DISTRIBUTION OF GERMANIUM IN C4 COAL SEAM OF «SAMARSKA» MINE OF THE PAVLOHRAD-PETROPAVLIVKA GEOLOGICAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREA OF THE DONBAS

Abstract

Problem Statement and Purpose. For an objective geological and economic assessment of the possibility of simultaneous extraction of germanium from coal, waste and products of its processing and planning of the most effective organizational and technical measures in this regard, it is first of all necessary to have information about the nature of the distribution and the level of concentration of this element in coal and coal-bearing rocks. In order to obtain such information, the authors performed detailed studies of the distribution of germanium over the area and in the cross-section of the coal seam с4 of the Samarska mine field. The aim of the work is to research the features of the distribution of germanium in the с4 coal seam of the Samarska mine field. Data & Methods. Obtaining information about the distribution of chemical elements in geological objects is the first stage of research, which starts from the generalization of the actual material, through its theoretical understanding to the verification of the revealed regularities by research. Samples were personally selected by the authors from duplicate cores and in mining operations. Germanium content was determined  by quantitative emission spectral analysis. 10% of duplicate samples were sent to internal laboratory control. 12% of duplicate samples were subjected to external laboratory control. During the construction of maps, graphs and calculation of correlation coefficients, all values of germanium concentrations and technological parameters of coal were normalized to bring the sample to the same scale, regardless of the units of measurement and the scale of the samples. Results. During conducted research, it was revealed that abnormally high germanium content is observed only in the areas of the formation where there is a combination of two features of its structure: a general decrease in the thickness of coal seams and the presence of small and small-amplitude tectonic disturbances, zones of increased fracture in the northwest direction. The regional component of germanium content increases in the southeast direction, towards the Ukrainian crystalline shield, which indicates the direction of the location of the predominant source of wear. The Pearson correlation coefficient between germanium concentration and total reservoir capacity is –0.82, indicating a high inverse correlation between these parameters. The main scientific significance of the obtained results is in the establishment of the main features of the variability of germanium distribution in the coal seam and their genetic causes. The practical significance of the obtained results lies is the fact that the constructed maps are a factual basis for the long-term forecast of germanium concentrations in the mining mass extracted by the mine. The calculated regression equations between the germanium content, the thickness of coal seam and the ash content of the coal will allow to predict its concentration in the coal seam. These equations can be used for short-term and medium-term forecasting of germanium content in ore mass extracted by mines.