakhstan and non-CIS countries.

Despite the acute shortage of raw materials, due to the lack of large deposits of high-quality bauxite in Russia, the domestic aluminum industry has successfully emerged from the crisis and has become one of the leaders in the world market. Russia ranks second in the world in the production of primary aluminum (3.3 million tons in 2001). It is produced at 11 factories, and most of it (83 %) - in Siberian federal district, where 5 factories are located and where there are cheap sources of electricity (the main component of costs in the production of aluminum metal).

Titanium. Russia has large reserves of titanium ores. They are concentrated on 19 deposits, of which 7 are alluvial. Profitable in modern conditions Only 68% of explored reserves turn out to be. The bulk of active titanium reserves are contained in the Medvedevek primary deposit ( Chelyabinsk region) and several placer deposits: Central (Tambov region), Lukoyanovsky ( Nizhny Novgorod Region), Yaresk (Komi Republic), Tarsk (Omsk region) and Ordynsk ( Novosibirsk region). All placer deposits are complex and, in addition to titanium, contain industrial quantities of zirconium.

The Ordynskoye and Tarskoye deposits in the Siberian region, represented by a horizontal layer of ore sands with a thickness of about 4 m and lying at a depth of 60 m (Tarskoye) and 140 m (Ordynskoye), have huge reserves and even greater prospects for their growth. For example, only in a small (5.9 km) explored area of the Ordynskaya placer, the increase in reserves of titanium dioxide as of January 1, 2000 amounted to 412.8 thousand tons, zirconium dioxide - 102.6 thousand tons. The main difficulty in their development is in the absence of a proven technology for the extraction of ore sands from a depth of 60-140 m. The hydraulic well mining method used here on an experimental basis has not yet met the unanimous approval of specialists.

ORES OF HEAVY NON-FERROUS METALS

Copper. The forecast copper resources of Russia are estimated at 66.5 million tons. Most of them are located in the Ural (32.5%), Siberian (21.1%), Volga (17). %) and Far Eastern (16.4%) federal districts.

In terms of copper reserves (about 9% of the world's), Russia ranks third in the world after Chile and the United States. Approximately 65 % exploration data and 85% of pre-estimated reserves are concentrated in the Siberian Federal District. In terms of the structure of copper reserves, Russia differs from leading countries. If the main type of deposits there is copper-porphyry, then in Russia it is sulfide copper-nickel, copper-pyrite and the type of copper sandstone.

Copper reserves are accounted for in Russia at 124 deposits, but more than 80% of these reserves are concentrated in only 12 of them. The most important are the sulfide copper-nickel deposits Oktyabrskoye, Talnakh and Norilsk-1 in the Taimyr Autonomous Okrug. They account for over 40 % domestic copper reserves categories A + B +d and over 60% - category C 2.

Another very large copper deposit in Russia is Udokanskoye (Chita region). It belongs to the type of cuprous sandstones and contains 22.3% of all copper reserves of the categories A + B + C\ and 33.2 % -- categories WITH 2 with an average copper content of 1.56%. This deposit is still in the unallocated subsoil fund. Its development is hampered by the lack of transport routes (the construction of a railway line to it was supposed to be completed in 2003).

Among the deposits of copper-pyrite type, which are distributed mainly in the Southern and Middle Urals, the most significant is Gayskoye (Orenburg region). It is significantly smaller than Norilsk, nevertheless it accounts for 8 % proven copper reserves of Russia.

The increase in copper reserves during geological exploration in recent years compensated for only 25% of the reserves extinguished during mining. At the same time, the domestic copper industry is provided with proven reserves for more than 90 years. At the same time, the rich copper-nickel ores of the Norilsk region will last for about 20 years. The copper mines of the Urals are provided with reserves for underground mining for 34 years, for open-pit mining - for no more than 9 years.

Copper production in commercial ore in Russia in 2001 amounted to 693 thousand tons. Almost two-thirds of this volume was produced by enterprises of the Norilsk region, more than 30% by enterprises of the Ural copper-ore region.

The production of metallic (refined) copper, including from imported (mainly Mongolian) concentrates, reached 871 thousand tons in Russia in 2001. In the early 90s of the 20th century, domestic consumption of refined copper in Russia fell by more than 4 times. Therefore, domestic copper producers began to focus on the foreign market, and since then its exports have been continuously growing, exceeding 86% by 1999.

Lead and zinc. The forecast resources of lead and zinc in Russia are estimated at 9 million tons, respectively (1 % world) and 32.4 million tons (2.2% of the world). The main share of lead resources falls on the Siberian (62%) and Far Eastern (27%) federal districts, and zinc resources - on the Siberian (36%), Ural (28%) and Volga (18%).

Explored reserves of lead in Russia amount to 14.0 million tons (11.5% of the world), zinc - 45.6 million tons (15.3% of the world). Russia ranks third in the world in terms of proven reserves of lead, and first in terms of zinc reserves. The overwhelming majority of known lead reserves are concentrated in the Siberian Federal District - 88.5%; zinc reserves - in Siberian (67.1 %) and Volga (20.4%) districts.

Lead reserves are recorded in Russia in 96 deposits, zinc reserves in 126. Moreover, 3/4 of all explored reserves are accounted for by only the ten largest deposits, such as Gorevskoye (Krasnoyarsk Territory), Ozernoye and Kholodninskoye (Republic of Buryatia), Nikolaevskoye ( Primorsky Territory), Korba-Likhinskoye (Altai Territory), Gayskoye, Uzelginskoye, Uchalinskoye, Novouchalinskoye (Urals) and Kyzyl-Tashtygskoye (Republic of Tyva).

The Gorsvskoye deposit, the exploitation of which has already begun, contains 40.3% of all domestic lead reserves and 2.3% of zinc reserves.

The Kholodninskoye and Ozernoye deposits, which contain 25% of Russian lead reserves and 46% of zinc reserves, have not yet been developed and are in an unallocated fund. Their development is hampered by both serious environmental problems (both deposits are located in the protected zone of Lake Baikal) and the almost complete absence of the necessary infrastructure.

The Korbalikhinskoye deposit contains 3.3% of lead reserves and 5% of zinc reserves in Russia. The deposit was transferred to operation by OJSC Siberia - Polymetal.

The increase in lead and zinc reserves obtained in Russia in 2001 compensated for only 32 and 7.6, respectively. % the volume of their repayment during production. Similar dynamics have been observed continuously since 1991 for lead and since 1996 for zinc.

The supply of existing Russian enterprises with reserves of lead and zinc ranges from 8 to 80 years. It is lowest at the Salair, Nerchinsk and Sadonsky plants. The prospects for extending the life of their work on their own raw materials are very limited.

The production of lead and zinc in Russia in 2001 amounted to 311 and 261 thousand tons, respectively. At the same time, about 85% of the zinc was obtained at the enterprises of the Urals, and most of the lead was obtained at the enterprises of the Primorsky and Krasnoyarsk territories (41 % and 34%). Domestic production of metal (refined) lead and zinc in 2001 amounted to 60 thousand tons, respectively (1 % world) and 250 thousand tons (3% of the world). About half of this volume was obtained by processing imported (mainly Kazakh) concentrates.

During the years of perestroika, Russia has become a major exporter of refined zinc. In 2001, 110 thousand tons were exported (this is 3.1% of world exports). On the contrary, lead was an import item. In 2001, 40 thousand tons of refined lead and 20 thousand tons of lead in concentrates were imported into Russia.

Nickel and cobalt. The predicted nickel resources in Russia are estimated at 22.3 million tons, of which 86% are sulfide-type copper-nickel ores and 14% are silicate-type nickel ores. The largest part of the resources is located in the Murmansk region (36%) and Taimyr Autonomous Okrug (24%). The bulk of cobalt reserves and predicted resources in Russia are associated with nickel deposits, where cobalt is an associated component (50% of cobalt category resources R G concentrated in the Taimyr Autonomous Okrug).

Russia ranks first in the world in terms of nickel reserves, and fifth in terms of cobalt reserves. The bulk of explored nickel reserves are concentrated in the Taimyr Autonomous Okrug (69.3%), Murmansk (19.4%) and Orenburg (8.0%). %) areas. And about 90 % of all reserves are copper-nickel ores of the sulfide type. The bulk of cobalt reserves are also confined to them.

The state balance accounts for 39 nickel deposits and 59 cobalt deposits. However, more than 70% of proven reserves are concentrated in a small group of Norilsk deposits, which are the basis of the mineral resource base of the cobalt-nickel industry in Russia. The ores here are characterized by extremely high quality (nickel content is 3.1-3.6%, cobalt - up to OD%), which ensures cost-effective mining even in the Far North.

The ores of the Pechenga region of the Murmansk region are of the same type as the Norilsk ones. They account for 19.4% of Russia's proven nickel reserves. True, the nickel content in them is much lower - 0.5-0.6 %.

Licenses for the exploitation of deposits in the Norilsk and Pechenga regions are owned by the company MMC Norilsk Nickel, which produces up to 95% of domestic metallic nickel and up to 72% of cobalt.

The increase in domestic reserves of nickel and cobalt over the past 10 years has significantly lagged behind their redemption during mining. The level of compensation for redeemed reserves does not exceed 30 %. Since 1995, proven reserves of these metals have been decreasing annually by 1.0-1.5%.

The supply of reserves to enterprises in the Norilsk region is quite high (even the reserves of rich ores will last for 20-25 years). In the Murmansk region it does not exceed 21 years. The mineral resource base of nickel at the enterprises of the Urals is greatly depleted, and the availability of their reserves is at a low level.

Russia has become a world leader in the extraction of nickel in ores and the production of metallic nickel (about 300 thousand tons in 2001). In terms of production of primary cobalt (12.5 thousand tons) in 2001, it was in second place in the world. The Norilsk region accounts for 75-80 % domestic production of nickel and cobalt, the share of the Pechenga region is 11-17%. A significant part of the nickel and cobalt produced in Russia is exported. Our country annually ranks first or second in nickel exports and is among the top ten cobalt exporters.

At the same time, competition from Australia and Oceania countries is growing. South-East Asia, which are developing new cobalt-nickel deposits of the laterite type. In addition, the start of open-pit mining of rich ores at the large Voisey Bay sulfide copper-nickel deposit in Canada is planned for 2004-2005. All this, if effective measures are not taken to modernize production, can lead to a decrease in the profitability of nickel and cobalt mining in Russia and weaken its position in the global market for these metals.

MINOR METALS ORES

Minor metals include tin, tungsten, molybdenum, antimony, mercury and bismuth. The first three of them noticeably prevail over the others both in terms of reserves and production volume.

Tin. The forecast tin resources of Russia are significant and are estimated at 1,037 thousand tons. They are concentrated exclusively on the territory of the Far Eastern Federal

districts, mainly in the Khabarovsk Territory - 34.2%; The Republic of Sakha Yakutia - 29.9% and the Primorsky Territory - 16.9%.

In terms of explored reserves of tin, Russia ranks second in the world after China, but is significantly inferior to other tin-producing countries in terms of ore quality. The average tin content in domestic native ores is 0.3%, while in the ores of China, Brazil, and Bolivia it is 0.7-1.5 %. The average tin content in Russian placers is 0.65 kg/m 3, in foreign ones - up to 2.0 kg/m 3.

For this reason, the share of Russian tin reserves suitable for profitable mining turns out to be very low -- 26% of them in placers --- no more than 5 %).

More than 95 % domestic tin reserves are concentrated in remote areas of the Far Eastern Federal District, including in the Khabarovsk Territory - 27.0%, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) - 25.9 %, Primorsky Krai -- 16.0 %.

Tin reserves are accounted for in Russia at 217 deposits - 88 primary and 129 alluvial. The distributed subsoil fund includes 17 deposits.

Currently, the exploitation of only two deposits is profitable: the Churpunninsky primary and Tirekhtyakh alluvial deposits. Both are located in the Republic of Sakha 1kutia). The Churpunnya deposit, which is small in terms of reserves, has rich, easily processed cassiterite-quartz ores. The large Tirekhtyakh placer contains 4.3% of all domestic tin reserves, with a fairly high content in the sands - 0.86 kg/m 3 . The licenses for development of both deposits are held by JSC Deputatskolovo.

Several more tin deposits in Yakutia have rich ores, but are located in completely undeveloped areas. All these deposits are like the indigenous Ilintas, Alys-Khaya, Burga-iH. and the placer of the Odinoky stream are in the unallocated subsoil fund.

Those deposits that are located in areas with developed infrastructure, as a rule, are represented by ores of medium quality (although often complex - with associated components such as copper, tungsten, gold, silver, etc.). These include the Festivalnoye and Perevalnoye deposits. Pravourmiyskoye (Khabarovsk Territory) (licenses for their development are held by the Far Eastern Mining Company) and the Iskra deposit (Primorsky Territory) (the license for it was issued by CJSC Mining Company "Khrustalnaya").

Over the past 6-7 years, the increase in tin reserves has compensated for no more than 25% of their redemption during mining. The supply of domestic industry with proven reserves of tin at the current low level of production exceeds 100 years. However, those reserves that are currently profitable for development will last no more than 35 years. As for existing enterprises, the level of their provision with reserves is even lower: at the Churpunnya deposit there are 5-6 years of reserves left, at the Iskra deposit - for 1.5 years.

In terms of tin mining, Russia moved from fourth place in the world in 1991 to ninth in 2001. During this time, production decreased almost five times. The main part of it was carried out in 2001 in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) - 53.5 %, the rest of the tin was obtained in the Khabarovsk Territory --- 28.3 %, Primorsky Territory - 12.3% and in the Jewish Autonomous Okrug at the Khingan deposit - 5.1%.

The metallurgical processing of tin concentrates is carried out by the only enterprise in Russia - the Novosibirsk Tin Plant (NOK). His production capacity(20 thousand tons of metal per year), which allow us to satisfy any demand of our industry for tin, are now only 25% loaded. Since 1996, NOC has exported a significant part of its products (tin and alloys) - in 2001, more than a third of it was exported. The tin produced by the plant is of high quality and is in demand on the world market, but its cost, due to the peculiarities of the domestic mineral resource base, significantly exceeds market prices.

It is necessary to take urgent measures to search for new deposits of tin with rich ores, as well as to improve mining and processing equipment and technology. Otherwise, tin mining in Russia may soon be stopped.

Tungsten. The forecast tungsten resources of Russia are estimated at 854 thousand tons (third place in the world). They are located mainly within the Far Eastern and Siberian federal districts: on the territory of the Khabarovsk Territory - 23.9%; Primorsky Territory - 23.4%; Irkutsk region - 12.9%; Amur region - 11.7%, etc.

Russia ranks first in the world in terms of explored tungsten reserves. They are located in the North Caucasus - 46.8 %, Siberia - 29.0% and the Far East - 21.7%. Tungsten is included in its ores in the form of two minerals: scheelite and wolframite. About two-thirds of tungsten reserves are represented by schselite ores, one third by easily enriched wolframite ores.

A significant part of the reserves (72%) is located in deposits that are composed of low-grade ores. The share of reserves suitable for profitable mining is only 13.5%. Moreover, all these reserves are completely concentrated in exploited fields.

However, among those deposits that have rich ores, only three are currently competitive: Vostok-2, Lermontovskoye (Primorsky Territory) and Bom-Gorkhon (Chita Region). The average WO 3 content in them exceeds 0.8%.

Tungsten reserves are recorded in Russia at 94 deposits, of which 52 are primary and 42 are alluvial, but only a few of these deposits are currently of industrial interest. First of all, these are the Lermontovskoye and Vostok-2 scheelite deposits in Primorye. They have relatively small reserves, but have rich complex ores containing, in addition to tungsten, copper, gold, silver and other components. The license to develop the first of them is held by Lermontov Mining Company OJSC, and the license to develop the second by Primorsky GOK OJSC.

The Bom-Gorkhon wolframite deposit (Chita region) is also small in reserves, but is composed of easily enriched and rich ores. The license for its operation was issued to SA "Kvarts" LLC.

The Tyrnyauz molybdenum-tungsten deposit in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic has been in operation for many years. Almost 40% of Russian tungsten reserves are concentrated there. But to date, the rich scheelite ores here have been almost completely worked out. The average WO 3 content in the ore is only 0.16%.

Also worthy of attention is the large Agylkinskoye deposit (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)) with rich scheelite ores (average WO 3 content is 1.27%). Unfortunately, it is located in a hard-to-reach area. Its development requires enormous costs, and therefore it is still in the unallocated subsoil fund.

The supply of tungsten ore reserves to existing Russian enterprises is only 5-15 years, even at the current level of production, which has fallen by more than 3 times compared to 1991.

Despite all this, Russia still ranks second in the world after China in the production of tungsten ores. The largest part of production falls on the Primorsky Territory (64.4%), Chita Region (18.6%) and the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (12.3%). %).

Despite all the existing difficulties, the domestic tungsten industry currently fully covers the needs of the domestic market and even sends part of its products for export (to Japan, the USA and Estonia).

Molybdenum. The predicted molybdenum resources of Russia are significant and are estimated at 1,580 thousand tons (approximately 7% of the world). They are located on the territory of nine constituent entities of the Russian Federation, but the bulk of them are located in the Chita region (27.2%), Kemerovo region (12.7%) and Krasnoyarsk Territory (12.7%). %).

In terms of proven reserves of molybdenum, Russia ranks second in the world after the United States. Moreover, 83.5 % these reserves are concentrated in the Siberian Federal District, including the Republic of Buryatia (31.5%), Chita region (28.0 %) and the Republic of Khakassia (24.0%).

Molybdenum reserves have been accounted for in Russia at 9 deposits: some of them have been put into operation). Currently, only about 50% of explored reserves are suitable for profitable development. The most significant now is the Sorskoye deposit of the rockwork type (Republic of Khakassia). It contains about 12% of all proven molybdenum reserves in Russia. The average molybdenum content in Sor ores is relatively low - 0.058 %, But in terms of their composition, these ores are complex (in addition to molybdenum, their industrial value is also determined by copper). The license for development of the Sorskoye deposit was issued to the company OJSC Molybdenum.

Although the Zhireken copper-molybdenum stockwork deposit (Chita region) occupies only the seventh place in Russia in terms of molybdenum reserves, the possibility of open-pit mining, the high average molybdenum content in them is only (0.099%), as well as the easy concentration of ores make its earnings quite profitable. The license for its operation is held by JSC Zhirekensky Molybdenum.

The Tyrnyauz molybdenum-tungsten deposit (Kabardino-Balkarian Republic), despite the low quality of the ores (the average molybdenum content in them is only 0.042%), retains its industrial importance. It accounts for more than 10% of Russia's proven molybdenum reserves. The license to develop this deposit was issued to the company OJSC Tyrnyauz Tungsten-Molybdenum Combine.”

We can expect in the near future the development of two more large deposits with rich ores in the Siberian Federal District: the Bugdainsky tungsten-molybdenum deposit (Chita region) and the Orekitkan molybdenum deposit (Republic of Buryatia) . More than 40% of all explored objects and over 70 % preliminary estimated molybdenum reserves in Russia. The increase in molybdenum reserves over the past 10 years has not compensated for redemptions. As a result, their total number decreased by 5% over the period. Nevertheless, in general, the industry's supply of proven reserves of molybdenum is quite high (over 100 years). At existing enterprises it is much lower: at the Tyrnyauz plant - 10 years, at the Zhirekensky plant - 30.

In terms of molybdenum production (about 7.5 thousand tons in 2001), Russia moved from fifth place in the world, which it occupied in 1991, to seventh. The overwhelming majority (73%) of domestic molybdenum concentrate in 2001 was produced at the Sorskoye deposit, another 24% at the Zhirekenskoye deposit. Domestic demand for molybdenum, which is at a fairly low level, is now being satisfied without any particular difficulties. At the same time, in the coming years, Russia is expected to increase the volume of high-quality steel production and, accordingly, increase the demand for molybdenum.

The mineral resource base of molybdenum in our industry is capable of providing the predicted growth in its production, but for this it is necessary to take measures to develop new, most promising molybdenum deposits - Bugdainsky and Orekitkansky.

RARE METALS ORES

IN this group mineral resources include over 25 metals, the most important of which are niobium, tantalum, rare earths, as well as beryllium, lithium, zirconium, scandium, rhenium and germanium. The border between minor and rare metals is largely arbitrary. Some of the rare metals (for example, niobium, zirconium, lithium) do not differ significantly from small metals either in the number of explored reserves, or the scale of deposits, or production volumes.

Niobium. The predicted niobium resources of Russia are estimated at 25 million tons (second place in the world). They are located mainly in the Siberian Federal District (47%), as well as in the Far Eastern (23%) and Northwestern (28%).

Russia ranks second in the world in terms of niobium reserves (after Brazil). More than 3/4 of them (76%) are concentrated in the Siberian Federal District, another 21% are located in the Northwestern Federal District. Niobium reserves are accounted for in Russia at 29 deposits.

Of particular interest to industry are ores in which the main mineral form of niobium is pyrochlorine. Pyrochlore ores account for about 30% of all niobium reserves in Russia. Domestic pyrochlore ores are quite difficult to enrich and are characterized by complex mineral composition and low niobium content. The most famous deposits of this metal in Russia are composed of such ores, and primarily the deposits of the Lovozero group (Murmansk region), as well as Beloziminskoye and Bolshetagninskoye (Irkutsk region), Katuginskoye (Chita region) and Tatarskoye (Krasnoyarsk region).

Only 4.3% of Russian reserves of niobium ores are comparable in quality to Brazilian ones. The main part of them is located at the Tomtor pyrochlore ore deposit (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)). This deposit is unique in its reserves, characterized by a very high content of niobium and the amount of rare earths (15%), but is located in very unfavorable geographical conditions and for this reason alone is still in the unallocated subsoil fund.

The development of deposits of the Lovozero group is carried out by OJSC Sevredmet. OJSC Stalmag began exploitation of the Tatar deposit in 2001.

The provision of existing niobium mining enterprises with proven reserves is quite high. The Lovozero plant is secured for 50 years. The reserves of the Tatar deposit will last for 15 years.

The main part of niobium is used in the production of low-alloy steels, which are used mainly for the production of large-diameter pipes, which Russia urgently needs due to the need to maintain and develop its main pipeline network.

In order to fully satisfy the growing needs of our industry for niobium (and these needs are estimated at 2,500 tons per year), it is necessary to quickly develop its most promising deposits: Beloziminskoye, Bolshetagninskoye and Tomtorskoye.

Tantalum. The forecast tantalum resources of Russia exceed 800 thousand tons of Ta 2 O 5. The vast majority of them are located in the Northwestern (57.5%) and Siberian (40%) federal districts.

Tantalum reserves in Russia, amounting to about half of the world's reserves, are also more than 90 % concentrated on the territory of the Northwestern and Siberian federal districts.

The quality of domestic tantalum ores is much worse than foreign ones. They have 2-3 times lower content of the main component. In addition, our ores are indigenous, difficult to mine and grind, while foreign ores, as a rule, belong to weathering crusts and are loose formations.

The most important Russian tantalum deposits are Lovozerskoye (Murmansk region) and Etykinskoye (Chita region). The first is represented by complex loparite ores and is developed by Sevredmet OJSC. The second is tantalite-microlite ores with low tantalum content (0.0139% Ta 2 O 5), the production license for which is held by TVEL OJSC. The supply of these enterprises with reserves is equal to 50 and 20 years, respectively.

Tantalum production in Russia is about 110 tons (in terms of metal). More than half of it is carried out at the Lovozero plant. Despite the fact that tantalum continues to remain a scarce metal in Russia, a significant part of its output is exported.

Rare earths. Russia's reserves of rare earth metals, including yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, etc. (in terms of the amount of their trioxides), account for 18% of the world's reserves. They are taken into account at 15 fields.

The main of these deposits include: Lovozerskoye (Murmansk region), Ulug-Tanzekskoye (Republic of Tyva), Beloziminskoye (Irkutsk region), Katuginskoye (Chita region), Ssligdarskoye and Tomtorskoye (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)).

The overwhelming majority of reserves of rare earth metals are found in complex ores as associated components.

The volume of production of such ores is determined by the need for the main components (apatite, niobium, tantalum, etc.). The profitability of the associated extraction of rare earth metals depends entirely on the availability of effective technologies.

The production of rare earth metals in Russia may well be ensured by domestic ore raw materials. The most promising for this seems to be the development of the Tomtorskoye and Katuginskoye fields.

Conclusion

The metallurgical complex of Western Siberia is a very promising industry in Russia. It definitely needs to be developed. This industry has a great future. Huge reserves of raw materials, many of which are unexplored, must certainly find their purpose. This industry is in its infancy, therefore, ways of improvement can be proposed. This is necessary, since there are a lot of prospects offered and you need to choose the best ones.

Indeed, much has not yet been decided in the metallurgical complex of Western Siberia. These problems, including: lack of labor resources, transport insecurity, largely hamper the development of the industry. But among the problems that arose before metallurgical complex, there are still a lot of economic problems, problems of industry management and, which has become Lately very relevant, ecological problem. Improvement of labor and technology is needed, since metallurgy enterprises in Western Siberia operate mainly on outdated equipment. The main method of steel production is still the open-hearth method of production. But, it is necessary not only to facilitate the work of people working in production, but also to take into account environmental factor. Ecological situation in the world, especially recently, has become increasingly global in nature, and the main polluters are “dirty” industries, which include metallurgical enterprises.

Iron

Iron- a common element. Its amount in the earth's crust is estimated at a few percent, but iron is mined from rich ores containing at least 25 percent metal.

Iron ores

The types of iron deposits are very diverse. The most important are the so-called ferruginous quartzites– finely banded rocks in which black bands are iron minerals magnetite – magnetic iron ore and less hematite – hematite– interlayered with ribbons of light quartz. Such deposits contain many billions of tons iron ores and are known mainly in the oldest strata, two or more billion years old! They are developed in ancient crystalline shields and platforms. They are widespread in Northern and South America , in the West Australia, V Africa, V India. Reserves of this type of iron ore are practically limitless - more than 30 trillion tons, a truly astronomical figure! It is assumed that ferruginous quartzites were formed by the action of iron bacteria in ancient basins due to iron that came in solutions from the surrounding hills, and perhaps in hot deep solutions.

Deposition sedimentary iron ores occurs in lakes, seas - modern “natural laboratories”. IN last years secretions are open iron nodules(nodules) at the bottom of the oceans. They contain huge reserves of not only iron, but also its accompanying manganese, nickel and other elements.

The types of iron deposits include the so-called contact or skarn deposits, which are located on the border granite rocks And limestones and formed due to solutions brought from the magmatic body. Deposits of this type are composed of rich ores.

Iron minerals appear to be scarce. The main ones: magnetite, hematite, as well as various varieties brown iron ores, siderite(iron carbonate). These minerals produce a wide variety of deposit types.

Manganese

Similar to iron in terms of formation conditions and technical application manganese.

Sedimentary ores

It usually accompanies iron in sedimentary ores and ancient metamorphic deposits. He, like iron, basis of ferrous metallurgy, used for the production of high-quality steels.

Chromium

Ferrous metals include chromium. Its main mineral is chromite– forms black solid masses and inclusions of crystals in ultramafic rocks.

Chromite deposits

Chromite deposits, as well as the enclosing massifs of ultrabasic rocks, are found in zones of deep faults. Ore-bearing magma came from the subcrustal depths, from the mantle. Chromite deposits are known in South West Africa, on Philippines, on Cuba, on Ural.

Chromium is used in metallurgical production for giving steel special hardness, in chrome plating of metal surfaces and in the production of paints, it gives compounds a green color.

Belongs to the same technical group titanium. It is mined from basic igneous rocks in the form of ilmenite and from placers, terrestrial and very widespread on sea beaches and shelves ( Brazil, Australia, India), where its source is titanomagnetite, ilmenite and rutile.

Titanium is used in production special grades of steel. This heat-resistant, lightweight metal.

It is also important vanadium– a frequent companion of titanium in deposits and placers, used for manufacturing especially strong steel grades, used in the production of armor and projectiles, in the automotive industry, and in nuclear energy. Here, new combinations of elements in alloys are becoming increasingly important. For example, an alloy of vanadium with titanium, niobium, tungsten, zirconium, and aluminum is used in the production of rockets and in nuclear technology. And new composite materials are also prepared from mineral raw materials.

Nickel and cobalt

Nickel and cobalt, also elements of the iron family, are found more often in mafic and ultramafic rocks, especially nickel.

Nickel ores

It forms large deposits in South West Africa, on Kola Peninsula and in the area Norilsk. These are igneous deposits. Nickel sulfides crystallized from magmatic melt coming from the mantle or from hot aqueous solutions. A special type is represented by residual nickel deposits formed as a result of weathering of nickel-bearing basic rocks, for example basalts, gabbroids. In this case, oxidized nickel minerals appear in the form of loose greenish masses. These same residual nickel ores enriched with iron, which allows them to be used for the manufacture of iron-nickel alloys. Such deposits are found in Ural, but they are especially widespread in the tropical zone - on the islands Indonesia, on Philippines, where intensive oxidation of rocks on the surface occurs.

Non-ferrous metals

Important for industry are non-ferrous metals. Many of them geochemically belong to the group of chalcophiles, related to copper (chalcos - copper): copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, bismuth. In nature, these metals form compounds with gray, sulfides.

Minerals of non-ferrous metals were deposited mostly from hot aqueous solutions; the main ones are for copper chalcopyrite- golden mineral bornite– a lilac mineral, a constant companion of chalcopyrite, as well as a black sooty chalcocite, which occurs at the top of many copper deposits.

Copper ores

Copper deposits are very diverse. In recent years, very great importance acquired poor disseminated ores of the so-called porphyry type, which often occur in volcanic vents. They were formed from hot solutions coming from deep magma chambers. The reserves of such ores are huge, especially in South and North America.

Reservoir deposits are also of great importance copper ores, formed during volcanic eruptions at the bottom of the seas. This is the so-called pyrite type, in which copper pyrite - chalcopyrite– found together with iron pyrites – pyrite. These deposits for a long time served as the main source of ores in the Urals.

Finally, the great role of the so-called cuprous sandstones containing copper minerals. This type includes deposits in Chita region, and abroad the largest deposits Katanga in Africa.

Lead and zinc

Deposits have their own characteristics lead and zinc, these inextricably linked metals. The main mineral of lead is lead luster, or galena, a silvery-white mineral in cubic crystals.

Lead ores

Extracted from lead concentrates silver, bismuth, antimony. The latter form only an insignificant admixture in the lead luster, but with a huge scale of smelting lead ores they constitute a very important additive to the extraction of these valuable elements from their own minerals.

The main mineral of zinc is sphalerite(zinc blende). It is called decoy because it has a diamond-like luster rather than a metallic luster, like ore. Its color varies: from brown to black and cream. These two minerals, galena and sphalerite, have been said to constantly occur together.

Zinc concentrates

From zinc concentrates mine germanium, indium, cadmium and gallium. They form a very minor impurity in zinc blende, where crystal lattice replace zinc atoms, taking their place. And, despite the insignificant content, it is the extraction of these small impurities from zinc blende that is the main source of their production.

They are of great value! For example, cadmium is used in the production of nuclear reactors, batteries, and low-melting alloys. Gallium, due to its low fusibility (melting point of only 30 degrees Celsius), is used as a substitute for mercury in thermometers. Cadmium with tin and bismuth produces a Wood's alloy with a melting point of 70 degrees. Indium added to silver gives the latter great shine, and when alloyed with copper it protects ship hulls from corrosion in sea water. Germanium is used in the production of semiconductors.

Sulfide Ore

Often found together with lead and zinc in ores silver, bismuth, arsenic, copper Therefore, lead-zinc deposits are called polymetallic. These deposits are formed from hot aqueous solutions and are especially often found in the form of deposits and veins among limestones, which are replaced sulphide ore.

Tin and tungsten

Tin and tungsten belong to rarer metals and represent a special group (in practice they are now classified as “non-ferrous”). The use of non-ferrous metals is very wide: in mechanical engineering, other fields of technology, and in military affairs.

Let’s imagine for a moment that the resources of such a metal as tin were depleted, all life would immediately stop: after all, tin alloys are used for bearings necessary in any mechanism, without tin alloys it would be impossible to produce cars, electric locomotives, machine tools, the production of canned food (tin) would fall – metal of tin cans). It would seem that such an inconspicuous metal as tin is an extremely necessary link in all technology.

Rare metal minerals

These metals are found in the form of oxygen compounds: tin - in the oxide, cassiterite, or tin stone, tungsten - in tungstic acid salts: tungsten and scheelite. Minerals These elements are often found in quartz veins among or near granites. Shiny black or brown wolframite crystals stand out against white quartz. Sometimes they are found in other types of deposits: scheelitis at the contacts of granites with limestones in skarns, cassiterite– in sulfide veins.

Oxygen compounds form many so-called rare metals: lithium, rubidium, cesium, beryllium, neobium, tantalum - they are often found in pegmatite veins. Ancient Precambrian pegmatites are especially rich in them ( Africa, Brazil, Canada).

Light metals are currently becoming important - aluminum and his even lighter brothers - magnesium And beryllium. These metals are competitors of the all-powerful iron, designed to replace it in many areas. These metals and their alloys are widely used in technology, especially in aircraft construction, rocket production, in the production of drill pipes - wherever light metal is needed.

Raw material for aluminum - bauxite

Aluminum, as is known, is very widespread in the earth's crust, and in the future it will be possible to obtain it from any aluminosilicate rocks rich in this element. For now, traditional raw material for aluminum are bauxite. They consist of aqueous alumina compounds formed both by sedimentation during deposition in marine basins and by weathering of aluminosilicate rocks.

Recently, a method has been developed for producing aluminum from ancient crystalline schists, formed during the metamorphism of clayey deposits, as well as from alkaline igneous rocks. Thus, the problem of sources for obtaining aluminum will never confront people: this metal will be abundantly sufficient for all subsequent generations. It's just a matter of the technology for its extraction and electricity to create powerful energy-intensive industries.

Another matter beryllium. This is a relatively rare metal. It is part of beryl and other minerals that are found in high-temperature deposits, in pegmatites, as well as in veins formed from hot aqueous solutions. This valuable metal is used in special alloys for the manufacture of X-ray tubes.

The integrated use of mineral resources is increasing. For example, rare elements are extracted from coal, mainly extremely valuable germanium.

An element like selenium, is not often found in independent minerals, but is present in pyrite

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