Mineral Resource Potential Research Articles

Technique of Determination of Commodity Cost of a Subsoil on the Basis of Calculation of Mineral and Raw Potential of Expected Resources

Exploration and mining are logically interrelated. Currently, it is not necessary to carry out the work on reproducing the entire available mineral resource base, but only its cost-effective part. For forming investment projects it is required to assess the mineral resource potential of the territory. Calculating the mineral resource potential (MRP) typically includes data on reserves of deposits, estimated resources, the cost of subsoil and coefficients of bringing forecast resources to contingent reserves. The issues of a comprehensive study of the mineral and raw material potential from the point of view of a systematic approach, the efficiency of the mineral and raw material complex in the process of subsoil use, taking into account the specificity of solid minerals, are not well understood and require their scientific substantiation.

Development prospects of the copper industry in the Far East

Research aim is to assess the prospects of using copper resources in the Far East to organize the regional base for the copper industry. Methodology. To assess the possibility or necessity of using the Far Eastern copper resources in the domestic industry, the state, production, needs and use of copper resources together with the existing projects of their development in the Far Eastern region are analyzed. Results and their analysis. In the Far East, projects are currently being implemented that require considerable use of a variety of non-ferrous metallurgy products. Metal products, materials and equipment required for the projects are imported or delivered from the western parts of Russia. Transportation significantly increases their cost. With the discovery and exploration of large copper deposits (Malmyzhskoye and Peschanka) and rich prospects of increasing the copper resource base in the far East, a number of ideas for copper industry creation and development in the region are proposed. Summary. The issue of copper industry creation in the Far East requires a multifaceted discussion, including the estimation of the general state and plans for the development of the copper industry in Russia and promising projects in the region. The region has sufficient reserves and resources of copper to create a complete technological chain of the regional copper industry, which involves the organization of copper production in the region. The potential of copper mineral resources in the region with an effective strategy for their use can contribute to the accelerated development of the Far East and become one of the factors of changing the geopolitical importance of Russia’s eastern part.

Methodological Approaches to the Assessment of Spatial Differentiation of the Basic Sectors of Subsoil Use of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is a major raw-material region of Russia. Large deposits of diamonds, gold and hydrocarbons are concentrated on the territory. The paper studies the territorial location of mineral resource and production potentials of the basic subsurface management sectors (oil and gas production, as well as diamond, gold and coal mining industries). The mining industry potential in the municipal districts of the region is comprehensively rated by using the method of integrated assessment on a ten-point scale. The assessment identified four local zones of development and location of subsurface management sectors: Arctic, Western, Southern and Eastern; which will allow creating territorial and sectoral clusters in the region in the future, providing the concentration of organizational and managerial efforts and the rational involvement of financial resources. The results of this study can be applied in the strategic planning of socio-economic development of local zones and municipal districts of the republic.

State Management of Mineral Resource Potential Based on Geological and Economic Monitoring

The relevance of the study is to develop a geological and economic model for calculating the exploration work volume for reproducing mineral resource base of non-ferrous metals, covering the base levels and management functions of the subsoil Fund, all stages of the exploration process. The subjects of the study are methodological approaches to calculating reserve shortage by types of metal minerals, substantiating optimal production and reproduction volume of the mineral resource base. The geological and economic model for calculating the exploration volume for reproducing mineral resource base, developed in the framework of the study, has been tested and used in the Central Federal district (in the Federal budget institution “Territorial Fund of geological information for the Central Federal district” (Moscow); in the Department of subsoil use in the Central Federal district (Moscow) and the far Eastern Federal district in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the geological information funds, at the enterprise JSC “Polyus Aldan” and others. As the result of the research, a four-stage geological and economic model of the mineral resource base reproduction process was developed, on the basis of which methodological justification of geological and economic zoning of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) was prepared on the level of mineral resource potential of reserves of non-ferrous metals and forecast resources, the geological exploration volume for reproducing the mineral resource base of non-ferrous metals.

Potential mineral resources of the Chilean offshore: an overview

The seabed included in the Chilean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has proper conditions to originate and host different ore deposits, but its geological knowledge is scarce and scattered. The existent studies are very limited in terms of geochemical and mineralogical analyses. The most significant non-energetic mineral resources off Chile correspond to Fe-Mn nodules and crusts, phosphorite deposits, gold and titanium placer deposits and massive sulfide deposits. Fe-Mn nodule sites occur in abyssal plains and seamounts, and around volcanic islands, at depths from 2,890 to 4,332 m, and can contain important concentrations of Cu and Ni (up to 1.38% Cu+Ni) and Co (up to 0.53%). Co-rich Fe-Mn crust occurrences have been reported around the Rapanui and Salas y Gómez islands, with Cu+Ni contents up to 0.3%. Phosphorite sites occur in Holocene sedimentary beds of the continental shelf off Peru and northern Chile, with P2O5 average content of 22.6%. Gold placer deposits are found in beaches and channels of southern Chile and may extend offshore probably in submarine canyons. Titanium placer deposits have been evaluated in different beaches of Chile and could also be continued offshore. Platinum anomalies have been found in channels and bays of southernmost Chile. No samples of Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) mineralization are known in the Chilean EEZ to date. However, samples of hydrothermal vents, with potential for polymetallic VMS type mineralization, have been recovered around the Rapanui Island, and several seamount and volcanic island chains indicate favorable conditions for formation and preservation of these ore-deposits. The available geological information on the seabed of the Chilean EEZ is insufficient to estimate the real potential of its non-energetic mineral resources.

Tectonic factors of impurity elements accumulation at the Shubarkol coal deposit (Kazakhstan)

Purpose. To study the features of the paleotectonic development of the area and to construct paleotectonic reconstruction of the deposit formation to establish the nature of impurity elements accumulation in the coals and enclosing rocks of the Shubarkol deposit, as well as to increase the mineral resource potential of coals. Methodology. 25 samples of coal and mudstone from the Shubarkol deposit were analyzed. The samples were studied by instrumental neutron- activation analysis (INAA) at the Nuclear Geochemical Laboratory of National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University. Findings. An analysis of geological-structural and paleotectonic formation conditions of the Jurassic coal deposit was carried. The factors of formation of coal and carbon-containing rocks enriched with impurity elements and the conditions needed for its leaching and transportation to the coal seam were analyzed. It was found that the coals in individual samples have average concentrations of Ce, Ba, Sr, Sc, Zn that are higher than the clarke, and Sm, Ce, U, Cr, Yb, Ba, Sr, Nd, As, Sc, Zn, Eu, La in the composition of mudstone have average values that are higher than in coals, and higher than the clarke. It was established that one of the sources of rare-metal mineralization of coals (peat) in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic times were the rock massifs of the Kokchetau uplift in the north and northwest, the Kaptyadyr, Arganatinsk and Ulutau mountains in the west. They form the chain of the Kokchetau-North Tien Shan ancient folded structure and the Central Kazakhstan (Devonian) volcanic-plutonic belt in the east. They surround the sedimentation basin and serve as suppliers of clastic material during the coal-bearing strata formation due to tectonic processes of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic time. Originality. The paleotectonic development of the Shubarkol deposit area during the coal-bearing formation has been reconstructed. It has been established that the Sarysu-Teniz uplift in the Permian-Triassic is separated into an independent block, to which the studied deposit is spatially and genetically related. It has been established that the distribution of elements in the coals of the Shubarkol deposit is determined by the peculiarities of metallogeny, geochemistry of the framing area and the mechanisms of the elements entering the coal seams. Practical value. A purposeful analysis of materials for the peculiarities of high concentrations of impurity elements accumulation in coal in connection with deep fault zones at the Shubarkol deposit serves as an objective justification of the possibility of their integrated use, ensuring the development of the countrys coal industry.

Geological Survey of Canada 8.0: mapping the journey towards predictive geoscience

Abstract The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) has been furthering the geoscientific understanding of Canada since its inception in 1842, the equivalent of seven generations ago. The evolution of the activities of the GSC over this period has been driven by evolving geographic, economic and political contexts and needs. Likewise, new technologies and evolving scientific methods and models shaped broadly the successive generations of GSC geoscience activities. The most recent GSC generation presented a mixed portfolio of large framework mapping geoscience programmes, and more targeted, hypothesis-driven geoscience research, and the development of decision support products for a range of government, industry and other stakeholders needs. Entering its eighth generation, the GSC and related organizations are embracing digital technologies for applications such as the evaluation of mineral resource potential, the evaluation of risks and the early warning of earthquakes. In order to do so, the GSC will need to develop new methods and systems in co-operation with other geological survey organizations, and target its data acquisition and research to further advance its ability to respond to the evolving needs of society to navigate geology through space and time, from the past to the present, and from the present to the future.

Освоение минерально-сырьевых ресурсов Еврейской автономной области: новые возможности и перспективы

The article presents an analysis of the opportunities and prospects for the development of mineral resources of the Jewish Autonomous Region. The mineral resource potential of the region was investigated, investment resource projects significant for the economy were identified and analyzed. A variant of the socio-economic development of the region due to the intensive development of mineral resources is proposed. A cognitive model of the region’s economy was built taking into account regional characteristics to assess the economic return of the proposed resource development option of the Jewish Autonomous Region

Peningkatan Kompetensi Masyarakat Lokal dalam Pemanfaatan Endapan Tras Di Daerah Nagreg Kendan, Kabupaten Bandung, Jawa Barat

Competency enhancement in trass utilization was given to local communities of Nagreg Kendan,Bandung, West Java. This activity was intended to explore the potential of local cummunity indeveloping trass deposit utilization for local economy. This activity is expected to providerecommendation and encouragement for local community to develop entrepreneurship in utilizing andmanaging mineral resources potential. This activity was divided into several parts, they are pre-test,counseling and discussion about trass utilization, and also post-test to evaluate local community’sbasic knowledge. Local community shows good knowledge and enthusiasm of local community indeveloping local economy through trass utilization.

Characterisation of incinerator bottom ash from a Danish waste-to-energy plant: a step towards closing the material cycle

The UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, regarding responsible production and consumption of raw materials, guides ongoing international efforts to enhance sustainability in all parts of the mineral sector. Of particular interest, is improving the recyclability of secondary waste streams and thereby increasing the efficiency of recycling end-of-life products. Municipal solid waste – residual waste from household and industry – constitutes one of these secondary streams. It is typically incinerated in waste-to-energy plants producing two types of waste streams that carry a raw material resource potential: incinerator bottom ash (IBA) and incinerator fly ash (IFA). IBA is of particular interest in the recycling industry, where it is commonly recycled to produce three main fractions: (i) ferrous material, (ii) non-ferrous material, and (iii) residual slag. In most cases the two metal fractions are separated further downstream in the value chain, prior to smelting. The residual, non-magnetic fraction (typically 0–45 mm) is used mainly as construction aggregate. Improvements in the efficiency of existing separation technologies are still being made, but less effort is focussed on characterising the fundamental composition and mineral resource potential of IBA. For this reason, the Urban-X project was launched by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) to characterise the composition and resource potential of various waste streams at Amager Bakke waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen, Denmark. This paper discusses some of the main outcomes of the Urban-X project with respect to IBA, and a full analysis of all waste streams analysed at Amager Bakke is available in Clausen et al. 2019.

Potential of mineral resources as an alternative raw material for K fertilizer

Indonesia has potential mineral deposits of leucite, phlogopite, biotite, and trachyte which could be explored as an alternative raw material for K fertilizer. The objective of the study was to evaluate K content of various rocks that were potential to be used as an alternative source of K fertilizer. The study of K nutrient solubility from finely ground eight rock types was done using incubation experiment under laboratory conditions. Treatments included control, heating, alkali fussion, heating followed by humic substance addition, heating followed by manure compost, humic and compost without heating. After incubation for 6 months, solubility of potential K (25% HCl extract) and available K (2% citric acid extract) were determined. The results showed that K2O content of various rocks varied from 1.26 to 8.10% with the highest value of 8.10% shown by leucite-bearing rocks of Situbondo followed by 7.06% for leucite Pati, 6.50% for andesite Jepara, 5% for trachyte-andesite Barru, 4.58% for granite Sijunjung, 3.59% for andesite Lebak, 2.73% for liparite Gayo Luwes and 1.26% for schist and dolomite Sanggau. Alkali fusion treatment of leucite Situbondo and Pati increased K availability by 81 and 49%, respectively compared to a control at first month incubation. Humic substances and manure compost treatment did not have significant differences on potential and available K. The implication of the study is only two rocks (Situbondo and Pati) out of eight rocks are promising and potential to be used as an alternative source of K fertilizer.

Geological Mapping and Characterization of Possible Primary Input Materials for the Mineral Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide in Europe

This work investigates the possible mineral input materials for the process of mineral sequestration through the carbonation of magnesium or calcium silicates under high pressure and high temperatures in an autoclave. The choice of input materials that are covered by this study represents more than 50% of the global peridotite production. Reaction products are amorphous silica and magnesite or calcite, respectively. Potential sources of magnesium silicate containing materials in Europe have been investigated in regards to their availability and capability for the process and their harmlessness concerning asbestos content. Therefore, characterization by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and QEMSCAN® was performed to gather information before the selection of specific material for the mineral sequestration. The objective of the following carbonation is the storage of a maximum amount of CO2 and the utilization of products as pozzolanic material or as fillers for the cement industry, which substantially contributes to anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The characterization of the potential mineral resources for mineral sequestration in Europe with a focus on the forsterite content led to a selection of specific input materials for the carbonation tests. The mineralogical analysis of an Italian olivine sample before and after the carbonation process states the reasons for the performed evaluation. The given data serves as an example of the input material suitability of all the collected mineral samples. Additionally, the possible conversion of natural asbestos occurring in minerals as a side effect of the carbonation process is taken into consideration.

Exploitation and use of non-metal mineral resources of the Tuzla Canton

This paper analyzes the spatial distribution of potential non-metallic mineral resources in the area of Tuzla Canton. Available non-metallic mineral resources of the Tuzla Canton are classified into three groups: energy (coal), industrial processing (rock salt, limestone, quartz sand, brick clay and magnesite) and construction materials (gravel and sand). Identification of non-metallic mineral resources of Tuzla Canton described and enumerated all the resources by their importance and use, giving a brief analysis of their economic exploitation. Based on field research, current knowledge, collection of various information and documents, the author tries to point out in the paper the economic importance of non-metallic mineral resources and their participation in the economic development of the Tuzla Canton.

Geology and mineral resources of Khudi-Bahundanda area of west-central Nepal along Marshyangdi Valley

Geological study was carried out along the Khudi-Bahundanda area of the Marshyangdi Valley in the west central Nepal. The area lies partly in the Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone and partly in the Higher Himalayan Crystalline Zone. The aim of the study was to prepare a detail geological map and cross section in the scale of 1:25,000 to work out on stratigraphy, metamorphism and mineral resource potential of the area. The rocks of the Higher Himalaya have been mapped under a single unit as Formation I. This unit consists of kyanite-garnet para-gneiss. The lithological units of the MCT zone are mapped into three units as the Benighat Slate, the Malekhu Formation and the Robang Formation from the bottom to the top, respectively. The Benighat Slate consists of dark grey to black schist with some carbonate beds as members. The Malekhu Formation consists of creamy white siliceous dolomite marble with parting of schist. The Robang Formation comprises of light grey psammitic schist with garnet and white micaceous quartzite in various proportion.
 Many secondary structures are observed in the study area, but primary structures are missing due to extreme metamorphism. The large-scale structures are the MCT, which separates the Lesser Himalayan rocks to the south from the Higher Himalaya to the north, and the Bahundanda Thrust (BT). Numerous outcrop-scale structures like meso-scale folds, quartz veins, boudinage and ptygmatic folds are abundant. Folds in the MCT zone are mostly E-W trending, and rocks have experienced multiple metamorphism and dynamic crystallization of minerals. The Lesser Himalayan rocks resemble the garnet zone while the Higher Himalayan rocks resemble to the kyanite grade of metamorphism. As in the other sections of the Himalaya, the present section also clearly shows the inverted metamorphism in the MCT zone. The MCT zone is considered as the potential site for precious and semi-precious stones, of which the most potential ones are the garnet and kyanite.

The Method of Assessing and Substantiating the Influence of Factors’ Groups on the Reproduction of Mineral Resource Base

Mineral resources potential is the basis for a sustainable and balanced development of the modern economy in the case of its rational and integrated use across the entire spectrum of the diversity of minerals’ types represented. The method of estimating and substantiating the influence of groups of factors on the reproduction of mineral and raw material base is considered, consisting in the formation of an additive mathematical model for the reproduction of the mineral resource base, consisting of factors selected as a result of a two-stage ranking, and designed to analyze the influence of factors on the resulting integral index. As a result, a mathematical model was created that allows to assess and justify the influence of groups of factors on the reproduction of the mineral and raw materials base. The introduction of this methodology in practice will contribute to improve the management effectiveness of the mineral and raw materials complex, the formation of cluster economic structures on the territory of regions that are built taking into account the existing natural and mineral and raw materials potentials that are locomotives for the development of regional economy.

Untapped Economic Resource Potential of the Neoproterozoic to Early Paleozoic Volta Basin, Ghana: A Review

The ~ 115,000 km2 Volta Basin of Ghana is one of the most studied geological terrains. However, unlike the Birimian and Tarkwaian which have been targeted due to their gold potential, the Volta Basin has been studied largely only toward resolving its lithostratigraphic-related issues. The Volta Basin, however, has economic resource potentials that are worth exploring for the economic benefit of the country. This study seeks to highlight some of the economic resources of the Volta Basin that can be harnessed through further exploration and evaluation. Synthesis of the available literature on the economic resources of the Basin and some few field relations by the authors helped in unraveling the economic resource potential of the Basin. Previous mineral prospectivity maps for various identified minerals in the Basin were merged into a single large-scale map and overlaid on the geology of the area using GIS-based kriging interpolation method to outline the complete mineral resource potential of the Volta Basin. The study reveals that the northeastern, central, and southeastern fringes of the Basin have extensive exposures of sandstones that can be extracted and quarried for construction purposes. The Oti/Pendjari Group with a large areal extent coupled with a great thickness could be evaluated for brick and tiles production. The Group also has a wealth of limestones in the Mamprusi areas that could serve as a hub for cement production to serve all the northern parts of the country if exploited. The Basin could be hosting gold deposits via late hydrothermal fluids evidenced by quartz veins and the presence of extensive continuation of the Birimian structures into the overlying Volta Basin which are the main controlling features of the Birimian gold deposits. The Basin hosts phosphate, bauxite, diamond and iron ore deposits in some localities. Out of these, only iron ore discovered in the Sheini area is currently under exploration but is being constrained by several geological factors. Although Premuasi 1 well has not given promising results on the hydrocarbon potential of the Basin, the lithostratigraphic succession of the basin supports a complete hydrocarbon system just like the Taodeni Basin.

SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY OF MINERALRS OF THE INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGICALE SCIENCES OF NAS OF UKRAINE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL GEOLOGY DURING THE UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE

The most important activity results of the Department of Geology of Minerals of the IGN NAS of Ukraine for the period from 1990 to 2018 years are represented in this paper. The mass of geological, geophysical, geochemical and metallogenical information of territory of Ukraine and the World have been investigated and generalized by the department. These studies have proven that Ukraine has a strong mineral-raw material base and belongs to the most significant countries of the world in terms of mineral resource potential. The development directions and primary research of the department for the near future have been determined.

Mineralogy of a Radioactive-Rare Earth Elements Occurrence in the Paleozoic Batholith, South-Central Chile

South-central Chile has some potential mineral resources including radioactive and rare earth elements (REE) minerals. This study reports some basic characteristics of the mineralogy of a radioactive-rare earth elements occurrence, related to a pegmatitic outcrop “Vertientes Pegmatite” hosted on Paleozoic granitic rocks of the South Coastal Batholith and discusses potential areas for REE deposits, particularly beach placers along the coastline of the BioBío region. In this pegmatite, X-ray diffraction analysis shows uranium-bearing minerals such as coffinite and metaschoepite, along with microcline, anorthoclase, albite, quartz and illite. Through optical microscopy and electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), rare earth minerals (monazite and xenotime) and radioactive minerals (thorite and thorium silicate ± uranium) were identified. Additionally, granitic rocks of the South Coastal Batholith around this pegmatite show rare earth minerals (monazite and allanite).

Distribution of Rare Earth Elements plus Yttrium among Major Mineral Phases of Marine Fe–Mn Crusts from the South China Sea and Western Pacific Ocean: A Comparative Study

Marine hydrogenetic Fe–Mn crusts on seamounts are known as potential mineral resources of rare earth elements plus yttrium (REY). In recent years, increasing numbers of deposits of Fe–Mn crusts and nodules were discovered in the South China Sea (SCS), yet the enrichment mechanism of REY is yet to be sufficiently addressed. In this study, hydrogenetic Fe–Mn crusts from the South China Sea (SCS) and the Western Pacific Ocean (WPO) were comparatively studied with mineralogy and geochemistry. In addition, we used an in situ REY distribution mapping method, implementing laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and a sequential leaching procedure to investigate the partitioning behavior of REY in the Fe–Mn crusts. The typical Fe–Mn crusts from SCS were mainly composed of quartz, calcite, vernadite (δ-MnO2), and amorphous Fe oxides/hydroxides (FeOOH). The Fe–Mn crusts from the Central SCS Basin and the WPO contained quartz, δ-MnO2, FeOOH, todorokite, and phillipsite. Furthermore, geochemical analysis indicated that the typical SCS crusts had a higher growth rate and lower REY concentrations. The LA-ICP-MS mapping results showed that the δ-MnO2 and FeOOH dominated the occurrence phases of REY in the SCS crusts. Four mineral phases (i.e., easily exchangeable and carbonate, Mn-oxide, amorphous FeOOH, and residual aluminosilicates) in these Fe–Mn crusts were separated by a sequential leaching procedure. In the SCS and WPO crusts, the majority of total REY (ΣREY) was distributed in the Mn-oxide and amorphous FeOOH phases. The post-Archean Australian shale-normalized REY patterns showed that light REY (LREY) and heavy REY (HREY) were preferentially adsorbed onto δ-MnO2 and FeOOH, respectively. It is noteworthy that ~27% of ΣREY was associated with the residual aluminosilicates phase of the WPO crusts. The La/Al ratios in the aluminosilicates phase of the typical SCS crusts were the values of the upper crust. We conclude that large amounts of terrigenous materials dilute the abundance of REY in the SCS crusts. In addition, the growth rates of Fe–Mn crusts have a negative correlation with the FeOOH-bound and aluminosilicate-bound REY. As a result of the fast growth rates, the SCS crusts contain relatively low concentrations of REY.

Mineral resource potential and key exploration areas of JiangNan metallogenic belt*

The Jiangnan metallogenic belt, with an area of about 167,400 square kilometres, spans Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan provinces. Its main body is the same as the northern part of the original Qin-Hang metallogenic belt. Its geotectonics belongs to the plate bonding belt that is formed by the collision of the Yangtze and HuaXia ancient land in the Neoproterozoic. Since the Middle Proterozoic, the stratigraphic development of each era has been relatively complete in this region, the geological structure is complex, and the magma activity is frequent. The ore-forming geological conditions are superior. More than 1,280 important minerals such as coal, iron, copper and gold have been discovered, including more than 300 large and medium-sized mineral deposits. The copper, gold, tungsten, silver, lithium, phosphorus and uranium mineral resources in this area have great potential. The predicted resources in this area are 14 million tons of copper, 500 tons of gold, 4.3 million tons of tungsten and 8.5 million tons of lead and zinc, which have great prospects for prospecting. There are 13 key exploration areas in this metallogenic belt.